The Press Start CoLab High School Program

Learn how to turn an idea into a business or project that supports the mental health of youth in your school or community.

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$25,000 in Grant Funding^*

Now in its third year and the exclusive focus of Press Start, the CoLab High School Program brings an innovation accelerator experience directly to Ontario high school students. What began with our flagship community giveback initiative for changemakers age 18–29, has been thoughtfully shaped over into an experience designed exclusively for high school students and the educators who champion them.

Over 7 weeks, student teams develop a real solution to a youth mental health challenge, work alongside peers and a member of the education community, and pitch for grant funding to bring their idea to life. Throughout the program, teams are supported by mentors, an inspirational keynote speaker, and equipped with practical tools for idea creation, collaboration, and bringing projects to life. Participants will attend one Challenge Session, focused on inspired learning from a keynote speaker, and three Co-Creation Sessions, focused on collaboration and mentorship from experienced mental health entrepreneurs and academic experts.

*Grant funding will be distributed across multiple successful ideas.

Apply for the Fall 2026 Program!

Applications are open until October 6, 2026.

For Educators

If you're a teacher, education worker, guidance counsellor, or social worker aged 18+ and employed in the Ontario education system, you're in the right place.

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Sub-Focus Areas

Groups will work together to develop their creative solutions that address at least 1 of the 3 sub-focus areas of mental health.

De-Stigmatizing
Mental Health

Cultivating mental health literacy, fostering awareness, and enhancing communication through open dialogues around mental health.

Building Confidence
and Self Image

Celebrating individuality and amplifying diverse perspectives and voices to nurture confidence and positive self-image.

Creating Safe Spaces
for Connectedness

Creating accessible community spaces that foster connection and belonging, empowering others to speak openly about mental health in a safe and supportive environment.

Program Details At-a-Glance

Who can join?

Applications: Open to Ontario high school students and members of the educational community
Background: Interest in positive social change; Volunteer or extracurricular experience
Registration fee: No
Groups: 2–5 Ontario high school students with 1 group leader, who is a member of the educational community and is 18+ years old.

When is it?

Event duration: 7 weeks
Start date: October 22, 2026
End date: December 10, 2026
Awards date: December 10, 2026

Program Kick-Off

October 22, 2026
4-6pm EST

Co-Creation Session 1

October 29, 2026
4-5pm EST

Co-Creation Session 2

November 5, 2026
4-5pm EST

Challenge Speaker

November 12, 2026
4-5pm EST

Co-Creation Session 3

November 19, 2026
4-5pm EST

Proposals Due

November 26, 2026
11:59pm EST

Grants & Awards Ceremony

December 10, 2026
4-6pm EST

Promotional Partners

Fall 2026 CoLab High School Program Speaker

At the midpoint of the program student teams attend a virtual Challenge Session featuring a guest speaker whose work and experience speaks directly to our sub-focus areas. Their story is meant to inspire and embolden new thinking and energize teams for the second half of their projects.

Kwame Osei

Master of Ceremonies

Kwame Osei is a dynamic professional host & keynote speaker for seminars, corporate & school events, youth & charitable events, and non-profit organizations. Kwame was awarded a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee pin for his significant contribution as a teacher and mentor to inmates of maximum security in his community by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Kwame Osei’s presentations focus on inspiring change, action and growth, pushing people to broaden their perspective and take control of their personal growth. After being exposed to the street culture of Rexdale, Toronto, Kwame used the power of sport and sports mindset to overcome all obstacles to become a CFL player, teacher, football coach, entrepreneur and community leader. Kwame Osei is a dynamic keynote speaker who teaches fundamental tools he learned throughout his life to empower others through a diverse lens.

Maryanne Oketch

Program Speaker

Maryanne Oketch is a familiar face because of her appearance on CBS's hit show, Survivor. She was known for her positivity, optimism, and genuine joy during her time on the island. She was the second black woman and the second Canadian to win the 42nd season, outsmarting 17 other contestants to become the "Sole Survivor". Maryanne is passionate about empowering the next generation to share their talent and stories to make change in their communities. Today, Maryanne works as a Host at TVO on their show "Nerds on Healthcare," and is in her third year of medical school at Western University.

Fall 2026 CoLab High School Program Mentors

Throughout the program, student teams are supported by mentors who bring experience, guidance, and additional perspective. Mentors are there to support teams from early ideas all the way to being ready to submit their proposals.

Jessie Sidhu

Jessie Sidhu is a storyteller, educator, and community builder dedicated to creating spaces where people feel they belong. As Founder and CEO of Melanated Guide Inc., she helps organizations create meaningful, lasting change through inclusion, leadership, mental health, and community. Drawing on experience across education, healthcare, arts and culture, and the non-profit sector, Jessie makes complex conversations accessible and actionable, empowering individuals and teams to lead with curiosity, courage, compassion, and authentic connection.

Kyle Moore

Kyle Moore is a mental health advocate, podcaster, and Labs Program Manager and Head of Mental Health Programming at the League of Innovators. Through LOI’s Labs program, he has worked with over 700 young Canadian innovators, developing mental health and performance supports that help founders grow without losing themselves in the process. Drawing from lived experience, Kyle hosts the Life’s a Wreck podcast and speaks across Canada about founder mental health and the realities of entrepreneurship.

Chey Kidd

Chey (any/all pronouns) is a professional 3D animator/artist, award-winning founder of “Frog Pockets,” a sensory-friendly startup creating removable textured pocket liners, and a local leader of more than a dozen fully funded community grant projects. Proudly queer, autistic, disabled, and a young parent, Chey focuses on creativity and resourcefulness. Their...

Joshua Nanan

Joshua Nanan is the founder of Project FitMind, a social impact initiative advancing mental health and recovery through innovative community-based solutions. A University of Toronto Scarborough student specializing in mental health studies, he combines lived experience, academic learning, and community leadership to empower individuals and strengthen communities. An alum of Press Start CoLab, Joshua returns as a mentor for the 2026 Fall High School CoLab program, inspiring young changemakers to lead with purpose and create lasting community impact.

Lucie Soicher

Lucie was a 2024 Press Start CoLab grant recipient, using it to build out The Addy Club — a Toronto-based apparel brand and community by and for women with ADHD, born from her own late diagnosis. As a mentor, she's here to help this year's students turn their own ideas into something real.

What People are Saying

“When I stepped up as a mentor, I learned to really resonate with different qualities within myself and apply them in ways that helped others. Sometimes it was the best qualities and successes that were able to guide students and sometimes it was the difficult qualities and struggles that I was able to connect with them on and reassure them through. Being a mentor is more than just about being successful. It's about knowing how to frame failure as a way forward. This experience allows our mentors to provide insight into how to make the most of Press Start's tools and share key learnings as experienced mental health entrepreneurs.”

Chey Kidd, Mentor

FAQ'S

What is the CoLab High School Program?

Will the program be remote or in-person?

Is an application fee required?

Who qualifies as a member of the educational community?

What types of projects / entrepreneurial ideas have previous participant groups created?

Who can apply?

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