A Silicon Valley accelerator for teen builders 🚀

We teach middle and high school students the same AI tools real tech companies use — so they don't just learn to code. They build, launch, and present a real product in one weekend.

Idea on Saturday. Live product by Sunday. Demo that same night.

Apply for the founding cohort See how it works
Format
Weekend, in person
Cohort
8 builders
Ages
12 to 18
Location
Palo Alto, CA
First cohort
Free by application
Many parents see their child's potential but don't know how to help them turn curiosity into something practical.
What we hear from parents

Why we started

If one kid can build it, others can too

SV Lions started from a simple realization: when you give a young person the right tools, a supportive environment, and someone telling them they can do it — they build.

It was proven with PromptPin.ai, a real product with real users, designed and shipped by a 14 year old. Not because he was a prodigy, but because he was handed the tools and encouraged to try.

That's the whole idea. Building real things isn't rocket science anymore. The barrier was never talent — it was access, structure, and belief.

So we built SV Lions to give that same environment to more kids. A focused week where young builders are trusted with real tools, guided by people who've shipped, and shown that they're capable of far more than anyone expected.

Real product Real users Shipped at 14
Esad Bulbul at his desk with PromptPin.ai live on screen

Esad (14) built PromptPin.ai in under a week, with zero technical background — using the same tools today's tech giants build with. Read his story on LinkedIn →

What is SV Lions

Not a coding camp. A product accelerator.

We don't teach kids how to code. We teach them how to use AI tools to make the AI write the code for them — no technical background required. Students learn to think like product builders: choose a real problem, design the experience, direct the AI, and ship something real to a live audience.

Product thinking

Students learn how to choose a problem, define a user, and scope a product they can actually ship.

AI assisted building

Students learn to use tools like Claude, Claude Code, Figma, GitHub, Supabase, and Vercel as part of a real product workflow.

Launch mindset

Students learn that shipping something real, getting feedback, and improving fast beats waiting for perfect.

Why SV Lions exists

Young people are more capable than most adults realize

The fastest path from idea to product has never been shorter. With modern AI tools, a motivated teenager can build things that once required a full technical team.

But the biggest gap is not access to tools. The real gap is confidence, guidance, structure, and permission. Many students have ideas but don't know where to start. Many parents see their child's potential but don't know how to help them turn curiosity into something practical.

SV Lions exists to create that room — a focused week where students are trusted with real tools, real expectations, and real support.

How the weekend works

One weekend. One product. A live demo.

Three focused sessions over a weekend, each with one clear goal. Students build step by step, with mentor guidance and peer feedback, finishing with a Sunday evening demo to a live audience.

  1. FridayEvening · setup

    Get set up and pick the idea

    A short evening kickoff. Together we set up every tool the pros use — GitHub, Claude, Claude Code, Supabase, Vercel — so everything works before the building begins. Each student leaves knowing what they want to build.

    tool setupaccounts readypick your ideascope it down
  2. Saturday9 AM – 5 PM

    Design it and build the core

    Morning: define the problem, the user, and design the first version of the interface. Afternoon: build the one feature that makes the product valuable. By the end of the day, something real is running.

    problem & userfirst screenscore featurementor review
  3. Sunday9 AM – 5 PM

    Launch, polish, and prepare to present

    Morning: deploy the product to a live URL and get it in front of a first real user. Afternoon: polish, fix what's confusing, and rehearse a short demo. New building stops mid-afternoon so everyone is ready to present.

    live URLreal feedbackpolishdemo rehearsal
  4. SundayEvening · demo

    Demo night

    Students present their live product to parents, mentors, and invited guests. A short talk, a live demo on screen, and real questions. The weekend ends with something they built, shipped, and showed the world.

    live demoproduct launchreal audiencedemo video

What students leave with

The week ends.
The builder mindset stays.

Every student leaves with more than a certificate. They leave with proof that they can build something real.

A live product

A real product on a live URL the student can share with friends, family, schools, and future opportunities.

A product story

A clear story of what they built, who it helps, and why it matters.

A demo video

A recorded three minute product demo that shows their thinking, confidence, and ability to present.

A modern tool stack

Hands on experience with the tools used by real startup and product teams.

A peer group

A small cohort of other young builders who are also serious about creating.

A new level of confidence

The experience of going from idea to launch — and realizing they're capable of much more than they thought.

Who should apply

For curious students who want to build something real

SV Lions is for motivated students ages 12 to 18 who are curious about technology, design, AI, startups, games, websites, or creative problem solving. They don't need to be expert coders. They need curiosity, focus, and the willingness to keep going when something breaks.

This is a good fit if your child…

  • Has ideas they keep talking about
  • Loves technology, apps, design, games, AI, or creative projects
  • Has built something before, even something small
  • Wants to understand how real products are made
  • Can focus in person for a full week
  • Can receive honest, supportive feedback
  • Would be excited to present something they built

Students do not need…

  • Prior coding experience
  • A polished app idea
  • A specific GPA
  • A competition resume
  • Parents who work in tech
  • A finished portfolio

Our tools

The same tools tech giants use

SV Lions doesn't use watered down tools. Students learn a real modern product workflow — the same kind founders, designers, engineers, and AI product teams use every day.

