What Great Minds in STEM does

Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, that operates a portfolio of interconnected programs designed to inspire, support, and recognize students and professionals in STEM fields, with particular emphasis on Hispanic and other historically underrepresented communities. The organization runs an end-to-end talent pipeline spanning K-12 outreach through professional recognition: the Viva Technology pre-college program reaches 146,000+ students across 21 states; the GMiS Scholars program has awarded more than $5.8 million to 2,200+ college students historically; MentorNet provides online professional mentorship; and the flagship HENAAC Awards (est. 1989) confer peer-reviewed recognition on Hispanic engineers, scientists, and technology professionals, with a Hall of Fame that includes luminaries such as Dr. Ellen Ochoa. The annual GMiS Conference, held consecutively for 36 years, is the central distribution hub, attracting 3,000+ attendees and integrating competitive programs (College Bowl, Research Poster Competition, Hackathon), career fairs, networking, and the HENAAC Awards Show.

GMiS generates revenue through four primary streams: corporate and government sponsorships from Fortune 500 STEM employers and national laboratories (the largest stream); tiered conference registration fees ranging from $25 (student career fair only) to $700 (individual professional); scholarship fund administration fees on behalf of sponsors such as Chevron, Lockheed Martin, Cummins, Leidos, and Corteva; and individual donations processed via Stripe, including contributions to the Ray and Carmela Mellado Legacy Fund. The organization sells sponsorship packages directly through its Director of Development and distributes programs through online portals (gmisaccess.org, posters.gmis-scholars.org, gmiscollegebowl.org, program.mentornet.org, gmisconference.org) and academic partner networks including CAHSI and STARS Computing Core. There are no proprietary software or hardware products, no AI/ML capabilities, and no parent-company or private-equity ownership; the organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors currently chaired by Anna M. Park (effective November 2025), with Peter Mellado serving as Executive Director.

Name

Great Minds in STEM

Legal name

Great Minds in STEM

Website

https://greatmindsinstem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Great Minds in STEM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that runs K-12 to professional STEM programs for Hispanic and underserved students and professionals, anchored by an annual conference drawing 3,000+ attendees, a scholars program awarding $5.8M+ historically, and the peer-reviewed HENAAC Awards, funded primarily by Fortune 500 corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM Competitions & Olympiads (Science Bowls, STEM Challenges) (EDAMABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• STEM diversity outreach
• Scholarship administration services
• STEM professional development
• Nonprofit workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: GMiS's primary revenue stream comes from Fortune 500 STEM companies, national laboratories, and government agencies sponsoring the annual conference, scholarship programs, and competitive events. Sponsors receive branding, recruitment access, team coaching opportunities, and scholarship naming rights in exchange for financial support. Tiered sponsorship packages range from general support to headline/co-presenting sponsors.
2. Conference Registration Fees: GMiS generates revenue through tiered conference registration fees: Individual Professional ($700), Individual Academic/Non-Profit ($400), Non-Student Job Seeker Career Fair Only ($50), Student Full Conference ($185), Student Job Seeker Career Fair Only ($25), CAHSI Student ($175), CAHSI Faculty ($600). The 2026 conference will be held September 17–19, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM.
3. Scholarship Fund Administration: GMiS administers scholarship programs funded by corporate sponsors (Chevron, Lockheed Martin, Cummins, Leidos, Corteva AgriScience, and others). In 2021, the program awarded more than $200,000 to 89 scholars. GMiS may take an administrative fee for managing these programs on behalf of sponsors.
4. Donations: The organization accepts individual donations through its website (powered by Stripe), with a designated Ray and Carmela Mellado Legacy Fund. Donations support GMiS's mission of inspiring and empowering underserved students in STEM.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GMiS runs an annual national STEM conference, administers scholarship and fellowship awards, operates the MentorNet mentorship program, and hosts the HENAAC Awards to recognize outstanding Hispanic STEM professionals, students, and educators. Its programming is designed to build and sustain a diverse STEM talent pipeline from pre-college through professional levels.

Product overview

Great Minds in STEM operates a platform of interconnected programs centered on its annual flagship GMiS Conference, which serves as the hub for student and professional engagement. The portfolio includes scholarship programs (GMiS Scholarships), educational outreach (Viva Technology), mentorship (MentorNet), professional recognition (HENAAC Awards, GMiS Luminaries, STEM Hero Awards, HENAAC Hall of Fame), and competitive programs (Research Posters Competition, GMiS College Bowl). The organization also partners with CAHSI and STARS Computing Core to advance diversity in computing. STEM Talks was introduced as a new feature at the 2025 conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HENAAC Awards: Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards - prestigious peer-review awards recognizing excellence among Hispanic engineers, scientists, and technology professionals.
• Viva Technology
• MentorNet
• STEM Talks

Products and services

• GMiS Conference
• GMiS Scholarships and Fellowships
• MentorNet
• HENAAC Awards

Quantifiable outcome

• 146,000+ pre-college students reached in 21 states through Viva Technology program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, core and minor.

