What Ada Developers Academy does

Ada Developers Academy is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that runs a tuition-free, cohort-based software development training program for women, gender-expansive people, and other underrepresented adults pursuing careers in tech. Its core product is Ada Core, an 11-month program combining a 6-month virtual classroom (Python, SQL, Flask, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, CS fundamentals, AI tools, cloud computing, career design, and a capstone) with a 5-month paid internship at corporate partners, supported by wraparound services such as childcare subsidies, loaner laptops, and stipends totaling $15,400 over the internship. Adjacent free offerings include Ada Build (a self-guided Python curriculum) and Ada Build Live (a 6-week cohort experience scheduled to return in 2027), with a new AI-native curriculum co-developed with MIT Solve and a Google Project Management Certificate with AI skills layered onto Ada Core from Cohort 22 onward. Since inception, Ada has graduated 1,200+ students across 23+ cohorts with a 96% graduation rate, 78% tech employment within six months, and an 89% intern-to-hire conversion rate at partner companies.

The organization generates revenue through four primary streams: individual philanthropic donations (including employer matching gifts and stock donations), corporate and foundation grants and event sponsorships, large institutional grants (headlined by the $10M Equality Can't Wait Challenge award in 2021), and employer partner fees via the Adie Resume Book at roughly 10% of starting base salary plus variable intern-hosting pricing. Employer partners span Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, Google, Salesforce, Zillow, Redfin, Indeed, SAP, Pinterest, Splunk, U.S. Bank, Travelers, and Nordstrom. In March 2025, Ada expanded its footprint as a founding partner of AI House, a public-private AI innovation hub at Pier 70 in Seattle co-founded with Washington State of Commerce, the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development, and AI2 Incubator.

Following a 45% staff reduction and pause of expansion plans in 2022-2023 in response to the tech-sector contraction, Ada has been navigating a turnaround under interim and newly appointed CEOs (Shawna Young, Tina-Marie Gulley, and most recently Alexandra Holien), with a renewed focus on AI curriculum and ecosystem partnerships rather than the national city-expansion originally funded by the 2021 grant.

Name

Ada Developers Academy

Legal name

Ada Developers Academy

Website

https://adadevelopersacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ada Developers Academy is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a tuition-free, cohort-based full-stack software development training program for women, gender-expansive, and underrepresented adults, combining a 6-month virtual classroom with a 5-month paid internship at major tech employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coding Bootcamp

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

AI-Powered Tutoring & Study Assistant Platforms (EDANAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Warning & Risk Prediction (Dropout/Failure Alerts, Intervention Targeting) (EDAFAFAE), STEAM-Focused Early Learning Academies (EDACADAJ), Accessibility & ADA/Universal Design Upgrades (EDAEABAG)

Keywords

• Coding bootcamp training
• Software engineering education
• Tech workforce development
• Tuition-free developer program
• Nonprofit tech training

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic donations (individual giving): One-time and recurring donations via online campaign (adies-supporting-ada); supported by employer matching gifts, stock donations, and donate-by-mail (PO Box 944, Issaquah, WA 98027). Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit - all donations tax-deductible.
2. Corporate & foundation grants and sponsorships: Major & Foundation Gifts (led by Director Adaline 'Ada' Dunnberg); Corporate & Workplace Giving (led by Director Sarah Hammann) including event sponsorship tiers (logo placement, speaking opportunities), cause marketing co-branded campaigns, in-kind donations (laptops, software licenses, cloud credits), and workplace giving drives.
3. Major grant funding: Large institutional grants such as the $10 million from the Equality Can't Wait Challenge (2021) and the TechHire grant (Department of Labor, 2016). Grants secured include Equality Can't Wait, F5 STEM & AI grants (2025), and Seattle Technology gap grants.
4. Employer partner fees (intern hosting & Adie placement): Placement fee typically ~10% of starting base salary for alum hires sourced through the Adie Resume Book; pricing for hosting an intern varies based on company type, size, and budget.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ada Developers Academy is a tuition-free, cohort-based nonprofit coding academy that trains adult learners in full-stack web development. Its flagship 11-month Ada Core program combines a 6-month virtual classroom (Python, SQL, Flask, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, CS fundamentals, AI tools, cloud computing) with a 5-month paid internship at partner companies. Ada Build (free, self-guided Python curriculum) and Ada Build Live (6-week guided cohort) serve as on-ramps, while optional add-ons include the Ada AI Curriculum (with MIT Solve) and the Google Project Management Certificate with AI skills (with Google and Social Finance).

