Code First Girls
Code First Girls is a UK-based edtech platform that delivers free coding and tech education to women globally, funded by employer sponsorships and corporate training contracts with 130+ enterprise partners across financial services, defense, consulting, consumer, and media.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Code First Girls does
Code First Girls is a UK-based edtech company founded in 2012 and headquartered in London, operating a free online learning platform that delivers coding and technology education to women and non-binary learners across more than 100 countries. Its product portfolio comprises a self-paced learner funnel beginning with Tech Tasters and Coding Kickstarter foundation courses (Python, Data & SQL, C#, JavaScript), progressing into the 16-week CFGdegree in Software Engineering, Data Engineering, Data Science, Full-Stack Development, and Product Management, and extending into +Masters specializations in DevOps & Cloud, AI/ML, Data Analysis, Cyber Security, and Vulnerability Research, plus a Mid-Level Accelerator for junior practitioners with 1.5+ years of experience. The company has delivered over 300,000 free learning opportunities, reports a 96% job placement rate and 98% job retention rate among program graduates, and maintains what it describes as one of the world's largest data sets on diverse technology talent.
The business model is a two-sided B2B2C structure in which all individual courses are offered free to learners and revenue is generated entirely through corporate sponsorship. Employer partners fund the CFGdegree and bespoke cohort programs in exchange for access to a pre-trained, diverse talent pipeline, while a parallel Employee Training service addresses corporate upskilling and workforce transformation needs. Go-to-market combines a community-led, self-serve learner funnel (website, blog, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, ambassador and instructor programs, university partnerships) with direct enterprise sales targeting HR, talent acquisition, and DE&I buyers. Named partners include Nike, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, Booking.com, BAE Systems, Deloitte, BBC, Activision Blizzard, The Economist Group, Capgemini, Skyscanner, TUI, Commercetools, Credit Suisse, and over 100 additional enterprises globally. The company is privately held, venture-backed by Active Partners, Alma Angels, and Hermesa following a £4.5 million Series A in September 2022, and operates additional program locations in Bangalore, Berlin, New York, Pittsburgh, and Singapore.
Code First Girls firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Code First Girls
- Legal name
- Code First Girls Ltd
- Website
- http://www.codefirstgirls.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Code First Girls is a UK-based edtech platform that delivers free coding and tech education to women globally, funded by employer sponsorships and corporate training contracts with 130+ enterprise partners across financial services, defense, consulting, consumer, and media.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Code First Girls industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tech Education & Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coding & Programming Learning Platforms (EDAFANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++) (EDAMACAB), Basic Coding & Computational Thinking (EDAAAIAN), Web Development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript, Front-End/Back-End) (EDAMACAC)
Keywords
Where Code First Girls is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Code First Girls business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Employer Sponsorship of Education: Companies sponsor the CFGdegree and other programs, paying to access a pipeline of diverse, job-ready tech talent. Programs include company-sponsored placements, consultant placements, and education-only opportunities.
- Corporate Training Programs: Organizations pay for employee training and workforce transformation projects, including talent attraction, diversity initiatives, and upskilling programs.
- Series A Funding: Raised £4.5 million in Series A funding led by Active Partners to expand services and support 26,000+ women through the CFGdegree program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free courses for learners - Tech Tasters, Coding Kickstarter, CFGdegree, +Masters, Mid-Level Accelerator |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Code First Girls product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Code First Girls delivers free coding education to women and non-binary individuals through a structured curriculum spanning beginner to advanced levels (Tech Tasters, Coding Kickstarter, CFGdegree, +Masters, Mid-Level Accelerator), covering Software Engineering, Data Science, Full-Stack Development, Product Management, AI/ML, Cyber Security, DevOps & Cloud, and Vulnerability Research. Courses are 100% free for learners and funded by corporate employer sponsors. On the employer side, the company provides talent attraction, employee training, and workforce transformation services.
Product overview
Code First Girls is an edtech platform providing free coding education to women globally, operating a portfolio of interconnected educational products. The core learner-facing offerings include Tech Tasters (introductory courses), Coding Kickstarter (foundation classes), CFGdegree (16-week advanced intensive), +Masters (specialization extension), and Mid-Level Accelerator (advanced program for experienced professionals). Supporting services include Career Pathways (career guidance) and a Community program with university partnerships and instructor/ambassador opportunities. On the employer side, the platform offers Talent Attraction (hiring diverse tech talent), Employee Training (workforce upskilling), and Code First Teams. The company generates revenue through employer partnerships and corporate sponsorship of learner programs, enabling all individual courses to remain 100% free.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tech Tasters Introductory self-paced courses for beginners introducing principles of key tech topics, career development, and core tech concepts. Includes certification upon successful completion. Free for learners.
