Real connections.
Real growth. Built in New York

Join a life-changing innovation program for teens – in person. Build world-changing projects, grow your mindset, and connect face-to-face with a local cohort of future leaders.
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Supported by
Innovation Leaders

PLAY
 Our in-person programs are supported by leading organizations that help us deliver world-class opportunities, mentorship, and outcomes

Your experience at TKS

Below is an overview of the program:

Consistent Rhythm. High-Energy Sessions.

TKS city programs run weekly 3-hour in-person sessions from September to June. You’ll join a fixed cohort with a set day and time – usually weekends. The consistency helps build deep relationships, team chemistry, and focused momentum over time.

Kickoff
Kick off TKS with a bang, meet the other students in your cohort and start to build new friendships. Learn what to expect from the program, get excited, and experience your first taste of the TKS community.
Week 1
Unconventional Thinking
Understand how you can have asymmetric impact on the world and why unconventional thinking is a necessary ingredient on your journey. "In order to achieve unconventional success, you must take an unconventional path." - Nadeem Nathoo, TKS Founder
Week 2
Next Big Thing
Collaborate in teams to research and present what you think the next big thing will be and why it will shift humanity's trajectory. "The best way to predict the future, is to create it." - Peter Drucker
Week 3
Artificial Intelligence
Create applications using artificial intelligence, while exploring the implications of this technology on the future. Learn how companies like OpenAI and DeepMind are shaping the future of work, art, education, and business.
Week 4
Blockchain
Have you heard of Cryptocurrency, NFTs, or DAOs? These are all built on blockchains. Learn how to create your own decentralized app (dApp), crypto project, or NFT, while understanding how blockchain can be applied to solve real problems.
Week 5
Life & Success
Engage in deep philosophical discussions about life. Critically analyze and discuss what success means to you versus what society defines it as, and how you can create your own path to success.
Week 6
Human Longevity
Scientific advancements are increasing human longevity in areas including cellular senescence, telomeres, regenerative medicine, immunology, and gene editing. Learn about these new areas while discussing the ethical implications of increasing lifespan.
Week 7
Explore Hackathon
Design solutions to important problems using the emerging technologies and sciences that you've been exposed to, and present your ideas to a panel of expert judges with background in areas like AI, synthetic biology and more.
Week 8
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brainstorm new uses for BCIs that will shape our lifestyle in the coming decades. Companies like Neuralink, Kerel, and Neurable are bridging the gap between human brains and machines to solve neurological disorders and control prosthetic body parts.
Week 9
Real-World Challenge (1/3)
The best way to learn how to solve real-world problems is by working with a company on a challenge they're facing. In this session you'll choose between multiple challenges based on your interests and start researching a solution.
Week 10
Real-World Challenge (2/3)
Learn about mental models and problem-solving frameworks like First Principles Thinking and MECE Analysis to develop viable solutions that the company you're working with can implement. In the real world, there's no answers at the back of the textbook.
Week 11
Real-World Challenge (3/3)
Review your final recommendations and submit your proposal to the company. in the session, you'll do a post-mortem to reflect on your learnings from the challenge, transferrable skills you learned, and obstacles you faced.
Week 12
Global Community
In this highly engaging and fun session you'll meet like-minded TKS students from around the world. You'll also get a chance to learn more about the other TKS directors, their backgrounds, expertise, and personalities.
Week 13
Genetic Engineering
The new gene editing technology, CRISPR, has pushed the boundaries for scientific research and our ability to cure deadly diseases. Learn how we can apply gene editing and sequencing to cure cancer, malaria, and solve birth defects in babies before they're born.
Week 14
Quantum Computing
Discover the next wave of computing that is being powered by Quantum Computers, which use qubits and quantum gates to solve highly complex problems with large data sets that supercomputers are not able to solve.
Week 15
Metaverse
Virtual and augmented reality are creating new worlds for people to live in. In this session, collaborate with each other to brainstorm new opportunities that can exist in the Metaverse and design solutions to make it happen.
Week 16
Focus Hackathon
Work in teams to design solutions to some of the world’s most important problems using the intersection of multiple Focus areas - your chosen area of interest! Present your solutions to experts and get feedback on your ideas.