Product overview

Ada Developers Academy's offering is a tuition-free, cohort-based software developer training portfolio organized as a structured learning pathway rather than a single product. Ada Build is the free, self-guided beginner on-ramp covering Python and coding fundamentals; Ada Build Live is its cohort-led counterpart (paused, scheduled to return in 2027). These feed into Ada Core, the flagship 11-month program that pairs a 6-month virtual classroom (Python, SQL, Flask, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, React, CS fundamentals, AI tools, cloud computing) with a 5-month paid partner internship, producing software engineers hired across the industry. Layered on top of Ada Core are two optional add-ons introduced in 2024: the Ada AI Curriculum (built with MIT Solve) and the Google Project Management Certificate with integrated AI skills (via Google and Social Finance). Beyond programs, Ada runs an Alumni Network (1,200+ graduates, accessed via adaconnect.com), a partner/internship pipeline to companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce, and a founding-partner role in AI House (Seattle, opened March 2025), an AI innovation and inclusion hub at Pier 70.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ada Build: Free, self-guided Python and coding fundamentals curriculum for beginners, accessible to any adult who wants to learn to code.
• Ada Build Live
• Ada Core

Products and services

• Ada Core
• Ada Build
• Ada Build Live
• Ada AI Curriculum

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% graduation rate (Cohorts 1-23)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship - founding partner of ai house at pier 70, seattle alongside washington state of commerce, city of seattle office of economic development, flagship - founding partner of ai house, core - curriculum co-development partner, core - curriculum & certificate partner, core - curriculum partner, core - free mentorship partner, minor - historical fiscal sponsor, minor - historical financial inclusion partner, historical - founding partner, flagship - hosting & hiring partner, major - hosting & hiring partner and historical founding sponsor.

