FIRST
FIRST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates the world's leading youth robotics competition platform, serving over 4 million K-12 students across 114 countries through three age-segmented programs (FLL, FTC, FRC) funded by corporate sponsorships, team registrations, and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersManchester, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What FIRST does
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire. It operates the world's largest youth robotics competition platform, delivering three age-segmented programs: FIRST LEGO League (Grades K-8, Ages 5-16), FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12, Ages 12-18), and FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12, Ages 14-18). Since inception, the organization has reached over 4 million youth participants across 114 countries, with its 2026 FIRST Championship in Houston drawing more than 51,000 students, mentors, coaches, volunteers, educators, and sponsors. FIRST also runs the FIRST Dashboard for team registration and management, the FIRST Championship global event, a Youth Protection Program, and a Classroom-to-Career scholarship pipeline connecting alumni to STEM careers.
The technical backbone of FIRST's competitive programs centers on annual themed challenges (the 2026-27 season is themed around biodiversity under the "CANOPY" branding, with sub-seasons BIOGLOW for FLL, BIOBUZZ for FTC, and BIOCORE for FRC) and proprietary robotics hardware/software stacks. In March 2025, FIRST announced SystemCore, its next-generation robot controller (approximately smartphone-sized, with 5 CAN-FD ports, integrated IMU, M.2 A+E port compatible with Hailo-8 AI Accelerator, and hosted Blockly/Java/Python web interface) for FTC and FRC, with alpha testing starting mid-2025. FIRST also operates an e-commerce merchandise platform, donor/grant infrastructure, and a youth registration system compliant with COPPA, FERPA, GDPR, and PIPEDA.
FIRST's revenue model is hybrid nonprofit financing: (1) recurring annual team registration fees across three programs, (2) large-scale corporate sponsorship from flagship partners including 3M, Apple, Boeing, Google.org, NASA, Qualcomm (20-year partner), BAE Systems, RTX, Oracle (7+ years, presenting sponsor), Gene Haas Foundation, Molex, Novelis, and Carrier, with LEGO Education ending a 28-year partnership after the 2026-27 season, and (3) individual donations to the FIRST Annual Fund, including workplace giving, legacy gifts, and a $99 minimum team-specific donation tier. Distribution occurs through a global network of Program Delivery Partners and the FIRST Dashboard, with corporate funders supplying funding, mentorship, and talent pipeline support.
FIRST firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FIRST
- Legal name
- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
- Website
- https://firstinspires.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- FIRST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 that operates the world's leading youth robotics competition platform, serving over 4 million K-12 students across 114 countries through three age-segmented programs (FLL, FTC, FRC) funded by corporate sponsorships, team registrations, and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FIRST industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth STEM Robotics Education
- NAICS
- All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Robotics After-School & Enrichment Clubs (EDAMADAA)
Keywords
Where FIRST is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
FIRST business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Team Registration Fees: Teams pay registration fees to participate in FIRST programs. The fees vary by program (FLL, FTC, FRC) and include access to competition kits, materials, and event participation.
- Corporate Sponsorship and Donations: Strategic partners including 3M, Apple, Boeing, Google.org, NASA, Qualcomm, and others provide significant funding and in-kind support. Sponsors recognize the role of FIRST in building STEM interest and fortifying talent pipelines.
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to the FIRST Annual Fund. FIRST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN# 22-2990908) with 4-star Charity Navigator rating.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | FIRST Robotics Competition Team Registration |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Team Donations |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Purchase Orders and Credit Card Payments |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
FIRST product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FIRST operates three age-tiered youth robotics competition programs — FIRST LEGO League (Grades K-8), FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12), and FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12) — that engage students ages 5-18 in hands-on STEM challenges culminating in the annual FIRST Championship. The programs are supported by the FIRST Dashboard registration platform, registration and kit fees, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations, and operate across 114 countries with 4 million+ participants since 1989.
Product overview
FIRST operates a multi-tiered youth robotics education platform comprising three competitive programs: FIRST LEGO League (Grades K-8, using LEGO Education SPIKE technology), FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12, classroom-scale robots), and FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12, industrial-sized robots). These programs are supported by the annual FIRST Championship event, the FIRST Dashboard registration platform, SystemCore robot controllers, the FIRST Store merchandise platform, and supplementary programs including Youth Protection and scholarships. The 2026-2027 season is themed around biodiversity under the FIRST CANOPY branding, with sub-seasons BIOGLOW (FLL), BIOBUZZ presented by RTX (FTC), and BIOCORE presented by Haas (FRC).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FIRST LEGO League Hands-on STEM robotics program for elementary and middle school students (Grades K-8, Ages 5-16) using LEGO Education technology. Introduces STEM basics through age-appropriate challenges tied to yearly themes, building confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- FIRST Tech Challenge Middle and high school robotics program (Grades 7-12, Ages 12-18) where students work with mentors to design and build classroom-scale robots. Teams program autonomous commands and compete in two-on-two matches, developing STEM skills, community outreach, and engineering innovation. Over 80% of teams use Oracle's Java programming language.
- FIRST Robotics Competition High school robotics competition (Grades 9-12, Ages 14-18) where teams design, program, and build industrial-sized robots starting with a Kit of Parts. Teams compete in action-packed games as part of a three-team alliance, gaining technical, teamwork, and leadership experience.