Week 17
Mental Models
To prepare for the Global Challenge, go deeper into mental models and apply them to problems like solving world hunger. This session provides you with a better understanding of advanced problem-solving frameworks.
Week 18
Harvard Business Case
Experience what it’s like going to Harvard Business School (HBS) by working on a Harvard Case. You’ll train advanced analytical skills and learn about how to solve business problems.
Week 19
Global Challenge (1/3)
You’ll work in teams to tackle global challenges, perform experiential research, and create a in-depth recommendations. Previously, students have worked with organizations like the United Nations, Airbnb, and Microsoft for the Global Challenge.
Week 20
Global Challenge (2/3)
Understanding problems is critical to solving them. You will learn how to deeply understand your challenge problem by doing stakeholder interviews and breaking down how to ask good questions to uncover valuable data.
Week 21
Global Challenge (3/3)
Learn how to give high quality feedback, then in groups provide feedback to other students on their recommendations. You will leave with clarity, action items to improve your recommendations, and goals you want to hit.
Week 22
Global Community
Reconnect with the TKS global community in this highly engaging and fun session. Engage with others from around the world in a collaborative post-mortem to reflect on learnings, struggles, best practices, and learnings from failures.
Week 23
World's Biggest Problems
Learn how you can impact billions by understanding the root causes behind some of the world's biggest problems, and using a root cause analysis framework to brainstorm potential approaches to solve them.
Week 24
World Hunger
Identify potential solutions to reduce world hunger using the WBP framework, which includes identifying root causes and weaknesses of the existing solutions to come up with a viable hypothesis.
Week 25
Moonshot Projects (1/4)
Get introduced to Moonshot thinking and how Google created a division, The Moonshot Factory, to build Moonshot Projects. Learn how to "Think 10x" to solve problems using emerging technologies in ways that haven't been done before.
Week 26
Moonshot Projects (2/4)
Analyze frameworks that innovative companies use to create disruptive technologies, including learning how to prioritize right problems, embracing failure, killing projects early, and iterating. Work on your projects in teams.
Week 27
Moonshot Projects (3/4)
This session is focused on developing a deep technical understanding of your Moonshot project. Identify the technical gap, find experts to connect with who can help you, and bridge the gap to transform your idea into a feasible solution.
Week 28
Moonshot Projects (4/4)
Work on your Moonshots in teams. In this session, you'll also learn how important company culture is from organizations like Google and SpaceX, and how culture is foundational to creating transformative innovation.
Week 29
Moonshot Presentations
Present your Moonshots to a panel of judges from some of the world's most innovative and disruptive companies. The judges will ask hard questions and give you feedback/advice if you plan on pursuing your idea.
Week 30
TKS Showcase
Showcase your projects and growth during the year-end TKS Showcase. Network with guests, which will include venture capital investors, CEOs, startup founders, executives, and TKS alumni.
Week 31
Self-Awareness
Reflect on the exponential growth you've experienced during TKS, and how that will enable you to accelerate your trajectory. You'll be asked deep questions that will make you reflect and have important insights.
Week 32
Global Alumni Event
Join the global TKS alumni community as an official alumni. Spark new friendships and networks with hundreds of other TKS alumni from around the world who are building companies, working at leading research labs, and attending top-tier universities.
Week 33
Summer Internships
Many students secure summer internships at companies. Apply the skills, knowledge, and mindsets you learned during TKS to the real-world and experience how innovative companies and startups operate.
Summer
Activate (Year 2)
The second year of TKS is heavily focused on global problems and applying the knowledge learned during the first year of TKS. Students must apply again and be accepted to join Activate.
Year 2

Belong to Something Bigger – Right Where You Are.

At TKS, your cohort becomes more than classmates – they become your crew. You’ll bond through in-person sessions, events, and shared challenges.

You’ll also connect with the global TKS community of students and alumni who share your passion for growth and innovation.

Train Your Mind Like You Train a Muscle

Every TKS session begins with a mindset.

Through hands-on exercises, group reflections, and real-world examples, students learn how to shift their thinking and take control of how they approach challenges. These mindsets become part of who they are – both inside and outside the classroom.

