ImBlaze

Big Picture Learning

ImBlaze

A web and mobile platform making interest-driven internships and career-connected learning accessible to every student through scalable technology.

Providence, RI, USA

USA

Nonprofit

Too many young people, especially those in under-resourced communities, lack access to the career-connected learning they need to thrive. Conventional school structures often prevent work-based learning (WBL) from taking root, constrained by rigid schedules, outdated compliance systems, and limited infrastructure. As a result, young people aren’t provided enough opportunities to explore interests, build relevant skills, and connect with adult mentors. Globally and locally, the scale of disengagement is staggering. In the U.S., Gallup reports that more than 70% of high school students feel disengaged, and only 44% feel prepared for life after graduation. Meanwhile, employers seek adaptable, self-directed individuals with real-world skills, which are traits best developed through hands-on, interest-driven learning experiences. Educators face logistical barriers in managing internships and employer partnerships. Students, especially those without strong networks or family connections, struggle to access a diverse array of meaningful experiences. Without tools that support student agency, educator efficiency, and systems coordination, work-based learning remains the exception, not the norm. ImBlaze addresses this gap by enabling schools and youth-serving organizations to coordinate and scale work-based learning, ensuring all students can engage in purposeful, career-connected exploratory learning experiences.

ImBlaze is a cloud-based platform that helps schools and youth-serving organizations coordinate and scale work-based learning. It supports internships, mentorships, and other work-based learning (WBL) experiences by enabling students to explore opportunities aligned with their interests, connect with mentors, log hours, and reflect on their growth—all in one streamlined system. Built on Salesforce, ImBlaze offers secure, customizable infrastructure that can integrate with student information systems and provides mobile accessibility. Educators use ImBlaze to manage placements, monitor engagement, ensure compliance, and generate insights that improve program quality. To reduce communication barriers in communities with limited internet or email access, the team is developing SMS functionality to enable text-based check-ins and mentor follow-ups. At the same time, AI-powered features—including opportunity matching and reflection support—are being piloted to personalize student experiences and reduce administrative burden. These enhancements, developed with support from the Tools Competition and the Salesforce AI for Impact Accelerator, position ImBlaze for rapid growth and global deployment. Already active in over 250 schools and organizations across 35 U.S. states, Canada, and Australia, ImBlaze is transforming how, where, and with whom learning happens.

ImBlaze is designed to serve all youth, especially those furthest from opportunity—low-income, rural, or disconnected students who often lack access to professional networks, transportation, and supportive school systems. While our core users have been high school students, we’re exploring partnerships to expand ImBlaze to middle school and postsecondary learners. The mobile-friendly, cloud-based platform allows students to discover interest-aligned internships, mentorships, and community-based learning. They can log hours, track growth, and reflect on their experiences—directly from their phones or laptops. For educators and youth-serving organizations, ImBlaze simplifies coordination, engagement monitoring, and program improvement. Big Picture Learning enhances this with coaching and professional development that supports student-centered advising and real-world relevance. Students gain exposure to careers, build confidence through hands-on experiences, and develop key skills for postsecondary success. Schools and organizations are empowered to shift toward systems that prioritize student agency, access, and durable skill development. ImBlaze transforms interest-driven work-based learning from a privilege into a scalable opportunity for all—regardless of age, background, or geography.