InnovateX Program
InnovateX
Join the next generation of young innovators!
InnovateX is a 12-week, small-group, mentor-led AI innovation program where students build authentic passion projects in the domains they care about. Students learn Python and AI fundamentals, identify real-world problems through structured research, and develop feasible AI solutions using a proven innovation framework, culminating in a portfolio-worthy group project and Demo Day presentation.
This is a must-do program for ambitious students preparing for majors or minors in computer science, data science, biomedical engineering, and other AI- and coding-related fields.
Please note: The program is directly taught by Dr. Vinitha Subbhuraam, a top 1% computer science researcher, applied AI scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in translating AI research into real-world products. To ensure personalized guidance, cohort sizes are small, and spots are limited.
Ingredients of Innovation
Why Research?
To identify true unmet needs. Innovation isn’t about building cool tech for its own sake. It is about solving real problems! Robust research uncovers user pain points, workflow, system inefficiencies, and the actual gaps that need addressing. Without it, solutions are often misdirected and fail to gain adoption.
Why AI?
To turn overwhelming data into powerful insights. Data is everywhere and holds immense potential to solve complex problems. Yet, without analysis, data remains untapped. AI uncovers patterns, correlations, and opportunities that lie beyond human perception, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making.
Why Entrepreneurial Mindset?
To translate bold ideas into reality. An entrepreneurial mindset challenges the status quo, spots hidden opportunities, and creates pathways to launch impactful solutions into the real world.
Welcome to the ONE program that teaches it all!
Curriculum Structure
Part 1
In the first half of the program, students will learn Python for AI and then the fundamentals of AI/ML, including a step-by-step model-building framework. Then they will be introduced to the first half of the CONNECT-7TM Innovation framework, which guides them to identify a meaningful real-world challenge, explore its broader ecosystem, generate cross-disciplinary ideas (interdisciplinary innovation), and choose a solution worth building.
Part 2
In the second half of the program, students uncover the rest of the CONNECT-7TM framework, which focuses on bringing their ideas to life. They will use their AI skills to prepare a dataset and build a prototype. They will then master the fundamentals of academic publishing and also learn the art of pitching, exploring what it takes to move their idea forward through publication, continued innovation, or even a future 1:1 IMPACT Labs Fellowship via the ScholarX program.
Part 3
The program culminates in Demo Day, where they will present their prototype to invited guests, fellow teammates, friends, and family. They will graduate with a certificate, walk away with a portfolio-ready project that reflects not just what they learned, but what they innovated, and will also will personal feedback on their next path.
Program Information
Prerequisities
High school and college students (ambitious 8th graders may apply)
Ideal for students exploring STEM careers and academic pathways, not just computer science
Ideal for those preparing for college and internship applications, science fairs, hackathons, etc.
Basic coding knowledge is helpful but not required.
Format & Fees
Format: 11 live online small-group sessions of 2 hours each, ending with a 2-hour Demo Day
Student-to-mentor ratio: 20:1 for lectures and 4:1 for projects
Price: $999 $897
All payments are fully refundable before the cohort start date. Once the program begins, payments are non-refundable regardless of attendance or participation. First 10 applicants/cohort receive a 20% discount.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available; please indicate your interest in the application form.
Outcome: A group project in their domain of interest
Schedule
Upcoming Cohort: Feb 2026 to April 2026
Schedules: Choose 1.
Cohort 1:
Sundays, Feb 1 – Apr 26, 2026,
3:00–5:00 PM CST
(No class on Mar 15)
Cohort 2:
Mondays, Feb 2 – Apr 27, 2026,
7:00–9:00 PM CST
(No class on Mar 16)
Student Showcase
The projects below were developed by teams who pitched their ideas as founders. In this program, you will learn to present your innovation both as an academic researcher and as an entrepreneur.
AI for well-being
GlucoAI
AI for Parkinson’s detection
Advance with ScholarX: Our 1:1 AI Research Mentorship Program
ScholarX is for highly motivated, self-driven, ambitious students who have a decent grasp of Python coding and a strong interest in building AI models to solve a real-world problem and publishing in an academic journal.
IMPACT Labs Academy 