The goal isn't to memorize every tool. It's to learn how to think, ask better questions, build faster, and use AI as a creative partner instead of a shortcut.

For parents

Built seriously. Supervised responsibly.

SV Lions is ambitious, but it's also designed with parents in mind. Students work in a focused, respectful, and supervised environment. The goal is to challenge them in a healthy way — not pressure them for the sake of pressure.

Parents receive clear details before the program begins: schedule, location, drop off and pick up, the tools used during the week, food, the emergency contact process, photo and video permissions, and demo night information.

Students may use online tools and AI platforms during the program. Parents are informed in advance about the tools being used and any account setup needed.

  • Adult supervision throughout the program
  • Clear daily structure
  • Parent communication before and during the week
  • Respectful feedback culture
  • Student projects remain owned by students
  • Parent permission required for participation
  • Demo night open to parents and invited guests

Format and logistics

Small cohort. Focused week. Real output.

Format
One weekend, in person
Friday
Evening setup & kickoff
Saturday
9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday
9 AM to 5 PM
Demo night
Sunday evening
Location
Palo Alto, California
Cohort size
8 builders
Ages
12 to 18
Meals
Lunch and snacks provided
Application
About 5 minutes
Decisions
Rolling

The founding cohort is free by application

We're using the first cohort as a proof of concept with a small group of selected students who are excited to build seriously. Future cohorts may include paid tuition, scholarships, school partnerships, and sponsored seats.

Who is behind SV Lions

Built by a founder, designer, builder, and father

SV Lions was founded by Matt Bulbul, a Silicon Valley product designer and AI product builder who has spent years designing digital products across startups, consumer apps, SaaS, and AI powered tools. The idea started after Matt watched his son learn modern AI tools from scratch and help ship a real product in one weekend.

The mission is simple: help more young builders experience what it feels like to turn an idea into something real.

Matt Bulbul

Founder & lead mentor

Matt Bulbul

Matt is a senior product designer, startup builder, and AI product creator with experience building consumer products, AI tools, and startup experiences. He brings a product quality mindset from Silicon Valley into a program designed for young builders.

Esad Bulbul

Founding builder & resident teen mentor

Esad Bulbul

Esad learned the modern AI product stack from scratch and helped ship PromptPin.ai. He supports students from the perspective of someone their own age who has gone through the same process, faced the same confusion, and learned how to keep building — a real example they can relate to.

Get involved

Help us build SV Lions

SV Lions is built with the help of parents who give time and partners who give support. Two ways to be part of it.

Volunteer

Help run the weekend

Parents and community members who want to be hands-on — from set-up to demo night. Bring whatever skill or time you have.

  • Logistics
  • On-site supervision
  • Technical mentoring
  • Food & transport
  • Photography
  • Demo night
Sign up to volunteer

Sponsor

Back the next cohort

Companies and individuals who want to fund seats, contribute tools, host the venue, or otherwise help young builders ship.

  • Cash sponsorship
  • Tools & credits
  • Venue
  • Food
  • Scholarships
  • In-kind
Become a sponsor

Applications open

Apply for the founding cohort

Eight seats. One weekend. A real product by the end. The founding SV Lions cohort is free by application.

We're looking for curious, motivated students who want to build something real and are ready to be fully present for the week.

You don't need to know how to code. You don't need a perfect idea. You only need curiosity, effort, and the courage to start.

Apply for the founding cohort
Rolling applications Decisions rolling Free by application Ages 12 to 18 Palo Alto, CA

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is this only for students who already know how to code?

No. Prior coding experience is helpful, but not required. SV Lions is designed for motivated students who want to build. Students learn to use modern AI tools, product thinking, design, and guided workflows to create a real product.

What will students actually build?

Students build small but real digital products — a website, tool, AI powered experience, student productivity app, creative platform, or another focused idea. The goal isn't to build something huge. It's to build something real, useful, and shareable.

Is this a coding bootcamp?

No. Coding bootcamps usually focus on technical lessons. SV Lions focuses on the full product journey: idea, user, design, build, launch, feedback, and demo. Students learn how real products are made.

Is the first cohort really free?

Yes. The founding cohort is free by application. We're using the first cohort as a proof of concept to help a small group of students build real products and shape the future of SV Lions. Future cohorts may include tuition, scholarships, school partnerships, and sponsored seats.

Will parents be able to attend demo night?

Yes. Parents are invited to demo night, where students present the products they built during the week.

Will students own their projects?

Yes. Students own the ideas and projects they build. SV Lions helps them learn, build, and present, but the work belongs to the student.

What if my child doesn't have an idea yet?

That's completely okay. Some students arrive with an idea; others discover one during the Friday kickoff. Mentors help students choose a problem that is realistic, meaningful, and possible to build in one weekend.

How competitive is the application?

The cohort is small, so we select students based on curiosity, motivation, and readiness to participate fully. We're not looking for perfect resumes — we're looking for students who are excited to build.