Students consulting with a neighborhood bakery owner

Students become AI consultants.Local businesses receive practical support.

The Big Idea

JA MainStreet AI closes the digital divide from both ends: students build future-of-work and durable human skills while local small businesses receive practical, human-reviewed AI support for everyday needs.

For Students

Real consulting practice, AI literacy, communication, teamwork, initiative, adaptability, ethical judgment, and client handoff experience.

For Businesses

A focused AI-supported tool built around a real pain point. It can help create useful first drafts, with JA review before handoff. The owner stays in control.

For Partners

Mentors and technology partners strengthen student communication, business thinking, technical skills, and responsible AI use while students lead the consulting work.

How the experience works

EngageMindset

›

InvestigateClient discovery

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ActBuild + test

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Handoff + ImpactTeach + measure

Students begin with JA-aligned workforce readiness and entrepreneurial skills, then investigate a business challenge, build and test a focused AI-supported tool, and practice teaching the recipient before Handoff + Impact.

What businesses may receive

Customer replies

#Social media ideas

Product or menu descriptions

Local search updates

Training notes

Shift handoff checklists

Vendor drafts

Business story drafts

Examples vary based on the business’s needs.

How partners can help

CoachSupport student interviews and active listening.

Skill-build + adviseShare technical perspective, career context, and practical feedback that strengthens student thinking.

JudgeEvaluate final solutions, usefulness, and clarity.

Now placing Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer cohorts.

Responsible AI Promise

Business-approved information. Human review before handoff. AI may help organize work and create first drafts; people review, edit, approve, and make decisions. The tool is not legal, tax, financial, HR, health, safety, or compliance advice.

Prepare Students to Become AI Consultants for Local Businesses

Students step into the role of consultants through either a real business client or an Approved Simulation. They investigate a defined business challenge, then design and build practical, AI-supported, human-reviewed solutions—developing durable skills such as communication, teamwork, initiative, customer focus, adaptability, and judgment alongside technical confidence.

Students collaborating with an educator on an AI project

What Students Will Gain

Discovery InterviewingConduct structured discovery with a real business representative or Approved Simulation facilitator.

Strategic Problem SolvingIdentify the source of a business challenge and design a targeted solution.

Practical AI ApplicationUse everyday AI tools effectively and ethically.

Professional CommunicationPresent solutions, explain their use, and respond to feedback.

Authentic Consulting PracticeSolve a realistic business challenge using evidence from the assigned client pathway.

Program Structure

Phase 1 – Engage

Onboarding, communication foundations, consultant mindset, and responsible AI ethics.

Phase 2 – Investigate

Team formation, structured discovery through the assigned pathway, and definition of the business challenge.

Phase 3 – Act

Build, test, and refine a focused AI-supported solution using owner-approved information.

Phase 4 – Handoff + Impact

Present the solution, explain its use, gather feedback, and reflect on the experience.

What students will produce

Discovery summaryA clear statement of the business need based only on evidence from the real-client or Approved Simulation pathway.

Focused AI-supported toolA practical tool that can help create useful first drafts around one defined business challenge; people review and decide.

Professional handoffA client-ready handoff or simulation presentation, tool explanation, and final delivery.

Program at a glance

Enrollment:Now placing Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer cohorts.

Format:9 core sessions + 4 flexible labs.

Delivery:Hybrid and in-person.

Pathway:Real client or Approved Simulation.

Ideal For:Grades 9–12; no AI background required.

AI-supported, human-reviewedApproved case or business-approved information; human review before Handoff; owner control for live-client operational use.

Current target markets

San Jose

Mountain View

Fremont

Walnut Creek

San Francisco

Platform & Innovation Partner

$500,000

Five markets + Rivie platform

Funds: Platform development, program management, and multi-city growth across all five target markets.

Brand Visibility: Regional presence, lead recognition, and premier launch visibility.

Employee Engagement: Priority mentor placements and executive judging opportunities.

Regional Scale Partner

$250,000

Two or more cities

Funds: Cohorts across multiple cities, equitable expansion, and broader youth access.

Brand Visibility: Prominent recognition across selected regional markets.

Employee Engagement: Volunteer integration for regional teams to mentor and coach.

City Anchor Partner

$100,000

20 students • 2 cohorts • 1 city

Funds: Twenty students across two cohorts in a single city.

Brand Visibility: Executive-presented city cohort branding and capstone visibility.

Employee Engagement: Guaranteed weekly coaching slots and executive access to capstone events.

Adopt-a-Cohort

$50,000

10 students • 1 local cohort

Funds: One local cohort of ten students, including milestone stipends, wardrobe, and local business outreach.

Brand Visibility: Logo placement on cohort materials and final deliverables.

Employee Engagement: Employees serve as senior partners, coaching and pressure-testing business logic.

Demo Day Sponsor

$25,000

1 regional capstone event

Funds: A high-production regional capstone where Bay Area students pitch their final AI solutions.

Brand Visibility: Premier event-space branding and a keynote speaking opportunity.

Employee Engagement: Mentors, speed-networkers, and judges during the showcase.

Student Squad Sponsor

$15,000

1 student team • 1 local business

Funds: A dedicated consulting squad delivering human-reviewed AI assistance to one local small business.

Brand Visibility: Recognition alongside student outreach and final client deliverables.

Employee Engagement: Join live client interviews and brainstorm alongside the sponsored squad.

Brand VisibilityReach business leaders, educators, families, and community partners across the Bay Area.

Employee EngagementMeaningful, skills-based volunteer opportunities that build leadership, teamwork, and purpose.