About Volta
Students building
real skills
through real work.
Volta is a nonprofit run entirely by high school and college students. We believe digital access and economic opportunity are inseparable, and that the family-owned restaurants, flower shops, and community businesses that make up NYC's neighborhoods deserve the same tools and resources as larger ones.
Our members build websites, grow social media audiences, and write grants for businesses across the city. In the process, they build real professional skills and portfolios they can stand behind.
Our impact
120+
Total businesses
120+
Website projects
30+
Marketing projects
40+
Case studies by students
10+
Educational guides for merchants
26
Community organizations
Our mission
“To close the digital and financial equity gap for small businesses by connecting them with the next generation of tech, finance, and marketing talent.”
Most small business owners know what they need. What they lack is time and the right connections. We help them see what is possible, then we do the work.
Our Leadership
A team of students from high schools and colleges across NYC and across the country.
44
High Schools
17
Colleges
12
States
Ethan Zhang
Co-Founder
Andrew Chin
Co-Founder
Tahmid Islam
Director of Tech
Ellie Mak
Director of Finance and Marketing
How we operate
Equity-first
We focus on businesses that can't afford to hire consultants or keep up with digital marketing on their own. We help them see what's possible, then work to make it happen.
Student-led
Every project is designed and delivered by students, from the first outreach call to the final handoff.
Community-rooted
We work through local business improvement districts because trust in a neighborhood takes time. We show up in person, learn the story behind each business, and stay involved through the whole project.
Transparent
Every project has a clear scope, set timeline, and regular updates. Business owners know who is on their team, what's being built, and when to expect it.