Budget
This is that dollar. To build AI Studio Teams right—to create a scalable national platform that transforms how students prepare for AI-shaped careers—takes $500K to $1M. Stanford CREATE+AI is the pre-seed leverage that unlocks the rest.
This $50,000 investment provides the proof-of-concept that makes the larger vision fundable. Nothing is overhead—every dollar builds real infrastructure that delivers immediate value to pilot students and employers.
$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 isn't the whole budget—it's the pre-seed leverage. With Year 1 evidence in hand, we approach district superintendents and employer partners with a proven model at a fundable price point.
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.