young builder resources
this is not a generic resource guide. this is what I (Harrison) have actually done, what I learned, and what I'd tell someone walking the same path.
I'm a high school builder in the Bay Area. I've won 3.5 out of 5 hackathons, placed 2nd nationally at USAYPT, interned at a neurotech startup as their youngest hire, founded a Socratica chapter, published EEG research targeting IEEE TBME, and competed in more math/science competitions than I can count. I've also applied to programs I didn't get into (hi, RSI) and haven't raised a single dollar in formal funding.
everything in this wiki is from personal experience. if I haven't done it, I say so.
philosophy
- the anti-pipeline manifesto — why I chose growth over position, and why the standard pipeline is the most crowded lane
- learning paths — my philosophy on learning by building. no courses, pull from resources, build things. specific paths for ML, web dev, hardware, research.
what you can do
- competitions & hackathons — every competition I've entered, how I did, and what I learned. hackathon advice from actually winning.
- math modeling — the most underrated competitions for builders. HiMCM, MCM/ICM, M3 Challenge, MTFC, IMMC — and why modeling skills transfer to everything.
- MUN & debate — how arguing, presenting, and thinking on your feet transfers to pitching, selling, and fundraising.
- shipping products — you can build and ship real software with real users. the free stack, the process, and why products are your best credential.
- hardware projects — you can build physical things. Arduino → ESP32 → PCB design → integrated projects.
- design engineering — physical design and fabrication. makerspaces, CAD, prototyping, and how to access tools.
- publishing research — you can publish real research as a teen. how to find a PI, the process, journals, and the Davidson Fellows path.
- creative work — video, music, writing. creative outlets are real builder credentials and competition entries.
- open source — contributing to open source is the most meritocratic environment. nobody cares about your age, only your code.
- giving talks — you can present your work publicly. Socratica 5mof, conferences, hackathon demos, and the confidence flywheel.
- personal infrastructure — building your own tools teaches you more than any course. solve your own problems.
how to get there
- summer programs & internships — I-Lab, Math in the Mountains, TKS, a neurotech startup. how I cold-emailed my way into a neurotech startup.
- work experience — startup internships via cold email, research assistant roles, paid work, and freelancing. you don't need formal programs.
- communities — the communities I'm actually in: Socratica (founded), Hack Club, Sunday Dinners, AGI House, Incepto House, and more.
- mentorship & networking — how to cold-email, build relationships, and find mentors without being cringe.
- funding & grants — an honest account: I haven't done formal funding. here's what I've earned and why I haven't needed more yet.
- knowledge management — building a personal knowledge system that compounds. notes, spaced repetition, CRM, reflection.
- tools & stack — the exact tools I use daily. Claude Code (500+ sessions), Vercel, Cloudflare, Supabase, and the $0 stack.
other opportunities (haven't done these)
directory of competitions, programs, and awards i haven't personally done but are worth knowing about. brief listings — go look them up if interested.
- other olympiads & math competitions — USACO, Putnam, ARML, Math Kangaroo, and more.
- writing competitions — literary competitions beyond Scholastic.
- entrepreneurship competitions — business/startup competitions for high schoolers.
- awards, scholarships & fellowships — honors and funding worth knowing about.