Dope Nerds has won $50,000 from the CTIA Wireless Foundation through its Catalyst program, a grant for social entrepreneurs using 5G and leading-edge wireless to address pressing challenges in U.S. communities.

The education tech company specializes in virtual reality (VR)-based educational experiences for middle and high school students. It focuses on using VR technology to cover a wide range of topics, including engineering, game design, and digital art, all within the VR environment. Furthermore, Dope Nerds provides hands-on, experiential learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and STEAM (adding arts to STEM) with its curriculum.

“We are thrilled to support our 2023 Catalyst Winners: ReThink, Dope Nerds and Healium,” said Dori Kreiger, executive director of the CTIA Wireless Foundation. “These innovative social entrepreneurs are using wireless connectivity to empower change in their communities by addressing the challenges of cyberbullying, education inequities and veterans’ mental health with mobile-first solutions.”

ReThink, an app-based platform that works to stop digital hate by using AI and machine learning, won the top prize of $100,000. Meanwhile, Healium, a company that offers a virtual solution for stress management for veterans, took home $25,000. Two additional finalists — PONS and Promly — were each awarded honourable mention grants of $10,000.

In its fourth year, Catalyst 2023 focused on social entrepreneurs using mobile-first applications that take advantage of the speed and versatility of 5G and leading-edge wireless as a platform for innovation and social good.