Budget
This is that dollar. Stanford CREATE+AI is the catalyst that proves the model and unlocks what comes next.
This $50,000 investment delivers a working pilot with real outcomes—96 students, 12 employer partners, validated portfolios. Nothing is overhead—every dollar builds real infrastructure that delivers immediate value to pilot students and employers. Scaling nationally will require additional investment, and this proof-of-concept makes that investment possible.
$50,000 Resource Allocation
| Category | Amount | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Development | $20,000 | 40% | SkaFld Trailhead feature completion, AI coaching engine, portfolio system |
| Pilot Implementation | $12,000 | 24% | El Segundo coordination, employer onboarding, curriculum materials |
| Assessment & Measurement | $8,000 | 16% | Learning outcome tracking, portfolio evaluation, research documentation |
| Operations & Contingency | $10,000 | 20% | Legal/compliance, travel, admin overhead, and 6% buffer for unexpected costs |
| Total | $50,000 | 100% |
Budget Justification
Platform Development ($20,000)
Purpose: Building the "SkaFld Trailhead" infrastructure that makes the model scalable beyond a single district.
- AI Coaching Engine: Completing the Socratic questioning module that guides students through problem decomposition.
- Portfolio System: Developing the employer-facing review portal for validated assessment.
- Student Journey: Finalizing the gamified progression paths for the pilot cohort.
Why This Investment Matters: This is the highest leverage investment. By digitizing the methodology into a platform, we move from a service-heavy consulting model to a scalable SaaS product that can reach thousands of districts.
Pilot Implementation ($12,000)
Purpose: Ensuring the El Segundo pilot (96 students, 8 teams) is a resounding success.
- Coordination: On-the-ground management of weekly sessions and teacher mentor support.
- Employer Onboarding: Structured intake for the 12 employer partners providing projects.
- Curriculum: Adapting the "SkaFld Ideation Methodology" into classroom-ready guides.
Assessment & Measurement ($8,000)
Purpose: Validating learning outcomes to prove the model works (crucial for Stanford alignment).
- Outcome Tracking: Measuring "decomposition thinking" and "AI literacy" gains.
- Portfolio Evaluation: Managing the external review process to ensure objectivity.
- Research Documentation: Capturing data for future grant applications and policy papers.
Operations & Contingency ($10,000)
Purpose: Essential logistics and risk management.
- Operations ($7k): Covers travel for team coordination, legal compliance for student data privacy (COPPA/FERPA), and administrative overhead.
- Contingency ($3k): A standard buffer for unforeseen expenses during the 12-month pilot to ensure uninterrupted execution.
Sustainability Plan: Year 2 and Beyond
Year 1 Stanford funding establishes the model and generates the evidence. Year 2+ becomes self-sustaining through recurring district contracts and employer partnerships—because we've proven the model works.
Why This Becomes Fundable
The $521/student program cost (96 students / $50,000) is the key metric that unlocks sustainable funding. Districts and employers can budget for this—it's comparable to other CTE programs but with validated outcomes they can't get elsewhere.
| Revenue Source | Year 2+ Contribution | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| District CTE Budget Integration | $20,000 | Districts allocate CTE funds for programs with proven employment outcomes |
| Employer Partnership Contributions | $15,000 | Companies invest in pipeline programs that deliver job-ready candidates |
| Workforce Development Grants | $10,000 | DOL and state workforce boards fund validated career pathways |
| In-Kind Employer Contributions | $10,000 | Project mentorship, facility access, internship slots |
The Stanford CREATE+AI investment proves the model. With Year 1 evidence in hand, we approach district superintendents and employer partners with demonstrated outcomes at a fundable price point. Additional investment for platform scaling follows from proven results.
At $521 per student (96 students / $50,000), AI Studio Teams delivers employer-validated career preparation at a fraction of traditional workforce development program costs. This price point is the unlock: it's low enough for district CTE budgets, attractive enough for employer co-investment, and proven enough for workforce development grants. The per-student investment produces documented, verified capability that directly translates to employment opportunity—and that's the evidence that makes Year 2+ funding conversations possible.