What Per Scholas does

Per Scholas is a U.S.-based nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 1995 in the South Bronx, New York. It provides no-cost, intensive technology training programs—ranging from 12 to 16 weeks—preparing unemployed and underemployed adults for entry-level and mid-level IT roles. The curriculum is delivered through 25 physical campuses across 20+ U.S. cities plus a national remote platform, producing industry-recognized certifications from CompTIA, AWS, Google, Salesforce, and Splunk. The organization has trained more than 30,000 technologists cumulatively and serves a learner base that is 85%+ people of color, 40%+ women, and 50%+ holding only a high school diploma as their highest credential, with eligibility tied to incomes below 80% of HUD median family income.

Name

Per Scholas

Legal name

Per Scholas Inc.

Website

https://perscholas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Per Scholas is a nonprofit founded in 1995 that delivers no-cost, 12–16 week technology training programs—covering IT support, cybersecurity, cloud, data centers, and software engineering—to unemployed and underemployed adults across 25 U.S. campuses, producing 30,000+ certified alumni.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Training

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools) (EDABAFAA)

Keywords

• Technology workforce training
• IT certification programs
• Cybersecurity training
• Cloud computing training
• Software engineering training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices26 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants: Per Scholas receives major grants from foundations and corporations including MacKenzie Scott ($20M), Comcast ($4.5M), Truist ($17M in NC), BlackRock Foundation ($7.8M since 2018), Citi Foundation, Ballmer Group, and government sources. 80% of expenses are direct program costs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: Corporate partners including TEKsystems, Google, JPMorgan Chase, and others provide funding, in-kind support, and volunteer engagement. Donor-supported funding through individual donations and corporate sponsors.
3. Employer Partnerships for Talent Solutions: Per Scholas Enterprise (Talent Solutions) provides employer partners with trained, certified tech talent. Revenue generated through hiring fees from employer partnerships with 850+ employer partners nationwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Per Scholas provides no-cost, 12-16 week intensive technology training programs in IT support, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software engineering, data center operations, and Salesforce administration to underserved adults across the United States. Programs integrate industry-recognized certifications (CompTIA, AWS, Google, Salesforce, Splunk) and include professional development and job placement services. Per Scholas Enterprise (Talent Solutions) separately provides employers with trained tech talent, apprenticeships, and customized cohort training programs.

Product overview

Per Scholas is a national nonprofit providing no-cost technology training through a portfolio of distinct programs. The core offerings include IT Support Training (CompTIA A+, Google IT Support), AWS re/Start cloud training, Cybersecurity programs (Cybersecurity Analyst and Cybersecurity with AI Tools), Data Center Technician with AI Tools, Salesforce Administrator with AgentForce, AI Native Business Intelligence (Power BI), AI-Enabled Healthcare IT Technician, AI-Enabled IT Support (ServiceNow), and AI Native Software Development (MERN stack). Specialized offerings include the Critical Infrastructure Training Cohort (Microsoft partnership) and Career Accelerator Upskilling for alumni. Training is delivered across 25 physical campuses nationwide plus national remote options, with programs ranging from 12-16 weeks and including professional development, certifications, and job placement services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IT Support Training No-cost IT support training program preparing learners for CompTIA A+ and Google IT Support certifications, covering hardware, networking, operating systems, and troubleshooting. Delivered across multiple U.S. campuses and remote.
• AWS re/Start Training Cloud computing training program focused on AWS services, preparing learners for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification with foundational cloud concepts.
• Cybersecurity Analyst Training Security operations training preparing learners for CompTIA CySA+ and Splunk Core User certifications, covering SOC activities, threat detection, and incident response.
• Cybersecurity with AI Tools Training Cybersecurity training integrating generative AI tools into security workflows to enhance efficiency, threat detection, and accelerate incident response, preparing for CompTIA Security+ certification.
• Data Center Technician with AI Tools Training Data center operations training covering electrical, mechanical, and control systems with AI and machine learning integration, preparing for industry certifications including EPA 608, OSHA 10-Hour, and NFPA 70E.
• Salesforce Administrator with AgentForce Training Salesforce administration training covering platform customization, automation, and AI integration through Agentforce, preparing for Salesforce Platform Administrator certification.
• AI Native Business Intelligence Training Business intelligence training using AI copilots and Microsoft Power BI for data analysis, dashboard creation, and data modeling.
• AI-Enabled Healthcare IT Technician Training Healthcare IT training covering EHR systems, HIPAA compliance, and AI-enhanced IT support workflows for clinical environments.
• AI Native Software Development Training Full-stack software engineering program using MERN stack with AI coding assistant integration, including GitHub Copilot for workflow automation.
• Critical Infrastructure Training Cohort 15-week intensive data center and mission-critical infrastructure training program developed in partnership with Microsoft, covering electrical, mechanical, and control systems with industry certifications.
• Career Accelerator Upskilling (including AI Solutions Developer Course) Post-training upskilling programs for alumni offering advanced certifications and AI skills training (including the AI Solutions Developer course covering prompt engineering and Python for AI application development) to advance career trajectories.
• Per Scholas Enterprise / Talent Solutions B2B employer services arm providing trained, certified tech talent to 850+ employer partners. Includes early access interviewing, talent matching with 90-day replacement guarantee, customized cohort training, and apprenticeship programs (e.g., Cybersecurity Registered Apprenticeship).

