CampusChat: Virtual Sex Ed

Demand for Talk’s model has consistently exceeded capacity to provide it to all the teens and families in need, and it is extremely resource intensive to scale. Currently, where a student goes to school dictates the quality of sex education they receive, and as long as that situation persists, outcomes will never improve.

Beginning in 2015, Gerard began work to innovate online, adapting elements of her classroom model to be delivered online, which would extend Talk’s reach exponentially.

• • In 2015, Gerard secured a $50,000 investment to begin work on the virtual platform.
  • In 2017, Gerard secured a 3-year grant from a private family foundation totaling $150,000 in support to continue adapting the model.
  • In 2019, Talk was awarded an $80,000 project through Carnegie Mellon University’s Human Computer Interaction Institute to finalize the first prototype.
  • Since 2019 Talk has been developing CampusChat, a virtual platform which aims to provide incoming college freshmen with the information and skills they need to confidently navigate relationships and sex on campus.
  • We have already begun to pilot the platform and anticipate securing college partnerships in the fall of 2023.

Democratizing sex ed

CampusChat is just the beginning. Gerard has plans to leverage the 14 years worth of insights she’s gleaned to develop a portfolio of products to ensure that every young person has access to the information and skills they need to have happy, healthy lives.

If you’re a socially conscious investor who wants to make a big impact, click here to connect with Sam.