Build software that ships
An online project-based learning program that brings college builders together to develop software applications that drive positive social change.
01 — The problem
Two crises, both fixable
There is a growing technology skills gap among college graduates in the United States. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 67% of employers report that college graduates lack the technical skills needed for entry-level software engineering and programming positions. 39% of software developer jobs seek applicants with at least three years of experience, meaning college graduates without practical experience are less employable.
While some college graduates struggle to meet the bar for employability, many local communities face challenges — like food insecurity, lack of access to affordable housing and healthcare, and unemployment — where technology-based solutions could make a real difference. Feeding America estimates that over 34 million people face food insecurity in the United States. Over half a million people experience homelessness on any given night in America.
This presents a dual problem: college graduates emerge without the hands-on technical abilities employers need, while communities lack accessible technology solutions for pressing challenges. Bridging this gap requires giving builders practical software development experience that meets demonstrated community needs.
02 — Our solution
Apps for Good
Through our Apps for Good program, Teamup equips and supports college builders to develop software-based solutions that drive social change. We organize interdisciplinary teams and provide them with the resources to take on real-world software projects that address social issues and community needs.
Support includes project management tools, cloud computing resources, hardware, and expert mentorship from industry professionals. With Teamup's guidance and infrastructure, builders gain hands-on experience building apps that make an impact — from conceptualization and scoping through programming, testing, and launch.
By working on technology projects tailored to real-world issues, builders develop their software engineering skills while making a social impact.
03 — How it works
How does Apps for Good work?
We organize builder cohorts in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Cohorts draw from partner universities; each team selects a project from our database of proposals aimed at driving social change. Teamup provides access to computing resources, hardware, design tools, and technical mentors to support teams in bringing these apps to life.
Industry experts volunteer as mentors, guiding teams through the full software development lifecycle — ideation, planning, programming, iteration, testing, and launch. A mentor stays with their team from kickoff to completion, making sure builders get hands-on experience while adhering to software engineering standards.
04 — At a glance
Audience
Undergraduate and graduate level
Project length
3–4 months per cohort
Catalog
Real shipped apps — see them all →
05 — Outcomes
What builders take away
- A solid understanding of software engineering
- Complex problem decomposition and scoping large projects into actionable components
- System design thinking — mapping solutions to community needs
- Integrating user-research feedback into development iterations
- An appreciation for technology's power to create positive change for communities
- First-hand civic engagement experience — identifying and addressing real community needs
- Skills to assess the effectiveness and impact of civic-tech solutions
06 — Mentors
Who guides the teams?
Technical mentors are industry professionals who volunteer their time to guide builder teams through the software development process. They're software engineers, developers, programmers, and analysts from technology companies, startups, and consulting firms.