Propel Center

What Propel Center does

Propel Center is a technology and innovation hub serving Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), founded in 2021 as an initiative of Ed Farm with founding partners Apple and Southern Company. Headquartered at a physical innovation hub on the Clark Atlanta University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, Propel operates a two-surface platform: a physical innovation hub hosting accelerators and on-site programming, and the PROPEL Learn digital learning app that extends content delivery nationally. The organization has engaged 80% of HBCUs (107 institutions) and reached 300,000+ students, offering 20+ courses and 7,000+ micro-credentials across technology, cybersecurity, arts and entertainment, and health technology verticals.

Propel's core technology surface consists of the PROPEL Learn app for digital course delivery and micro-credentialing, paired with accelerator programs including the HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium, Cybersecurity Accelerator, Health Tech Accelerator, Arts & Entertainment Accelerator, and PROPEL U. Its business model is non-commercial: programs are offered free to HBCU students, and operating capacity is funded through corporate sponsorships (Apple, Southern Company, Disney, Universal Music Group, Truist, J.P. Morgan, Dell, Nike, IBM), grants (including $3M in Industry Impact Grants distributed to HBCUs and $2M from Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative), and scholarship administration. The organization functions as a public-private ecosystem intermediary rather than a revenue-generating enterprise, with its economic value measured in student outcomes, credential production, and corporate partnership leverage rather than top-line revenue.

Strategic positioning centers on being a first-of-its-kind HBCU tech hub, with Apple CEO Tim Cook's public endorsement signaling high-profile corporate validation. Leadership under President Dr. Lisa Herring (appointed September 2023) and a recently expanded C-suite (May 2024 hires) has overseen product launches, accelerator additions, and international expansion into Kenya, while deepening the partnership roster across technology, energy, entertainment, and financial services verticals.

Name

Propel Center

Legal name

PROPEL Center

Website

https://propelcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Propel Center is a nonprofit technology and innovation hub serving 107 HBCUs and 300,000+ students through a physical hub at Clark Atlanta University and the PROPEL Learn digital platform, funded by corporate sponsors including Apple and Southern Company and offering free courses, micro-credentials, and industry accelerators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education and Workforce Development Services

akta.pro primary industry

HBCU Systems & Multi-Campus Institutions (EDAHAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online & Distance-Learning HBCUs (EDAHAMAJ)

Keywords

• HBCU innovation hub
• Micro-credential learning platform
• Workforce development programs
• Cybersecurity education consortium
• Culturally responsive curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Partnership Funding: Funded by founding partners Apple and Southern Company, along with other corporate sponsors. Provides grants, scholarships, and learning support to HBCU students at no cost to participants.
2. Institutional Grants & Scholarships: Over $5 million provided in grants, scholarships and learning support. $4 million in institutional grants awarded to HBCUs. Students receive scholarships through challenge competitions ($125,000 awarded across winners).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Propel Center operates a first-of-its-kind technology and innovation hub for HBCUs, combining a physical space at Clark Atlanta University with the digital PROPEL Learn app. The organization delivers tech-focused micro-credentials, challenge-based programs, accelerator experiences, and 20+ course offerings co-developed with industry partners such as Apple, Disney, and Southern Company. Programs such as the Future of Tech Innovation Challenge, Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator, HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium, and Health Tech Accelerator are provided to HBCU students and faculty at no cost.