• SoCalGas (Southern California Gas Company)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2021SoCalGas sponsored the Research Poster Competition at the 2021 GMiS Conference, providing students an opportunity to showcase their research talent to top Fortune 500 STEM companies attending the conference.
• CumminsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 September 2021Cummins is a long-time sponsor of the GMiS Scholars program, awarding scholarships to three Hispanic STEM students (Amir Gomez-Perez, Abraham Morales, Iscan Ordaz) in 2021. Cummins supports GMiS's mission to recognize excellence in academics, community service, and leadership.
• U.S. Air Force / Air Force Research LaboratorymajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 September 2021The U.S. Air Force and Air Force Research Laboratory sponsor the Research Poster Competition at GMiS and host STEM Career Readiness Coaching Sessions. Supports recruitment of diverse STEM talent into Air Force careers.
• NASAflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 September 2021NASA sponsors the Research Poster Competition at the GMiS Conference, giving college students the opportunity to showcase research to STEM professionals. NASA JPL is supported by GMiS-affiliated engineers working at contractor organizations.
• ChevronflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 September 2021Chevron is a long-time sponsor of the GMiS Scholars program, awarding scholarships to 16 Hispanic STEM students from 13 universities in 2021. In the 2021 cohort, Chevron contributed to the more than $200,000 in scholarships distributed to 89 GMiS Scholars.
• LeidosmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 September 2021Leidos is a sponsor of GMiS programs and hosts STEM Career Readiness Coaching Sessions at the annual conference. Leidos supports student recruitment and career development through GMiS's platform.
• Texas InstrumentsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 September 2021Texas Instruments hosts STEM Career Readiness Coaching Sessions at GMiS conferences, providing students with career readiness training and interview preparation support.
• ADPmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 September 2021ADP sponsored GMiS's STEM Career Readiness Coaching Sessions, hosting webinars for college students on career planning topics. ADP has achieved perfect scores in workplace equality recognition programs and supports GMiS diversity initiatives.
• STARS Computing CorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTARS Computing Core co-locates its national gathering at the GMiS Conference. This partnership brings a dedicated pipeline of computing students from underrepresented groups to the GMiS conference, expanding the reach of both organizations and creating a dedicated track for computing students within the broader STEM conference program.
• CAHSI (Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAHSI is a co-location partner at the GMiS Conference with a dedicated CAHSI registration track offering reduced pricing ($175 for students, $600 for faculty). CAHSI undergraduates, graduates, and faculty participate in all conference programs. CAHSI also runs a Hackathon competition at the conference.
• ShellflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerShell is a prominent sponsor of the GMiS Conference, supporting GMiS programs to reach STEM students and professionals. Shell's logo appears on the conference website among major sponsors, indicating a significant sponsorship relationship.
• DowflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDow is a long-standing sponsor of GMiS programs including the annual conference, HENAAC Awards, and scholarship programs. Multiple Dow employees have been recognized with HENAAC Awards. Dow's Hispanic & Latin Network is actively involved in GMiS programming.
• Sandia National LaboratoriesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSandia National Laboratories is a major sponsor of GMiS programs. Sandia employee Michael A. Omana received a 2021 HENAAC Award for Most Promising Scientist with a Master's Degree for his work on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerLANL is a sponsor of the GMiS Conference, supporting diversity recruitment and STEM outreach programs through the GMiS platform.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerORNL is a sponsor of the GMiS Conference, supporting GMiS's mission to diversify the STEM workforce through the annual conference and related programs.
• Lawrence Livermore National LaboratorymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLawrence Livermore National Laboratory sponsors the GMiS Conference as part of its diversity outreach and recruitment strategy for national laboratory careers.
• PanasonicmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPanasonic is a sponsor of the GMiS Conference, supporting the organization's mission to inspire and empower underserved students in STEM careers.
• Lockheed MartinflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLockheed Martin is a decades-long sponsor of GMiS and the Viva Technology K-12 program, sponsoring schools coast-to-coast including Puerto Rico. Lockheed Martin provides College Bowl team coaching, scholarships (including to Isabel Gallegos of Stanford), and hosts workshops at the GMiS Conference.
• BoeingflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBoeing is a sponsor of the Research Poster Competition at the GMiS Conference. Boeing employs GMiS Scholars alumni and award winners, supporting recruitment of diverse engineering talent.
• Raytheon TechnologiesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRaytheon Technologies is a sponsor of GMiS programs, including scholarships and STEM Career Readiness Coaching Sessions. Gregorio H. Hinojos of Raytheon received a 2021 HENAAC Award for Most Promising Engineer with a Master's Degree. Raytheon's HOLA employee resource group partners with GMiS for recruitment.
• Northrop GrummanflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNorthrop Grumman sponsors the GMiS Conference and HENAAC Awards. Alexander Szeto of Northrop Grumman received a 2021 HENAAC Award for Community Service for his leadership in F-35 program engineering and extensive STEM mentorship and robotics coaching.