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% graduation rates and 80% job attainment within one year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• MicrosoftmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026New Critical Infrastructure cohort launching June 2026 in Atlanta - a 15-week intensive training program for data center and mission-critical infrastructure roles. Over 400 hours of hands-on training in electrical, mechanical, and control systems with industry certifications.
• King's TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026Partnership with King Charles III's charity for US expansion. King's Trust expanding American operations with goal to reach 1,000 young Americans through collaboration with Per Scholas.
• TEKsystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Corporate partner sponsoring AI Solutions Developer alumni course launched January 2026. 10-year partnership building work-ready talent pipeline. TEKsystems provides curriculum engagement, mentoring, and hiring support.
• Great Jobs KCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2024Strategic alliance launching Kansas City campus in June 2024. Great Jobs KC provides employer engagement and job placement support. 13-week comprehensive IT training program with post-graduation career services.
• Cortex Innovation CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Louis campus at Cortex Innovation Community since 2022. Missouri Tech First initiative powered by Cortex investing $7 million in workforce development. Kansas City expansion also supported through Cortex partnership.
• CiscomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cisco Networking Academy to bring advanced network specialist training tracks. Bridges gap from tech generalist to high-demand specialty roles for alumni seeking continued growth.
• Bell TechlogixmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRevitalized partnership addressing entry-level tech talent needs in Indianapolis. Solution to perennial challenge of finding job-ready talent beyond traditional job boards.
• AMACOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership delivering technical excellence, customer service, and community reinvestment outcomes.

Scale indicators26 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights9 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing no-cost technology training, professional skills development, and a guaranteed first job for underserved young adults ages 18-24. Operates a year-long program with strong employer hiring funnel, closely comparable to Per Scholas on mission, learner profile, and corporate partnership model.
• NPower: National nonprofit offering free IT training, certifications, and job placement services for veterans and underserved young adults. Direct comparable to Per Scholas' IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Data Center tracks, and is explicitly named alongside Per Scholas as a Citi Foundation grantee for AI-era workforce programs.
• Generation: Global nonprofit operating tuition-free, employer-aligned training programs across tech and adjacent fields with a focus on job placement within 90 days. Comparable mission and methodology to Per Scholas, with overlapping employer-driven curriculum design and outcome reporting.
• JobTrain: Bay Area nonprofit providing no-cost career training in technology, healthcare, and skilled trades to low-income adults. Already named in Per Scholas' data as a San Francisco Bay satellite delivery partner, illustrating directly comparable operating model.
• Apprenti: National tech apprenticeship intermediary that recruits, trains, and places underrepresented talent into IT roles at major employers. Comparable on apprenticeship/earn-and-learn model and employer-aligned tech stack training, similar to Per Scholas' enterprise offerings.
• Byte Back: Washington DC-area nonprofit providing free IT training, certifications, and career coaching to adults facing economic hardship. Closely comparable learner profile, no-cost model, and IT certification focus (CompTIA, etc.).
• LaunchCode: National nonprofit offering no-cost technology training and paid apprenticeship pathways into software and IT roles for underrepresented adults. Comparable on tuition-free model, employer-paid apprenticeship placement, and tech skills focus.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit network delivering workforce development, including IT and digital skills training, to millions of job seekers. Overlaps with Per Scholas on mission and learner demographics but at materially larger scale and broader occupational scope.
• Coursera: Large online learning platform offering career certificates and credential programs from Google, IBM, AWS, and others. Provides comparable IT and cybersecurity certification content, but is a for-profit platform rather than a tuition-free employer-aligned nonprofit.
• 2U / Trilogy Education: Provider of fee-based bootcamp-style technology training programs in partnership with universities. Overlaps with Per Scholas' software engineering, data, and cybersecurity curricula but serves a different (paying) learner segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/perscholas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@perscholas
• Facebookfacebook.com/PerScholas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/per-scholas
• Instagraminstagram.com/perscholas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds16 records

Investors15 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Per Scholas