About us.
StandWatch Academy is an IRS designated 501c3 nonprofit corporation founded in 2015. Between 2016-and 2021, we launched multiple educational expeditions that took students around the country, helping them identify ways they could use entrepreneurship to improve their lives and communities. This is just part of the StandWatch story.
100+
Students participated
Over 100 students enrolled in the program and participated in the expeditions. All were from rural areas of West Virginia or Colorado. Approximately 70% of the students who participated in the StandWatch Academy expeditions came from disadvantaged backgrounds.
$240,000
Scholarships awarded
Every student who came from a disadvantaged background attended the course free of charge. This included all travel expenses, books, academic fees, and special equipment needed for the expeditions.
20
States visited
Over six years, StandWatch Academy students met with mentors and travelled to sites in 20 states and 25 cities. They also enjoyed outdoor challenges in 11 national parks and monuments.
Meet the Founder
Zac Northup
Founder & CEO
As the founder and CEO, Zac manages all aspects of StandWatch.org, a veteran-operated 501c3 educational nonprofit organization that uses unique experiences and a custom curriculum to teach high-school students in disadvantaged areas how to conceptualize, launch, and lead their own nonprofits or small businesses.