Solve Real Problems. Collaborate with Real Companies.

In our in-person program, students collaborate in teams to tackle real challenges from global companies.

With the guidance of mentors and support from their cohort, they learn how to break down complex problems and develop ideas that could have real impact and present them to professionals who care.

MICROSOFT

At Microsoft, innovation means taking complex systems and making them simple, useful, and global. In TKS, you’ll practice the same mindset — breaking problems into parts and designing solutions that can scale to millions.

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BENCHSI

Scientific discovery moves fast when ideas are tested with data and clarity. At TKS, you’ll learn to think like a researcher — turning curiosity into experiments, and experiments into real breakthroughs.

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WALMART

The world’s largest companies succeed by building systems that work at scale. At TKS, you’ll learn frameworks to analyze complexity, design smarter processes, and create solutions that can impact everyday life.

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XPRIZE

XPRIZE rewards ideas that push humanity forward. In TKS, you’ll train to think 10x bigger — developing bold solutions that challenge limits and open up entirely new possibilities.

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UNITED NATIONS

Global challenges aren’t solved by one person — they require empathy, collaboration, and clear problem-solving. At TKS, you’ll practice these skills, just like leaders at the UN work to create change worldwide.

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KIDOGO

Some problems demand simple, human-centered solutions. At TKS, you’ll learn to design with empathy — building ideas that make a real difference for communities, just like Kidogo transforms early education.

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AIRBNB

Industries are reinvented when people reimagine how we connect. At TKS, you’ll explore how trust, design, and bold ideas can disrupt the status quo — the same principles that helped Airbnb change travel forever.

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GOOGLE

The most innovative companies thrive on analytical thinking paired with bold action. In TKS, you’ll develop that mindset — solving problems with clarity and creativity, just like Google’s teams around the world.

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Move fast. Think big. Build in 24 hours.

Our in-person hackathons bring students together for intense, hands-on sessions where they brainstorm, prototype, and pitch solutions to real-world problems – all in just 24 hours.

These events are more than just a challenge, they’re a chance to discover how much you can do with the right mindset and the right team.

Work With Experts. Get Personal Guidance

In the in-person experience, you’ll meet mentors both locally and globally.

From industry veterans to rising stars, our mentors help students think critically, solve problems creatively, and stay accountable – both in sessions and beyond.

