Project Lead The Way
Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit that provides PreK-12 STEM and CTE curriculum, professional development, and digital learning tools to 12,600+ U.S. K-12 schools and 2.4M+ students. Programs span engineering, biomedical science, computer science, and emerging AI and cybersecurity pathways.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Project Lead The Way does
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, that develops and delivers PreK-12 STEM and CTE curricula to K-12 schools and districts across the United States. Its curriculum portfolio spans six branded programs — PLTW Launch (PreK-5), PLTW Gateway (grades 6-8), PLTW Algebra 1 Advantage (grades 6-12), PLTW Computer Science (grades 9-12), PLTW Engineering (grades 9-12), and PLTW Biomedical Science (grades 9-12) — delivered through the myPLTW digital learning management platform. Supporting the curriculum is the PLTW Core Training professional development program, delivered by PLTW-certified Master Teachers who are current classroom practitioners, and the PLTW Store, an e-commerce channel for required equipment and supplies. The organization reports reaching 2.4 million+ students across 12,600+ schools with 116,000+ trained teachers.
PLTW's revenue model combines recurring curriculum licensing and program fees paid by schools and districts (custom, quote-based, annual cadence), professional development services revenue, and hardware/supplies sales through the PLTW Store. Operating revenue is supplemented by corporate and foundation grants — including a $5 million three-year Lilly Endowment grant (2024), a $1 million Phillips 66 commitment atop $4 million since 2023, $1.45 million from the Caterpillar Foundation since 2022, and a $200,000-plus AWS Imagine Grant (2025) — that fund implementation grants, expansion into underserved communities, and curriculum modernization. Go-to-market runs through direct field and inside sales to district administrators, state education department partnerships (notably the Indiana Department of Education), and corporate partner channels.
The organization's strategic agenda is actively evolving: PLTW launched a four-pillar national AI strategy in late 2025, integrated the CompTIA Security+ cybersecurity certification into its curriculum in 2026, and announced a first-of-its-kind statewide cybersecurity initiative in Indiana scaling from 69 to 200 high schools. It also expanded into microschool and alternative education settings through partnerships with the Indiana Microschool Collaborative and into workforce-readiness tooling via a strategic collaboration with YouScience. Leadership is provided by President and CEO David Dimmett, and the organization reports 251-500 employees.
Project Lead The Way firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project Lead The Way
- Legal name
- Project Lead The Way, Inc.
- Website
- https://pltw.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit that provides PreK-12 STEM and CTE curriculum, professional development, and digital learning tools to 12,600+ U.S. K-12 schools and 2.4M+ students. Programs span engineering, biomedical science, computer science, and emerging AI and cybersecurity pathways.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project Lead The Way industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 STEM Education Curriculum
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Core Digital Curriculum & Courseware (Full Programs & Units) (EDAFACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Teacher-Led Digital Lesson Packages & Instructional Resources (EDAFACAL), STEM Teacher Tools, Curriculum & Lesson Planning Platforms (EDAFANAK)
Keywords
Where Project Lead The Way is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Project Lead The Way business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Curriculum Licensing and Program Fees: PLTW generates revenue through licensing its STEM/CTE curriculum programs to schools and districts. Schools pay for access to PLTW programs, professional development training for teachers, and curriculum materials/equipment. The model includes implementation grants and expansion grants funded through corporate partnerships.
- Professional Development Services: PLTW Core Training is delivered by PLTW-certified Master Teachers who are current classroom practitioners. This signature training is a key revenue stream and differentiates PLTW from 'curriculum in a box' competitors.
- Equipment and Supplies Sales: The PLTW Store sells equipment and supplies needed to run PLTW programs effectively. Shipping is included and everything comes on one purchase order.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom pricing based on school/district implementation scope |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Project Lead The Way product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) provides PreK-12 STEM and career technical education (CTE) curriculum through six core programs (Launch, Gateway, Algebra 1 Advantage, Computer Science, Engineering, Biomedical Science). The offering combines hands-on, project-based curriculum with the myPLTW digital platform, signature Core Training delivered by certified Master Teachers, and equipment/supplies sold through the PLTW Store, all licensed to schools and districts.
