Year Up

What Year Up does

Year Up United is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. It delivers a tuition-free job training program — branded as Career Pathways — to young adults aged 18-30, primarily from underserved and low-income backgrounds. Students progress through a skills-first learning phase followed by a paid corporate internship, with the option to continue into postsecondary education; an Accelerated Model compresses the traditional 12-month cycle to seven months. Training is delivered across 20+ U.S. campuses through a combination of virtual and in-person engagements and spans four Career Pathways: Software Development, IT, Business Operations, and Human Resources. The supporting technology stack includes a Student Portal, Alumni Portal, Career Connect Portal, Volunteer Portal, and CeDiploma/CeCertificate digital credentials issued through CeCredentialTrust. YUPRO Placement, a wholly-owned subsidiary, provides alumni-exclusive talent placement services.

The organization operates a dual go-to-market model: students are recruited via website application portal, social media (TikTok, LinkedIn), community partnerships (BigFuture, City Year), and referrals, while corporations are engaged through dedicated Corporate Engagement teams. Corporate partners host paid interns and pay per-intern fees commensurate with entry-level talent costs, with no fee if the company hires the intern at the conclusion. The funding stack also includes donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations — notably a $10 million AbbVie commitment in October 2024 and a $1.5 million Citizens Bank commitment in May 2026 — plus federal grants (Social Innovation Fund, Institute of Education Sciences) and research partnerships with Abt Associates, University of Pennsylvania, and Arnold Ventures. Named corporate partners include Bank of America (4,000+ interns since 2006; 80% FTE conversion in 2024), Microsoft, LinkedIn, JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce, Fidelity (500+ interns since 2002), Harvard (580+ interns since 2003), Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Merck, CVS, Exelon, and TE Connectivity.

Year Up United has supported more than 52,000 students across its history and maintains a 35,000+ alumni network. Outcomes include a $55,000 average annual starting salary, 72% employment or postsecondary enrollment within four months of graduation, 92% alumni satisfaction, and a 45% average intern-to-hire conversion at host companies. The PACE Evaluation (2011-2022), a federally-sponsored RCT conducted with Abt Associates, demonstrated 30% higher earnings for participants six years post-graduation and $2.46 in societal benefits per $1 invested. The organization has held a four-star Charity Navigator rating for twelve consecutive years and was recognized on Newsweek's America's Most Charitable Companies list (No. 15) in 2026. Susan Murray was appointed CEO in March 2026 after serving as Chief Revenue Officer.

Name

Year Up

Legal name

Year Up, Inc.

Website

https://yearup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Year Up United is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Boston, that delivers tuition-free job training and paid corporate internships to young adults aged 18-30 across 20+ U.S. campuses, funded by corporate partnerships, donations, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Job Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Computer Training (61142), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Internship/Apprenticeship Matching & Work-Based Learning Platforms (EDAFAMAL)

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Job training programs
• Career pathway training
• Corporate internship programs
• Youth employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnership Fees: Corporate partners make a financial investment in Year Up United on a per-intern basis, commensurate with entry-level talent costs. There is no fee if companies decide to hire interns at the conclusion of their internships.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Year Up United is funded through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Notable donations include AbbVie's $10 million commitment and Citizens Bank's $1.5 million workforce development commitment.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Year Up United receives federal grants and foundation support for research and program expansion, including funding from the Social Innovation Fund, Institute of Education Sciences, and partnerships with organizations like Arnold Ventures and Blue Meridian Partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Year Up United provides tuition-free, skills-first job training across four Career Pathways (Software Development, IT, Business Operations, and Project Management) for young adults aged 18-30, delivered through a combination of virtual and in-person engagements. The training is paired with a six-month paid internship at a corporate partner, followed by ongoing alumni career support and job placement services via YUPRO Placement.

Product overview

Year Up United is a national workforce development nonprofit offering a suite of interconnected programs centered on its core Career Pathways platform — a tuition-free, skills-first job training program delivered across four pathways (Software Development, Business Operations, IT, and Human Resources) through combined virtual and in-person sessions. Students progress through a learning and development phase followed by paid internships with corporate partners, with the option to pursue further postsecondary education. The ecosystem includes supporting products: dedicated portals for prospective students (Student Portal), alumni (Alumni Portal), and Career Connect participants; the CeDiploma/CeCertificate digital credentialing system (via CeCredentialTrust); the YUPRO Placement alumni job placement service; Career Services providing personalized coaching and job search support; an Accelerated Model compressing the program to seven months; and the Professional Training Corps model delivered through academic partnerships. The organization's research arm conducts rigorous RCT evaluations (PACE). The Black Opportunity Alliance provides targeted support for Black young adults.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Career Pathways Year Up United's primary tuition-free job training offering, providing skills-first training across four Career Pathways (Software Development, Business Operations, IT, and Project Management) through a combination of virtual and in-person engagements, followed by hands-on internships with corporate partners. Designed for young adults aged 18-30 seeking career advancement.
• Internship Program Work-based experience component of Career Pathways, placing students in paid internships with corporate partners across various business functions including IT, software development, business operations, finance, and project management. Designed for corporations seeking entry-level talent pipelines.
• YUPRO Placement

Named customers17 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.