Product overview

PROPEL Center is a first-of-its-kind technology and innovation hub for HBCUs, operating through both a physical space and the PROPEL Learn digital platform. The core offering comprises PROPEL Center as the main hub, with PROPEL Learn serving as the student-facing mobile/web application delivering micro-credential courses. Programs include PROPEL U student initiatives, the Future of Tech Innovation Challenge, Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator, HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium with its Cybersecurity Accelerator, and Health Tech Accelerator. Course offerings through PROPEL Learn include Discovering Your Professional Superpowers (developed with Disney), How Does AI/ML Impact Culture?, Pocket to Production, Socially Just Coding (developed with Apple), Future Proof Entrepreneurship, The Art of Storytelling, and Film and Television Modern-Day Griots.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PROPEL Learn App A student-focused mobile/web application delivering culturally responsive content, curriculum, and tech-focused micro-credentials co-developed by industry experts and HBCU faculty. Available to all 107 HBCUs at no cost.
• Future of Tech Innovation Challenge A national AI innovation competition for HBCU students to design AI-powered solutions across sectors including health, education, cybersecurity, energy, and media technology, with $125,000 in scholarships awarded.
• Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator Program backed by Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative that equips HBCU students with skills and mentorship for careers in the creative and entertainment industries.
• HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium A consortium created in partnership with Southern Company to advance cybersecurity education, comprising resource hub, professional development, accelerated learning, and workforce pipeline components across 32 HBCU member institutions.
• Cybersecurity Accelerator Year-long immersive experience for 3rd and 4th year students to advance cybersecurity skills, knowledge, and career preparedness with access to industry leaders and resources.
• Health Tech Accelerator Challenge-based learning program where students pitch solutions to health disparities and global health issues using innovative technologies.
• Discovering Your Professional Superpowers Course developed in collaboration with Disney to help students identify intrinsic strengths and learn resume writing, interviewing, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• The Art of Storytelling: Screenwriting for the Culture Course teaching narrative crafting that resonates with audiences and reflects culture, for TV, film, or digital platforms.
• How Does AI/ML Impact Culture? Course developed in partnership with Apple exploring AI and machine learning intersection with culture, focusing on ethical considerations and bias.
• Pocket to Production: Creating Content from the Streets to the Studio Course developed with Apple guiding students through content creation using smartphone or tablet, for aspiring music producers and content creators.
• Socially Just Coding: Explorations in Swift Course developed with Apple teaching Swift coding language while understanding coding as a tool for social justice.
• Future Proof Entrepreneurship Course led by Tawan Davis, CEO of The Steinbridge Group, designed to equip HBCU students with skills to thrive in the entrepreneurial world.
• Synthesizing Superpowers Course focusing on strengthening soft, relational skills essential for success in any creative field.
• Film and Television Modern-Day Griots Course designed to refine storytelling skills for film and television production.
• PROPEL U Connects HBCU students to skills, tools, and opportunities shaping tomorrow through challenge-based programs and scholarships.
• Faculty Fellows Program Year-long professional development program for HBCU faculty providing advanced training, research opportunities, and industry partnerships; 37 Faculty Fellows have completed the program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7,000 micro credentials and badges earned by students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• ApplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApple is a founding partner of PROPEL Center, supporting the initiative through the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. Apple provides technology, mentorship, and program support including the Arts & Entertainment Industry Accelerator and Beats Campaign & Ambassadors program. CEO Tim Cook has publicly endorsed the initiative as a core part of bringing this historic HBCU innovation hub to life.
• Southern CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern Company is a founding partner and co-creator of the HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium (HCC). President Chris Womack stated the consortium will set a benchmark for developing a future workforce to address cybersecurity needs. Southern Company provides industry expertise, tools, resources, and real-world opportunities for HBCU students.
• DisneyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney partnered with PROPEL to develop courses like 'Discovering Your Professional Superpowers' and 'The Art of Storytelling: Screenwriting for the Culture.' Disney provides industry expertise and content collaboration for culturally responsive career development courses.
• Universal Music Group (UMG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMG partnered with PROPEL Center to launch the UMG HBCU Legacy Fellowship Program, creating a talent pipeline from HBCUs to UMG by providing professional training, development, resources, and support for students to enter and succeed in the music industry.
• FanbaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFanbase, a Black-owned subscription-based social network, partnered with PROPEL Center to empower HBCU students to monetize their creative content and gain skills in content creation, marketing, and entrepreneurship. PROPEL student Christopher brought the highest number of new users to the platform.
• TruistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTruist engaged with PROPEL's Cybersecurity Accelerator students by hosting workshops and networking events where students learn about becoming cybersecurity professionals. Truist supports PROPEL in building out the talent pipeline.
• Ponix FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROPEL Center's partnership with Ponix Farms provided students at Delaware State University the unique opportunity to learn about agricultural technology and how to grow fresh produce without soil.
• AquagenuityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAquagenuity, the company that built 'the world's largest water database' according to Google, partnered with PROPEL Center to educate and engage HBCUs on saving the world's water through innovative, data-driven, community-powered technology solutions.
• Tawan DavisminorOthersTawan Davis, CEO and founding partner of The Steinbridge Group, is an individual partner leading PROPEL's 'Future Proof Entrepreneurship' course. Recognized by Forbes and Bloomberg as a foremost emerging leader, Davis brings real estate investment expertise and commitment to addressing income inequality and HBCUs.
• Kenya (International Institution)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROPEL's initiative with Kenya illustrates the transformative potential of global education. This partnership opens doors to exchange programs, joint research projects, and cultural initiatives that enrich students' academic journey and enhance employability.
• HBCU Institutional PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMiles College, Clark Atlanta University, Bishop State Community College, Trenholm State Community College, Morgan State University, and others as part of the HBCU ecosystem engaged with PROPEL Center programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Black Girls Code: Black Girls Code provides technology education to young Black women — comparable in mission of diversifying tech talent and operating tech-skills programs, though targeting pre-college learners rather than HBCU undergraduates.
• Per Scholas: Per Scholas delivers tuition-free technology training and career placement to underrepresented adults — comparable to PROPEL's tech-skills training model and employer-pipeline outcomes, though focused on non-college adult learners.
• Code.org: Code.org expands access to computer science education in K–12 and underrepresented communities — comparable mission of diversifying the tech pipeline, though K–12-focused rather than HBCU-focused.
• Generation: Generation is a global nonprofit offering employer-aligned training programs for underemployed adults — comparable methodology (challenge-based learning, employer co-design) and employer-pipeline outcomes to PROPEL's accelerators.
• Year Up: Year Up provides workforce training and corporate internships for young adults from underserved communities — comparable to PROPEL's workforce-development accelerators but serving a non-HBCU-specific population and operating at substantially larger scale.
• Braven: Braven runs career-accelerator programs for underrepresented college students at partner institutions — closely comparable to PROPEL's undergraduate accelerator structure (cohort, employer partners, post-graduation outcomes), though not exclusively HBCU.

Direct peers

• UNCF (United Negro College Fund): UNCF is the largest private nonprofit supporting HBCUs through scholarships, institutional grants, and capacity-building — directly comparable to PROPEL's grant/scholarship distribution model and HBCU ecosystem focus, though operating at much greater scale and longer tenure.
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund: TMCF supports HBCU and Predominantly Black Institution students through scholarships, leadership programs, and corporate partnerships — directly comparable mission, funding model (corporate sponsors), and student-services orientation.

Broad incumbents

• 2U: 2U partners with universities to deliver online degree and boot-camp programs — comparable digital-learning platform delivery model and university partnerships, though serving the broader higher-ed market rather than HBCU specifically.

Regional players

• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions and runs scholarship, internship, and capacity-building programs — directly analogous mission to PROPEL's HBCU work but for a different minority-serving institution segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thepropelcenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PropelCenter/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/propelcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/propelcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/propelcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments5 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Propel Center