Product overview
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a PreK-12 nonprofit educational organization offering a unified platform of hands-on, project-based STEM and CTE curriculum programs. The portfolio spans six core curriculum products: PLTW Launch (PreK-5), PLTW Gateway (middle school), PLTW Algebra 1 Advantage (grades 6-12), PLTW Computer Science (9-12), PLTW Engineering (9-12), and PLTW Biomedical Science (9-12). Supporting these core products are the myPLTW digital platform for content delivery and classroom management, PLTW Core Training for educator professional development, and the Professional Development Suite. The architecture combines curriculum delivery with teacher training and digital tools to provide a comprehensive STEM education solution, with recent expansion into AI literacy and cybersecurity pathways.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PLTW Launch: PreK through 5 curriculum program
- PLTW Gateway
- PLTW Algebra 1 Advantage
- PLTW Computer Science
- PLTW Engineering
- PLTW Biomedical Science
- Career Advantage
Products and services
- PLTW Launch PreK through 5 STEM curriculum featuring hands-on, project-based learning modules that connect real-life experiences to future career paths through discovery and play-based exploration. Targeted at elementary schools implementing foundational STEM programs.
- PLTW Gateway Middle school curriculum for grades 6-8 focusing on discovery and building confidence through exploratory modules spanning the career landscape. Targeted at middle schools implementing exploratory STEM units.
- PLTW Algebra 1 Advantage Grades 6-12 curriculum bridging algebra theory to real-world applications through immersive, problem-based learning experiences. Targeted at schools seeking to connect algebra to practical applications and career readiness.
- PLTW Computer Science High school computer science curriculum (grades 9-12) empowering students with transferable technology skills and preparing them for any career path through coding, cybersecurity, and computational thinking. Targeted at high schools implementing computer science pathways.
- PLTW Engineering High school engineering curriculum (grades 9-12) engaging students in compelling real-world challenges through courses including Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and Engineering Design and Development. Targeted at high schools offering engineering pathways.
- PLTW Biomedical Science High school biomedical science curriculum (grades 9-12) providing experience with state-of-the-art tools and techniques used in hospitals and labs, covering Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovation. Targeted at high schools offering biomedical science pathways.
- myPLTW Digital learning management platform providing teacher and student access to PLTW curriculum, classroom management, roster management, and online learning resources. Includes LMS integration capabilities for embedding PLTW content within institutional LMS platforms.
- PLTW Core Training Professional development program for educators featuring signature collaborative training taught by PLTW-certified Master Teachers who are current classroom practitioners, covering implementation and pedagogy. Targeted at K-12 educators and teachers seeking certification to deliver PLTW programs.
- PLTW Professional Development Suite Comprehensive professional development ecosystem including Core Training, training schedules, and ongoing educator support resources. Targeted at schools and districts seeking a complete professional development offering for PLTW program implementation.
- PLTW Store (Equipment and Supplies) Online store selling equipment and supplies needed to run PLTW programs effectively, with shipping included on one purchase order. Requires myPLTW account for purchase. Targeted at schools implementing PLTW curriculum programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% of middle school students show increased interest in STEM after PLTW programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Project Lead The Way
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Project Lead The Way technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
Project Lead The Way partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- YouSciencecoreStrategic collaboration to transform how students are prepared for the future of work. Partnership combines YouScience's aptitude evaluation platform YouScience Brightpath with PLTW's hands-on STEM curriculum to address the student readiness gap. Collaboration announced May 18, 2026, with headquarters in American Fork, Utah and Indianapolis.
- College BoardsupportingPartnership with Indiana's Department of Education to expand high school cybersecurity education. Program aims to increase access from 562 students to 4,000 students across 200 high schools over three years.
- Indiana Department of EducationcoreFirst-of-its-kind statewide initiative to expand cybersecurity education in Indiana high schools. Initiative aims to address over 20,000 cybersecurity job openings by scaling course offerings from 69 to 200 public high schools and reaching approximately 4,000 students, providing no-cost professional development for educators through grant funding. Creates military-aligned cybersecurity pathway connecting high schools, two- and four-year institutions, the National Guard, and employers.
- Indiana Microschool CollaborativesupportingStatewide partnership to introduce career and technical education skills to elementary and middle school students through hands-on, STEM-based learning in microschool settings. Initiative embeds transferable skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and communication into core content areas via personalized, project-based microschool models.
- CompTIAcorePartnership to incorporate Security+ cybersecurity certification into PLTW curriculum starting in 2026. Initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity education and credential recognition among high school students, addressing global demand for cybersecurity professionals.
- Indiana Microschool CollaborativesupportingPartnership to develop and pilot new learning units for microschools in Indiana, with future plans for nationwide expansion. Collaboration aims to provide high-quality, hands-on STEM and career-connected curriculum tailored for small, flexible learning environments.