• Navy Federal Credit UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership since 2016. Navy Federal has welcomed over 155 interns across Business Operations, IT, and Software Development teams.
• Bank of AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Bank of America has welcomed over 4,000 Year Up United interns across the country since 2006. 80% of 2024 interns converted to full-time employees. Jason Coullette rose from kitchen employee to Senior Vice President.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Harvard has hosted more than 580 Year Up United interns across IT, Software Development, Business Operations, HR, Finance since 2003. Over 210 alumni converted to full-time roles.
• Fidelity InvestmentscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Partnership since 2002, one of longest-standing connections. Over 500 interns hosted with 460 program alumni working full-time at Fidelity.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft hosts Year Up United interns at 343 Industries and other divisions. Alumni like Nico Cargo have been hired as IT Support Analysts after completing internships.
• LinkedIncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinkedIn hosts Year Up United interns in project management and portfolio analyst roles. Multiple alumni including Yesenia Morales have been hired full-time.
• Bank of AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank of America partnership began in 2006. Has welcomed over 4,000 interns across the country. In 2024, 80% of interns became full-time employees. Features alumnus Jason Coullette as Senior Vice President.
• SalesforcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner hosting Year Up United interns. Features in career services community partners section.
• JPMorgan ChasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner hosting Year Up United interns. Featured on internship opportunities page with other major employers.
• Vertex PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-ever biotech pilot with Year Up United. Hired Gaelle Akaliza as Quality Assurance Coordinator after internship in 2021. Second pilot involves 20 interns in Manufacturing Tech, QA, and Material Handler roles.
• MerckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner hosting Year Up United interns. Featured on internship opportunities page.
• ExeloncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner hosting Year Up United interns. Featured on internship opportunities page.
• CVScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner hosting Year Up United interns. Featured on career services community partners page.
• TE ConnectivitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Carnel Harley as Information Security Analyst intern. Carnel works between technology and business sides, focusing on governance and risk management.
• DTCC (The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTCC hired Judah Valerie as Software Analyst after he completed his Year Up United internship with the company.
• WSFS BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHired Sierra Graham as Bankcard Dispute Specialist after her internship. She continues to thrive with aspirations of leadership positions.
• BECUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington's largest credit union. Amanious Haile completed internship and was hired as Technical Project Manager. BECU also provides mentorship through Year Up United alumni.
• Sony Interactive EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHired Daniel Hicks as Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) via Apprentice Pathway Program after his Year Up United internship.
• Abt AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner conducting rigorous evaluations of Year Up United programs including PACE Evaluation (2011-2022) and IES Evaluation (2015-2022). Produced groundbreaking RCT results showing 30% wage gains.
• University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner evaluating Year Up United's Professional Training Corps model in collaboration with Abt Associates.
• Results for AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner citing Year Up United as a proven program in their Economic Mobility Catalog with a published case study.
• Harvard UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvard continues its Summer Youth Employment program and broader career pathway initiatives with Year Up United as a key partner, providing paid positions and career training to youth over 25 years.
• City YearminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner engaging in partnerships at national and local community levels to expand opportunities for young adults.
• BigFutureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner helping students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers through free online resources.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and tech skills training to adults from underserved communities, with employer partnerships and career placement support. Closely comparable in mission, tuition-free model, target population, and employer-integration approach.
• NPower: Nonprofit workforce development organization offering tuition-free IT training, professional skills development, and job placement for veterans and young adults from underserved communities. Directly comparable in target demographic, training-plus-internship model, and corporate partner funding approach.
• Generation: Global nonprofit operating employer-aligned, tuition-free training programs across multiple technical and business pathways with placement support. Highly comparable in skills-first curriculum design, employer co-development, and outcome-driven placement model.
• Apprenti: Nonprofit apprenticeship intermediary connecting underrepresented talent to IT and tech occupations with employer partners. Directly comparable in apprenticeship/work-based learning structure and corporate-talent pipeline function.

Others

• Year Up Gulf Coast / Year Up West: Regional affiliates of Year Up United that historically operated semi-independently before consolidation. Comparable in training program structure and outcomes methodology (same curriculum and evaluation framework).

Broad incumbents

• General Assembly: For-profit bootcamp (now part of Adecco) offering short-format training in software engineering, data, and tech-adjacent skills with employer hiring solutions. Comparable training content but tuition-based and for-profit versus Year Up's tuition-free nonprofit model.
• Flatiron School: For-profit coding and software engineering bootcamp offering accelerated career training with employer hiring partnerships. Comparable in software-development training pathway and employer placement orientation.
• Revature: IT training and staffing company that recruits, trains, and places entry-level technologists with employer clients, often at no cost to the trainee. Comparable in IT training-to-hire pipeline structure and large-employer client base.

Emerging players

• Grads of Life: Workforce development intermediary advising employers on hiring and retaining Opportunity Youth. Comparable mission around the Opportunity Divide and corporate-employer engagement approach, though operates more as a consultancy/intermediary than direct training provider.
• Code for America: Nonprofit using technology and digital service training to expand economic opportunity, with programs that upskill adults for tech-adjacent careers. Comparable nonprofit, technology-skills, and economic-mobility framing but less direct overlap in employer-hosted internship pipelines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yearup
• YouTubeyoutube.com/yearupunited
• Facebookfacebook.com/yearup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/year-up
• Instagraminstagram.com/yearupunited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds13 records

Investors8 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 Year Up