Ahmed Adel
Microsoft
Afraj Gill
On Deck
Akriti Kedia
Honeywell
Abhishek Somani
Coinbase
Afzal Suleman
University of Victoria
Adam Molnar
Neurable
Alana Podrx
Eve Wealth
Alex Shee
Sama
Ali Amin
Apple
Ali Yousefi
Neurable
Alex Trott
Salesforce
Aly Dhalla
Finaeo
Alyf Janmohamed
Cornell
Amber Foucault
Drop
Andres Forsland
Cognixion
Andy Anthony
Instacart
Andy Yang
Indiegogo
Anna Baird
Google
Anjeli Doty
Harvard
Atlee Clark
Shopify
Ben Walters
Hopper
Audrey Scholz
BASF
Bert Moons
Qualcomm
Bhavya Shah
Google
Bianca Boyd
Edelman
Carol Mazzoni
RDM
Bruno Rousseau
Mila
Christal Wang
shimmer
Chris Stefanyk
Wattpad
Charles Lu
LexCheck
Cyril Ebersweiler
SOSV
Darien Schettler
VMware
Daniel Weisman
Jabberwocky
Danish Dhamani
Orai
Davide Valeriani
Neurable
Aleksandr Stabenow
Sedna Technologies
Denis Villeneuve
Deloitte
Ehsan Amjadian
RBC
Doug van Spronsen
Versett
Elizabeth Caley
Poppy
Emilie Camera
Fikst
Emily Zhao
Meta
Ethan Siegel
1upHealth
Farid Haque
Accenture
Gautam Talagery
Ericsson
Garrett Flynn
Brains@Play
Eva Esteban
OpenBCI
Guoming Wang
Zapata
Hieu Hoang
Microsoft
Jamil Dewsi
DarwinAI
Ignacio Rozada
1QBit
Javad Shafiee
DarwinAI
Jay Goldman
Sensei Labs
Jay Luthar MD
MGH
Jonathan Jiang
NASA
Josef Scarantino
Techstars
John Wang
Deloitte
Joseph Cafazzo
University of Toronto
Jose Zea
ArkangelAI
Julia Kassam
CIBC
Julie Hansen
Salesforce
Karina Popovich
INERTIA
Kai Hudek
IonQ
Kashmera Self
Interac
Kevin Northrup
CIBC
Kevin Kung
Takachar
Kirstie Thompson
BASF
Kory Gorsky
GiveCloud
Latif Nanji
Roadmunk
Lina Ismail
The Catherine Wheel
Lee Bowman
Mediphage Bioceuticals
Lindsay Murphy
Maple
Liran Belenzon
BenchSci
Louis-David Mangin
Confiant
Luis Serrano
Zapata
Luke Morrison
WithYouWithMe
Manoj Thacker
Seedstars Switzerland
Marga Heras
Google
Maria V. Ruiz-Blondet
Neurable
Mario Mitchell
Dear Mama Fund
Mark Smith
Amazon
Marty Kratky-Katz
Blockthrough
Matthew Scholz
Oisin Biotechnologies
Mark Swihart
University of Buffalo
Matthew Lee
Apeel
Matt McKenna
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Matt O'Leary
Shopify
Matt Thomas
Deloitte
Mayuran Yogarajah
Index Exchange
Maziar Refahi
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Melissa Romulus Lisanti
PWC
Michael Healy
Unit Ventures
Michael Grad
Manulife
Michelle Gordon
Find Your Grind
Mihir Rajhansa
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Mike Bates
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Mohammed Alhuniti
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Moslem Noori
1QBit
Mudit Rawat
Planet Corp
Murat Beshtoev
Bayer

Build a Portfolio.Get Hired. Stand Out.

In our in-person programs, students gain internship opportunities through partner companies and TKS support.

You'll learn to present your work, build a professional profile, and prepare for interviews – all while developing the skills that top employers are looking for.

Sheryl Li
Yelim Kim
Swarit Dholakia
Tommy Moffat
Valkyrie Holmes
Stephanie Porfiris
Shagun Maheshwari
Satvik Agnihotri
Ryan Chan
Ramy Zhang
Matt Stokes
Kristina Arezina
Jerry Qu
Fatima Khawaja
Heya Desai
Jack Ceroni
Elena Mishina
Davide Radaelli
Ayleen Farnood
Ciara Sejour
Brianna Gopaul
Neha Shukla
Ananya Chadha
Ayaan Esmail
Arnav Shah
Allison Dana
Guido Putignano

Your Digital Toolkit for Growth

Our digital platform is where innovation meets experience.

Dive into emerging technologies at your own pace, access exclusive playbooks, and connect with the global TKS network beyond your local cohort.

Activity Feed

See what projects other TKS students are working on in our real-time activity page.

Explore Modules

Learn about over 40 emerging technologies and sciences at your own pace.

Playbooks and Resources

Access playbooks on over 30 topics like networking, productivity hacks, and mental wellness.

Braindates

Meet with TKS students and alumni from around the world to develop friendships, learn from each other, and grow together!

Events

See upcoming events, including guest speakers, workshops, and games nights.

... and so much more!

It’s simple to apply. We just want to know who you are.

Our application is designed to learn more about your curiosity and motivation – not your grades. It includes two steps:

We invest in you – and we’ll help you invest in yourself

Tuition for the program goes directly into employee salaries and operating costs. Our program directors and staff are full-time and 100% dedicated to our students and alumni.

Tuition (US Dollars):

$639 USD per month + deposit ($1,000 USD)

Duration:

  • The program is 10 months
  • September 2026 to June 2027

Financial Aid:

Our commitment is to support ambitious students regardless of their financial situation. To ensure support is going to the people who need it most, accepted students must apply for financial support and demonstrate their financial needs. Please don’t let your financial situation stop you from applying.

To learn more, click here.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers

Ready to join the next wave of innovators?
Apply Now