Generation Distinct

What Generation Distinct does

Generation Distinct is a Chicago-based non-profit founded in 2017 by Hannah Gronowski Barnett that operates faith-based leadership development programs for young adults (approximately ages 18–30) seeking to convert world-changing aspirations into actionable plans. Its core offerings are structured as a four-step funnel: a four-month virtual Cohort ($50/month, with monthly cohort calls, one-on-one coaching, small group discussions, and weekly coursework), an ongoing Coalition community ($10/month) for cohort alumni, an annual in-person untitled_ conference in Chicago (priced $160–$360 depending on hotel inclusion and payment plan), and a Leadership Development Program for advanced training. A complementary 6-Month Program delivers structured content across five tracks — Entrepreneurship, Visionary, Evangelism, Activism, and Mentorship — supported by free downloadable workbooks for each track.

The technology stack is an online learning platform built on Squarespace commerce with Typeform for applications, Flodesk for email, a proprietary mobile app for cohort coursework and assignments, a video content library of 45+ interviews, and a podcast distributed via Apple Podcasts. There are no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, integrations, or proprietary APIs.

The business model is a diversified small-ticket revenue stack typical of a faith-based non-profit: subscription cohort fees, a low-priced monthly Coalition membership, conference ticket sales across multiple pricing tiers, branded merchandise (t-shirts, crewnecks, hats), donations, church partnerships ($500–$1,000 per church), and annual gala fundraising events ($60 individual / $600 table). Go-to-market is community-led, relying on the founder's speaking platform, podcast and social channels, the 'Nominate A Young Leader' referral funnel, and church partnerships as institutional feeders. The organization claims reach across nine countries and the U.S. with a stated 2023 campaign goal of moving 2,023 young leaders through the program.

Name

Generation Distinct

Legal name

Generation Distinct

Website

https://generationdistinct.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Youth Leadership Development

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Leadership, Character Education & Values Development (EDAMAIAG), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Faith-based leadership programs
• Youth leadership development
• Purpose discovery programs
• Virtual cohort training
• Community-based mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cohort Program Fees: 4-month virtual cohort program at $50/month with monthly calls, one-on-one coaching, small group discussions, and weekly coursework through the Generation Distinct app
2. Conference Tickets (untitled_): In-person conference in Chicago with multiple pricing tiers including pay-up-front and monthly payment options, ranging from $160-$360 depending on hotel inclusion
3. Coalition Membership: Monthly subscription at $10/month providing access to exclusive content, leadership development opportunities, and ongoing community support for cohort alumni
4. Merchandise: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, crewnecks, and hats sold through the online shop
5. Donations: One-time donations from partners supporting the organization's mission to empower young leaders through faith-based leadership curriculum
6. Church Partnerships: Partnership programs for churches at $500-$1,000, including launch event integration, to help churches engage young adults
7. Gala Events: Fundraising events with individual tickets at $60 and table sponsorships at $600 for 10 seats

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Generation Distinct delivers faith-based leadership development programs that help young adults discover their personal purpose and build actionable plans to pursue it. Its flagship products are a four-month virtual Cohort program, an ongoing online community called the Coalition, an annual in-person conference in Chicago (the untitled_ Experience), and an advanced Leadership Development Program for alumni. The programs are supported by track-specific workbooks, merchandise, and church partnership offerings.

Product overview

Generation Distinct is a leadership development platform with a multi-product ecosystem designed to guide young adults from discovering their purpose to executing meaningful change. The core offerings include: the 4-month Cohort program (virtual experience with coaching and coursework), the ongoing Coalition community (monthly coaching and exclusive content), the annual untitled_ in-person conference in Chicago, and the Leadership Development Program for advanced leadership training. These are supported by a 6-Month Program with five specialized track workbooks (Entrepreneurship, Visionary, Evangelism, Activist, and Mentorship). The company also offers merchandise, event tickets (gala), and church partnership programs. All programs aim to help young leaders discover the 'wrong they were born to make right' and equip them with strategy to create lasting impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• the Coalition: Online community for action-driven leaders committed to ongoing growth and collaboration, offering exclusive content, leadership development opportunities, and continued support for members living out their mission.
• untitled_
• untitled_ Creative Studios

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of young people say they don't know what their purpose is - Generation Distinct aims to change this
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): Long-standing faith-based organization developing young adult leaders through sports, campus, and community programs. Comparable in mission framing and demographic overlap with Generation Distinct.
• C12 Group: Established peer-advisory and leadership development platform for Christian business executives. Comparable faith-rooted leadership coaching model, though C12 targets senior executives where Generation Distinct targets emerging leaders.
• Young Life: Large-scale faith-based youth and young-adult development organization with structured programs and camps. Comparable faith-based young-adult engagement approach, though at far greater institutional scale.

Direct peers

• Halftime Institute: Faith-based purpose-discovery and leadership-development program with cohort-style training for professionals and leaders. Comparable curriculum, faith framing, and three-year strategic plan methodology.
• IF:Gathering: Faith-based community and annual conference experience designed to mobilize women (and broader young-adult audiences) into mission-driven action. Closely comparable to Generation Distinct's combination of cohort-style community, annual in-person gathering, and faith-rooted identity.
• Praxis: Faith-driven entrepreneurship accelerator that helps early-stage founders launch ventures combining calling with venture creation. Direct parallel to Generation Distinct's cohort model for turning purpose into structured action.
• Made to Flourish: Faith-based network equipping pastors and lay leaders to integrate calling and vocation. Comparable faith-rooted leadership development framework with peer-coaching and conference touchpoints.
• Catalyst: Faith-informed leadership conference and media platform for the next generation of church and marketplace leaders. Comparable annual-conference + cohort-style leadership development model targeting young Christian leaders.
• Q Ideas: Faith-and-ideas leadership community producing community-based conversations and conference experiences for next-generation Christian leaders. Closely comparable cohort and discussion-based development model.
• Summit Leaders: Faith-based leadership development community that equips next-gen leaders through cohort-based intensives and ongoing community. Closely comparable cohort + community + purpose-discovery model to Generation Distinct.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubepodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-generation-distinct-podcast/id1449396086
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/generation-distinct

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Generation Distinct