Budo Accelerator

As we were founded at the end of 2019, our first pilot program was scheduled to begin just as the pandemic hit. We quickly adapted our programs to an online format, which led to an unexpected transition from in-person engagement. This shift helped us develop digital infrastructure, enhancing our ability to deliver programs remotely and improving our long-term operational scalability. Our student base grew from 40 in 2021 to 260 post-pandemic, demonstrating the success of our programmatic approach. In 2021 we partnered with UC Irvine to offer our program for academic credit to their First-gen undergraduate students, and in 2022 we partnered with Simon Scholars and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation. In 2023 we were able to partner with Project Hope Alliance to bring our program to their at-risk and homeless youth. Also in 2023, through UCI’s Division of Continuing Ed, we are now able to offer UC academic credit to all high school and college students for participating in our programs (transferable to most UC, CSU, and community colleges). We currently serve over 250 high school and college students annually. We run programs in Orange County, CA and in late 2023 successfully began our first geographic expansion into San Mateo County, CA, where we partner with The Boys and Girls Club, Aikido West, and Peninsula Self Defense. In 2024, we continued to expand and strengthen our reach across California. We launched our first middle school pilot program in partnership with the Tiger Woods Foundation’s TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim, adapting our curriculum to support students ages 9–13 with age-appropriate martial arts training, leadership development, and early career exploration. Heading into 2025, we are scaling both our high school and middle school programs, with a focus on regional growth and long-term sustainability. We are preparing to launch new sites in underserved communities across California, while refining our digital infrastructure, training systems, and evaluation tools to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery. Our goal is to serve over 300 students in 2025, expand partnerships with schools and nonprofits, and strengthen pathways for youth leadership, mental wellness, and economic mobility. Some key differentiators of our program include: Our martial arts-based program offers controlled experiences of human interaction under stress, teaching students to take responsibility to protect others and learn the tools necessary to navigate uncomfortable situations. Students learn to identify and manage anxiety, stress, and depression, and practice these skills in high-pressure interactions that encompass their physical, intellectual, and emotional selves. Students are embraced by community and intergenerational mentorship which spans a variety of professional backgrounds and demographics. Students learn to be both a mentee and a mentor. This dynamic produces self-confidence along with access to unique opportunities. Students begin without prior leadership experience. They learn to exercise power responsibly, with compassion, as autonomous and independent young adults. For emotional regulation, students learn the impact of breathwork on their brains and bodies. Physical touch is a foundational element of our program. According to the National Institutes of Health, physical touch is a major factor in reducing anxiety and depression. Our program incorporates this through trust-based physical contact, allowing students to develop meaningful connections with peers while learning skills. As a digital detox opportunity, it fosters meaningful in-person connection and reduces use of social media and online communication to improve their overall socio-emotional well-being.