• Hispano Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Hispano Chamber of Commerce is listed as a sponsor of the GMiS 2026 Conference, supporting the organization's mission and helping to promote GMiS programs within the Hispanic business community.
• Colorado School of MinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColorado School of Mines is a sponsor of the GMiS 2026 Conference, supporting GMiS programs and promoting STEM education to diverse student populations.
• Duke UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDuke University is a sponsor of the GMiS 2026 Conference, supporting GMiS programs and recruiting diverse STEM talent at the career fair.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a sponsor of the GMiS 2026 Conference, supporting diversity in aviation and aerospace STEM fields.
• University of California, IrvineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUC Irvine is a sponsor of the GMiS 2026 Conference, supporting the university's STEM diversity initiatives and recruiting engineering students at the career fair.
• University of RochesterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity of Rochester is a sponsor of the GMiS 2026 Conference, supporting GMiS programs and promoting graduate school opportunities to diverse STEM students.
• Columbus Technologies and ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColumbus Technologies and Services employs GMiS award winners (including Pryscila Verduzco, 2021 HENAAC Award winner) supporting NASA JPL contracts. The company participates in GMiS recruitment activities.
• Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDCMA is a government agency partner whose employees (including Alfredo Lopez-Estrada, 2021 STEM Hero Award winner) are recognized through the GMiS STEM Hero Awards program for professionals serving under the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
• Corteva AgriScienceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorteva AgriScience sponsored the 2021 GMiS Scholars program, awarding a scholarship to Nicole M. Colón Carrión, Outstanding Graduate Student Leader in Science.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science): SACNAS overlaps with GMiS in Hispanic/Chicano STEM student programming, mentorship, and annual conference-driven engagement, while also serving Native American students. Both organizations share sponsor pools (national labs, federal agencies, life-sciences employers) and compete for Hispanic STEM graduate and undergraduate talent.
• WEPAN (Women in Engineering ProActive Network): WEPAN runs programs, conferences, and awards aimed at increasing the participation of women in engineering — a structurally comparable model to GMiS's conference/awards/scholarship platform, though serving a different demographic. Both compete for university partnership dollars and federal diversity-grant funding.
• MAES (Mexican American Engineers and Scientists): MAES is a student-led organization serving Mexican-American STEM students through symposiums, scholarships, and awards — a directly comparable mission to GMiS's Hispanic-focused pipeline work. It competes for the same student demographic and corporate STEM-diversity sponsors.
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE): NSBE serves a parallel mission for African-American STEM students: annual convention, corporate-sponsored scholarships, K-12 pre-college programs, and awards. It competes directly with GMiS for Fortune 500 STEM diversity-recruitment dollars and conference attendance, but targets a different demographic community.
• National GEM Consortium: GEM provides graduate fellowships and corporate/recruiter connections for underrepresented minority STEM students, mirroring GMiS's career-fair-and-scholarship hub model. It draws on the same Fortune 500 sponsor network (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon) seeking diverse STEM talent.
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE): SHPE is the largest Hispanic STEM professional organization in the U.S., running annual conferences, scholarships, and K-12 outreach with a near-identical mission to GMiS. It is the closest direct peer, competing for the same student population, corporate sponsors (Chevron, Boeing, Raytheon sponsor SHPE events), and HENAAC-style recognition prominence.
• CAHSI (Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions): CAHSI is both a GMiS co-location partner and a comparable organization advancing Hispanic representation in computing through student support, research opportunities, and industry partnerships. It operates a parallel conference track at the GMiS conference and serves overlapping student demographics.
• National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME): NACME funds scholarships and runs pre-college engineering programs for underrepresented minorities in engineering. Its mission, scholarship-administration business model, and corporate-sponsor base (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, etc.) align tightly with GMiS's GMiS Scholars program.
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): AISES runs an annual national conference, scholarship program, K-12 outreach, and awards aimed at Indigenous STEM students. Its structure mirrors GMiS's conference-plus-scholarships-plus-recognition model and it pursues overlapping corporate and federal sponsors for STEM diversity recruiting.

Broad incumbents

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE): SWE is a much larger, established engineering society with an annual conference drawing 10,000+ attendees, an SWE scholarship program, and awards. While broader in scope and serving a different demographic, SWE competes for the same Fortune 500 corporate STEM-recruitment sponsorship dollars as GMiS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GreatMindsInSTEM
• Instagraminstagram.com/greatmindsinstem
• YouTubeyoutube.com/greatmindsinstem
• Xx.com/greatmindsstem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Great Minds in STEM