- Coding Kickstarter Beginner foundation course covering Python, Data & SQL, C#, and JavaScript with self-paced learning and community support. Completion makes learners eligible for the CFGdegree program. Free for learners.
- CFGdegree Advanced 16-week intensive job-ready program covering Software Engineering, Data Engineering, Data Science, Full-Stack Development, and Product Management. 100% free for candidates, sponsored by employers.
- +Masters 4-week extension course from CFGdegree offering specialization in DevOps and Cloud, AI/ML, Data Analysis, Cyber Security, and Vulnerability Research. 100% free for candidates.
- Mid-Level Accelerator 16-week advanced program for junior or entry-level tech talent with a minimum of 1.5 years of experience, aiming to progress to mid-level technical roles in Python, JavaScript, or Java.
- Career Pathways Career guidance service helping learners build tech career pathways linked to in-demand skills and roles across Software Engineering, Data Science, Full-Stack Development, Product Management, AI/ML, Cyber Security, DevOps & Cloud, and more.
- Talent Attraction Employer-facing service helping businesses attract and hire diverse tech talent from the Code First Girls community of over 300,000 women.
- Employee Training Workforce transformation program for employers to upskill existing employees, with solutions for productivity improvement, retention, and recruitment cost savings.
- Code First Teams Business solution empowering organizations with employee training opportunities to pave the way for a more inclusive, skilled, and innovative tech industry.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% job placement rate for program graduates
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Code First Girls
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Code First Girls technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Code First Girls partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Natwest GroupminorEmployer partner with logo displayed on Code First Girls website as partner.
- NikecoreMajor employer partner. Nike EMEA Technical Recruiting uses Code First Girls to find talented graduates for tech roles. Partnership includes Python & Apps classes in Hilversum, CFGdegree program 1183% oversubscribed, with candidates matched to Nike values of community.
- Goldman SachscoreEmployer partner using oversubscribed program to hire in Poland and UK. Cohort characteristics: 63% career switchers, 44% first-generation university attendees.
- BarclaysminorEmployer partner with logo displayed on Code First Girls website as partner.
- Morgan StanleycoreEmployer partner using program to hire entry-level software engineers in Budapest. Cohort: 99% underrepresented ethnicities, 85% career-focused participants.
- UnilevercoreEmployer partner leveraging pipeline to place CFGdegree graduates in roles like Solutions Factory DevOps Specialist and Solutions Factory ML Ops Specialist in Bangalore and Port Sunlight.
- Rolls-RoycecoreEmployer partner that exceeded hiring targets by 150% in New York and Pittsburgh. Hired software engineers, data ops managers, and scrum managers with 83% from underrepresented ethnicities and 50% first-generation university attendees.
- BAE SystemsminorEmployer partner hiring diverse tech talent with varied experiences outside the tech sector.
- DeloittecoreCloud Engineer placement from CFGdegree program. Graduate transitioned seamlessly into role at Deloitte.
- JustEat TakeawayminorEmployer partner with alumni placed as Senior Tech Risk Engineer.
- Booking.comcoreEmployer partner using program to hire junior software engineers in Amsterdam from cohort with 94% underrepresented ethnicities and 50% career switchers.
- The Economist GroupcoreEmployer partner supporting tech pipelines in Singapore with 78% oversubscription. Cohort: 84% beginner-level women, 69% from underrepresented ethnicities, 44% career switchers.
- Activision BlizzardcoreEmployer partner collaborating to champion female and non-binary talent in tech and gaming. Collaboration supported 750+ students through individual classes, advancing goal of creating inclusive future for gaming.
- BBCminorEmployer partner with alumni placed as Software Engineer through CFGdegree program.
- Credit SuisseminorEmployer partner enhancing employer brand and hiring pipeline by training cohort in Zurich covering AI, ML, Cybersecurity. Cohort: 81% new to tech, 63% from underrepresented ethnicities, 61% career switchers.
- CapgeminicoreEmployer partner with pilot program in Germany placing 80+ graduates globally for junior infrastructure admin roles.
- SkyscannerminorEmployer partner achieving 4% year-over-year increase in women in tech roles in Barcelona, with 62% beginner-level participants and 85% career switchers.
- TUIcoreEmployer partner hiring Junior Software Developers in Madeira from cohort with 75% career switchers and 100% non-computer science backgrounds.
- CommercetoolsminorEmployer partner using program to hire entry-level tech talent for Junior Software Engineering and Junior Site Reliability Engineering roles in Berlin.