- Lockheed MartincoreCorporate partner supporting PLTW Engineering programs. Featured in alumni success stories showing students launching careers at Lockheed Martin. Partnership contributes to STEM workforce pipeline.
- John DeerecoreCorporate partner supporting PLTW programs. Featured in national awards recognition and program support.
- ChevroncoreCorporate partner supporting PLTW STEM initiatives, particularly in Gulf Coast communities. Partnership includes impact profile highlighting community building in STEM education.
- ToyotacoreCorporate partner supporting PLTW programs and national awards recognition.
- VerizonsupportingCorporate partner supporting PLTW initiatives through technology and connectivity partnerships.
- Goizueta (Emory University)supportingUniversity partner supporting PLTW programs and student pathways.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Project Lead The Way competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
Direct peers
- Discovery Education: Discovery Education provides K-12 digital curriculum, STEM resources, and professional development to U.S. schools and districts. It is a direct competitor to PLTW across multiple STEM and CTE subject areas with a similar district-licensing business model.
- LEGO Education: LEGO Education offers hands-on, project-based STEM learning solutions and curriculum for PreK-12, including robotics and engineering kits. It directly competes with PLTW in elementary and middle school STEM curriculum adoption by U.S. schools.
- Carnegie Learning: Carnegie Learning provides K-12 math, STEM, and computer science curricula (e.g., MATHia, OpenSciEd) along with professional development. It competes with PLTW in math, computer science, and STEM pathways, particularly at the high school level.
- VEX Robotics: VEX Robotics provides STEM and robotics curriculum kits, competitions, and teacher training for K-12 classrooms. It overlaps with PLTW's engineering and computer science pathways, especially in middle and high school robotics programs.
- BrainPOP: BrainPOP offers K-12 digital curriculum content across STEM, science, and computer science with built-in teacher tools. It competes with PLTW for digital STEM curriculum budget at the elementary and middle school level.
- Imagine Learning: Imagine Learning provides digital K-12 curriculum and supplemental programs in math, science, and ELA, with associated professional development. It competes with PLTW for district STEM and supplemental curriculum dollars.
Emerging players
- Code.org: Code.org provides free K-12 computer science curriculum and teacher professional development, supported by major philanthropic funding. It is an emerging/free alternative in the same CS curriculum category as PLTW's Computer Science pathway.
- Tynker: Tynker provides K-12 coding and computer science curriculum used in schools and at home. It is an emerging player with partial overlap to PLTW's Computer Science pathway, especially at the elementary and middle school levels.
Broad incumbents
- Edmentum: Edmentum is a broad K-12 EdTech provider offering curriculum, assessment, and credit recovery across many subjects including STEM/CTE. As a larger, portfolio incumbent it overlaps with PLTW's STEM and CTE pathways at the high school level.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project Lead The Way social profiles
Digital presenceProject Lead The Way compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Project Lead The Way financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project Lead The Way leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Project Lead The Way funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Project Lead The Way M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Project Lead The Way
What does Project Lead The Way do?
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) provides PreK-12 STEM and career technical education (CTE) curriculum through six core programs (Launch, Gateway, Algebra 1 Advantage, Computer Science, Engineering, Biomedical Science). The offering combines hands-on, project-based curriculum with the myPLTW digital platform, signature Core Training delivered by certified Master Teachers, and equipment/supplies sold through the PLTW Store, all licensed to schools and districts.
Is Project Lead The Way a public or private company?
Project Lead The Way is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project Lead The Way founded?
Project Lead The Way was founded in 1997. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Project Lead The Way based?
Project Lead The Way is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Project Lead The Way make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Curriculum Licensing and Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are professional Development Services and equipment and Supplies Sales.
Who are Project Lead The Way's main competitors?
Curriculum Associates (iReady) is listed as an others. Direct peers are Discovery Education, LEGO Education, Carnegie Learning, VEX Robotics, BrainPOP and Imagine Learning. Emerging players are Code.org and Tynker. Edmentum is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Project Lead The Way have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project Lead The Way.
What industry is Project Lead The Way in?
Project Lead The Way's product category is K-12 STEM Education Curriculum. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFACAA, Core Digital Curriculum & Courseware (Full Programs & Units), with a secondary code of EDAFACAL, Teacher-Led Digital Lesson Packages & Instructional Resources. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.