- FIRST Championship Annual world championship event where qualifying FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League teams compete at the highest level, celebrating STEM achievement and innovation. The 2026 Championship in Houston attracted over 51,000 students, mentors, coaches, volunteers, educators, and sponsors.
- FIRST Dashboard Online registration and team management platform where teams register, manage payments, apply grants, and track participation across all FIRST programs. Accepts purchase orders (net 30 days) and credit card payments (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover).
- SystemCore Next-generation robot controller for FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition. Approximately smartphone-sized with integrated IMU, CAN-FD ports, SmartIO ports, USB ports, Ethernet, and Hailo-8 AI Accelerator compatibility. Features hosted web interface with Blockly, Java, and Python coding capabilities.
- FIRST Store E-commerce store offering official FIRST merchandise including apparel, accessories, gadgets, and gear exclusively for the FIRST community.
- Youth Protection Program Comprehensive safety program that equips mentors, coaches, event volunteers, and supporters to deliver robotics programs with care, accountability, and respect, including background screening requirements for adult participants.
- Classroom to Career & Scholarships Scholarship and career pathway program connecting FIRST alumni with educational opportunities and STEM careers through partnerships with corporate sponsors and educational institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 83% of FIRST alumni pursue STEM majors by year four of college
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use FIRST
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FIRST technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FIRST partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and regional.
- 3Mflagship3M is a Strategic Partner supporting FIRST programs. As one of the leading Strategic Partners, 3M significantly invests in FIRST to help expand reach and overall impact, recognizing the critical role of FIRST in building STEM interest.
- AppleflagshipApple is a Strategic Partner of FIRST, providing significant investment to expand STEM program reach and impact for youth robotics.
- QualcommflagshipQualcomm has been a FIRST Strategic Partner for 20 years (celebrated in April 2026). Presents FIRST AGE season and FTC BIOBUZZ challenge, demonstrating long-term commitment to FIRST mission.
- NASAflagshipNASA is a Strategic Partner supporting FIRST programs and recognizing FIRST alumni for career opportunities in space exploration and related STEM fields.
- BoeingflagshipBoeing is a Strategic Partner of FIRST, investing in youth STEM education and recognizing FIRST's role in building future workforce talent.
- Google.orgflagshipGoogle.org is a Strategic Partner supporting FIRST programs and expanding access to STEM education for underserved communities.
- Bae SystemsflagshipBAE Systems is Presenting Sponsor of FIRST Championship, supporting the annual world-stage robotics competition.
- RTXflagshipRTX is a Strategic Partner presenting the FIRST Tech Challenge BIOBUZZ season challenge, supporting middle and high school robotics programs.
- LEGO EducationflagshipLEGO Education was a Strategic Partner for 28 years powering FIRST LEGO League, but partnership will not be renewed after 2026-27 season.
- DEKA Research & Development CorporationcoreDEKA Research, founded by FIRST Dean Kamen, is listed as a Founder-level supporter, maintaining the founder's connection to the organization.
- OracleflagshipOracle has been presenting sponsor of FIRST events for over 7 years, including grants for new and sustainability-focused teams. Over 80% of teams use Oracle's Java programming language.
- FastenalcoreFastenal partnered with FIRST to manufacture 50 custom-designed accessibility ramps for wheelchair users at FIRST Robotics Competition events, improving accessibility.
- Connecticut Office of ManufacturingregionalState of Connecticut invested over $6 million since 2024 in youth robotics programming, partnering with ReadyCT and NE FIRST to build manufacturing talent pipeline.
- Gene Haas FoundationflagshipGene Haas Foundation is a Strategic Partner presenting the FIRST Robotics Competition BIOCORE season game, supporting high school robotics.
- Argosy FoundationcoreArgosy Foundation supports FIRST through grant programs including funding for Team 118's $100K+ grant program for rookie teams.
- MolexflagshipMolex is a Get Anywhere campaign supporter, recognizing the critical role of FIRST in fortifying STEM talent pipeline.
- NovelisflagshipNovelis is a Get Anywhere campaign supporter and Strategic Partner, fostering STEM skills development through FIRST programs.
- CarriercoreCarrier partners with FIRST engaging employee volunteers to drive global impact and create value for employees and communities.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FIRST competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FIRST social profiles
Digital presenceFIRST compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
FIRST financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FIRST leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
FIRST funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FIRST 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 FIRST
What does FIRST do?
FIRST operates three age-tiered youth robotics competition programs — FIRST LEGO League (Grades K-8), FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12), and FIRST Robotics Competition (Grades 9-12) — that engage students ages 5-18 in hands-on STEM challenges culminating in the annual FIRST Championship. The programs are supported by the FIRST Dashboard registration platform, registration and kit fees, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations, and operate across 114 countries with 4 million+ participants since 1989.
Is FIRST a public or private company?
FIRST is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was FIRST founded?
FIRST was founded in 1989. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is FIRST based?
FIRST is headquartered in Manchester, United States, in the North America region.
How does FIRST make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Team Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship and Donations and individual Donations.
Who are FIRST's main competitors?
REC Foundation (VEX Robotics) is listed as a direct peer.
Does FIRST have an API?
No public API is recorded for FIRST.
What industry is FIRST in?
FIRST's product category is Youth STEM Robotics Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAE, Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX), with a secondary code of EDAMADAA, Robotics After-School & Enrichment Clubs. Its NAICS code is 61169 and its SIC code is 8200.