- 130+ Employer Partners (aggregated)core130+ global employer partners including: GCHQ, Activision Blizzard, Unilever, Zopa, Thales, GfK, UK Parliament, Legal & General, Aviva, Cabinet Office, Lloyds Banking Group, Sainsbury's, BT, Admiral, Skyscanner, Black Rock, Veygo, Intellectual Property Office, Ford, Global, Hubspot, Bank of America, dstl, Experian, MDR, Fidelity, SMBC, MBDA, The Travel Corp, Capital One, Flutter, Slalom, Starling Bank, BRIT, In Space Missions, HSBC, Temenos, Avast, TPX impact, Dunelm, Tesco Bank, National Grid, Ordnance Survey, SS&C, First Rate, CarTrawler, Discover US, Zscaler, EXL, Selfridges, Openreach, Kayenta, Moneybox, Ki, IQVIA, PA Consulting, Sahaj Software, TravelPerk, Servicenow, Softwire, Find My Past, VMWare, DWP Digital, Jezby, SkyDemon, Beazley, Accenture, UK Oman Digital Hub, Swiss Re, Trapdoor Labs, Kaluza, Attest, Mediaocean, Redkite, Clear Bank, Dojo, Man Group, Policy Expert, FNZ, HSO International, Qinetiq, Carnival UK, Smartsheet, Wise, Chwarae Teg, Domestics & General, William Hill, iptiQ, Howden, Brandwatch, Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester, SO Energy, Counter Terrorism Policing, Deutsche Bank.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Code First Girls competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- General Assembly: Global coding bootcamp and workforce transformation provider offering employer-sponsored training programs in software engineering, data, and product. Directly comparable to CFG's CFGdegree model and employer-funded cohort structure, though gender-neutral.
- Multiverse: UK-based apprenticeship and tech training provider that delivers employer-funded learning in software engineering and data. Directly comparable business model to CFG's employer-sponsorship freemium approach, with similar enterprise sales motion.
- Makers Academy: UK-based coding bootcamp offering intensive software engineering training with employer hiring partnerships. Comparable on curriculum structure, delivery format, and employer-funded placement model, though gender-neutral.
- Le Wagon: Global coding bootcamp with intensive full-stack, data science, and data engineering programs across 40+ cities. Comparable on curriculum (Python, JS, data), cohort delivery, and global footprint, though operates paid-ticket model rather than CFG's employer sponsorship model.
- Springboard: Online tech bootcamp offering job-ready programs in software engineering, data science, and cyber security with mentor support and career services. Comparable curriculum and target learner profile, with similar self-paced online delivery model.
- Flatiron School: US-based coding and data science bootcamp with intensive programs and career coaching. Comparable curriculum and outcomes focus (job placement), though operates on tuition-based rather than employer-sponsorship model.
- Generation You Employed: Global nonprofit offering free, employer-driven training programs in tech and digital skills with strong placement outcomes. Directly comparable mission-aligned, employer-sponsored, free-for-learner model targeting under-represented groups.
Emerging players
- Ada Ventures: European-focused venture builder backing companies that broaden access to technology careers, with overlap on the diversity-in-tech mission and UK ecosystem. Less of a direct bootcamp peer; more thematic alignment.
Broad incumbents
- Coursera: Large online learning platform offering tech and data courses including coding bootcamps and career credentials. Broad incumbent in online tech education; overlaps with CFG on curriculum and learner accessibility but lacks the employer-sponsored talent placement engine.
- Udacity: Online learning platform specialising in tech and AI upskilling programs, including 'Nanodegree' programs with employer partnerships. Comparable on advanced tech curriculum (AI, data, cloud) and employer-paid revenue model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Code First Girls social profiles
Digital presenceCode First Girls financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Code First Girls leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Code First Girls funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Code First Girls 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 Code First Girls
What does Code First Girls do?
Code First Girls delivers free coding education to women and non-binary individuals through a structured curriculum spanning beginner to advanced levels (Tech Tasters, Coding Kickstarter, CFGdegree, +Masters, Mid-Level Accelerator), covering Software Engineering, Data Science, Full-Stack Development, Product Management, AI/ML, Cyber Security, DevOps & Cloud, and Vulnerability Research. Courses are 100% free for learners and funded by corporate employer sponsors. On the employer side, the company provides talent attraction, employee training, and workforce transformation services.
Is Code First Girls a public or private company?
Code First Girls is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Code First Girls founded?
Code First Girls was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Code First Girls based?
Code First Girls is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Code First Girls make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Employer Sponsorship of Education is the primary driver. The others are corporate Training Programs and series A Funding.
Who are Code First Girls's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are General Assembly, Multiverse, Makers Academy, Le Wagon, Springboard, Flatiron School and Generation You Employed. Ada Ventures is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Coursera and Udacity.
Does Code First Girls have an API?
No public API is recorded for Code First Girls.
What industry is Code First Girls in?
Code First Girls's product category is Tech Education & Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFANAA, Coding & Programming Learning Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAMACAB, Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++). Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.