As we prepare to open applications for our next Breakthrough cohort, many innovators are starting to think about whether this accelerator is the right next step. Breakthrough is more than a funding opportunity: It’s an 11-month coaching, learning, and community experience designed to help teams strengthen their innovations and deepen their impact on adolescent health.
After two recruitment cycles, we’ve learned a lot about what makes an application stand out. There’s no single formula for a “perfect” applicant, but there are a few things we consistently look for. If you’re thinking about applying for our next cohort, we hope this blog gives you a clearer sense of what we look for and helps you feel confident with your decision to apply. We’re always excited to meet innovators working to advance adolescent health, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this next application cycle brings.
Applications for our third cohort of Breakthrough innovators will be open from April 10 to May 22, 2026. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to be receive updates when applications open.
1. Have an innovative solution focused on adolescent health and well-being.
Breakthrough supports innovations that advance adolescent health and well-being, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. Your innovation doesn’t have to focus exclusively on SRH but, ultimately, there should be a clear connection between your innovation and support for adolescent SRH outcomes.
It’s also worth noting that innovation doesn’t always mean creating something entirely new. Perhaps you’re adapting, improving, or using an existing solution in a new way—or you have something new you’ve designed with input from your end users. What matters most is that your work addresses a real need and has the potential to make a meaningful difference for adolescents.
If you’re curious about the types of innovations we’ve supported, take a look at our current and previous innovator profiles to get a sense of the range of work in the Breakthrough community.
Application Tip: We’ll ask you what your innovation is, how it addresses an identified challenge, and what makes it innovative. Be explicit about how your innovation would connect to improved adolescent SRH outcomes; if similar solutions already exist, explain how yours will build on or differ from them.
2. Have an innovation you’ve already tested.
As an accelerator, we support innovations that already exist in some form, even if they’re still changing. You don’t need a polished product that’s ready for market or evaluation, but we need to see that your innovation is far enough along to show potential to make a difference in adolescent health and well-being. It’s also important that your innovation has been tested with end users and that their feedback has actively shaped changes along the way. Testing might entail holding informal interviews or focus groups with end users, or it could involve gathering feedback via surveys.
If you’re still at the “just an idea” stage, that’s completely okay—it may just mean that an incubator is a better fit right now. Check out In/Tend, youthink, or RYSE to learn more about what incubator programs look like.
Application Tip: We’ll ask about the challenge your innovation addresses, what the innovation is, and what stage it’s at. Be specific about what you’ve built so far and what you’ve learned from end users. You’ll also walk us through the user experience step-by-step – focus on what an end user would actually encounter now, not based on future plans.
3. Choose a team of three that is ready to commit and collaborate.
Innovation work is rarely a solo effort. Turning an idea into something tangible often requires a mix of perspectives, skills, and experiences, so we ask for teams of three to apply. Many teams also have additional collaborators, partners, or advisors on whom they draw as their innovation evolves. While we expect and encourage this collaboration within our budget guidelines, teams must select three members who have the time and commitment to fully participate in all Breakthrough coaching and training.
The strongest teams typically bring complementary skills—whether that’s subject matter expertise, design or implementation experience, community connections, operational know-how, youth perspective, or something else. What matters most is that your core team works well together, is well-positioned to advance the innovation, and has the capacity to engage meaningfully in our accelerator program.
Application Tip: We’ll ask why your team is the “right” group to tackle the challenge your innovation solves for and request short bios for each member. Use that space to show how your skills complement each other and why your team is well-suited to lead the work.
4. Reflect on your openness to learning, pivoting, and iterating.
Innovation is messy, and progress rarely happens in a straight line. That’s why one of Breakthrough’s core values is embracing creativity and change. We try to model that in how we support teams, and we seek teams who approach their work with a similar mindset.
Being open to feedback, willing to pivot, and curious about what you’re learning—whether from users, peers, or coaches—can make a big difference in the growth of your innovation and how much you get out of the accelerator.
Application Tip: We’ll ask you about a time you made a change to your innovation. That’s not a trick question—we genuinely want to understand how you approach learning and growth. Specific examples help us see how you navigate the realities of innovation work.
5. Know why Breakthrough is the right fit for your team.
Funding is one part of what we offer, but—fundamentally—Breakthrough is a coaching, learning, and community experience. Strong applicants clearly articulate why applying to an accelerator makes sense for them right now. They know the challenges they’re facing, have goals that could benefit from tailored support, and see how Breakthrough fits into their broader innovation journey.
Application Tip: We’ll ask about the challenges you’re facing: Share with us how Breakthrough can specifically support you. Exploring our website, attending office hours, and reflecting on whether this is the right moment for your team can help you give a more thoughtful answer.
Suggested citation: Kim, L. (2026). Learn what makes a strong Breakthrough applicant. Breakthrough Accelerator. https://breakthrough.fund/learn-what-makes-a-strong-breakthrough-applicant