• AI2 Incubatorflagship - founding partner of ai house at pier 70, seattle alongside washington state of commerce, city of seattle office of economic developmentStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025AI2 Incubator is a co-founding partner of AI House, a public-private AI hub at historic Pier 70 in Seattle launched March 28, 2025. AI House serves as a launchpad for AI startups, gathering place for thought leaders, and community for responsible AI development. Co-founded with Washington State of Commerce, City of Seattle Office of Economic Development, and Ada Developers Academy.
• City of Seattle Office of Economic Developmentflagship - founding partner of ai houseStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025Founding partner of AI House at Pier 70 in Seattle, launched March 2025. Mayor Bruce Harrell and the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development launched the AI incubator to propel the next generation of AI entrepreneurs. Includes a $545,000 grant from the City of Seattle (2023) to expand digital literacy.
• Washington State of Commerceflagship - founding partner of ai houseStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025Public-private partnership co-founding AI House at Pier 70, Seattle, to ensure AI innovation is cutting-edge, inclusive, and community-driven.
• MIT Solvecore - curriculum co-development partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnered with MIT Solve to develop Ada's AI curriculum, which was integrated into the flagship program in 2024 (Cohort 22). Ada Developers Academy developed AI curriculum in partnership with MIT Solve.
• Googlecore - curriculum & certificate partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Google and Social Finance enables students to earn the Google Project Management Certificate with integrated AI skills as part of the Ada Core curriculum. Featured in Google's blog 'Two years of progress for the Google Career Certificates Fund' (Dec 2024).
• Social Financecore - curriculum partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Google and Social Finance integrates the Google Project Management Certificate into Ada Core curriculum with AI skills (2024).
• Wevisecore - free mentorship partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2023Free, on-demand mentorship platform partnership (announced November 6, 2023). Wevise provides preferential matching of Ada mentees with mentors who have similar lived experiences; platform provides up to five curated mentor/mentee matches at a time. Mentor signup at ada.wevise.org/mentor-signup.
• TSNE Mission Worksminor - historical fiscal sponsorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015In 2015 (Cohort 3), Ada Developers Academy became a project of fiscal sponsor TSNE Mission Works to support organizational growth. Ada has since transitioned into an independent 501(c).
• Craft 3minor - historical financial inclusion partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partnered with Craft 3 in 2013 to support the Ada Loan Fund, a low-interest loan program supporting student living costs during the classroom portion of Ada.
• Technology Alliancehistorical - founding partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Ada Developers Academy launched initially as a project of the Technology Alliance (2013). Board President Laura Ruderman serves as CEO of Technology Alliance. Susannah Malarkey, Executive Director of Technology Alliance, was Ada's parent organization lead.
• Amazonflagship - hosting & hiring partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013Flagship host and hire partner since 2013. Hosts Ada interns for 3-6 month stipended experiences and hires Adie graduates as full-time software engineers (Gabi converted to full-time Software Engineer at Amazon after interning). Hosts AdieCon alumni conference at Amazon's Day 1 building.
• Oracleflagship - hosting & hiring partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlagship host and hire partner. Hosts Ada interns and hires Adie graduates as software engineers.
• Salesforceflagship - hosting & hiring partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeatured in Salesforce's The 360 Blog 'Future Pathways: 5 Alumni Making a Mark at Salesforce' (Oct 2025). Hosts Ada interns and hires alumni. Board member Semirah Dolan is Senior Solutions Engineer at Salesforce.
• Zillowmajor - hosting & hiring partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHires Ada interns and alumni. Testimonial: 'Not only have the employees we hired through Ada internships continued to grow in their careers, given the strong foundation they started with, but they have all been strong carriers of our core values' - Rebekah Bastian, VP of Community & Culture, Zillow.
• Redfinmajor - hosting & hiring partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts Ada interns and hires alumni. Testimonial: 'Ada has developed a special formula for taking people with an interest in tech, and turning them into people who can contribute to a code base on day one' - Bridget Frey, CTO, Redfin.
• Zillow Group (historical partner)historical founding sponsorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a founding sponsor at Ada's 2013 launch alongside Substantial, Foundry Interactive, EnergySavvy, and ActiveBuilding.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Girls Who Code: Nonprofit focused on closing the gender gap in technology through education and workforce programs for girls and women; directly comparable in mission, target audience (women/non-binary in tech), and free cohort-based learning model.
• Black Girls CODE: Nonprofit providing technology education for Black girls and women; shares Ada's mission of increasing representation in tech and offers similar tuition-free/scholarship-funded coding programs with a similar student demographic.
• Code2040: Nonprofit focused on racial equity in tech, providing career pathways and fellowships for Black and Latinx software engineers; comparable mission and target population to Ada's underrepresented racial communities focus.
• Resilient Coders: Nonprofit coding bootcamp serving young adults from underrepresented backgrounds with tuition-free full-stack web development training; directly comparable cohort-based, mission-driven training model targeting the same equity-in-tech outcomes.
• Hackbright Academy: Coding bootcamp originally founded for women, offering software engineering training with similar software engineering curriculum and target demographic; comparable as a women-in-tech engineering education program.
• http://adadevelopersacademy.org/dev/color: Nonprofit community and professional development organization for Black software engineers; comparable mission of advancing Black representation in tech through community, mentorship, and career support.
• The Last Mile: Nonprofit providing coding and workforce development for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals; shares the tuition-free, cohort-based model with paid apprenticeship/internship bridge to corporate partners.

Emerging players

• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit offering year-long training programs with corporate internships; explicitly cited as a model for Ada's early cohort structure and an analogous tuition-free program with employer partner internship model.
• All Star Code: Nonprofit preparing young men of color for careers in tech through coding and professional development; shares the mission of increasing representation of underrepresented groups in technology careers.

Broad incumbents

• Code.org: Largest nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science; a broader-scale peer in the DEI-in-CS space, working across K-12 with significant corporate and foundation funding similar to Ada's grant-based model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/adaacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/adadevelopers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ada-developers-academy
• Instagraminstagram.com/adadevacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ada Developers Academy