SAE Foundation

Name

SAE Foundation

Legal name

SAE Foundation

Website

https://saefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Competition Coaching & Training Programs (AMC/AIME/USAMO/MathCounts) (EDAMAEAA), Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• K-12 engineering curriculum
• University engineering competitions
• PreK-12 STEM outreach
• Industry volunteer mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Warrendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SAE Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of SAE International that delivers free, inquiry-based, hands-on STEM education programs to PreK-12 students and university-level engineering competitions. Its flagship offerings include A World In Motion (AWIM), which provides 20+ hands-on STEM challenges aligned with national education standards, and the Collegiate Design Series (CDS) covering Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Aero Design, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Formula Electric, and Supermileage. Programs are funded entirely through corporate donations, grants, and sponsorships, and are provided at no cost to schools and students.

Product overview

SAE Foundation offers a comprehensive STEM education ecosystem centered around two flagship programs: A World In Motion® (AWIM®), a PreK-12 inquiry-based hands-on STEM curriculum featuring over 20 distinct challenges including JetToy, Gravity Cruiser, Motorized Toy Car, Rolling Things, Straw Rockets, Fuel Cell Challenge, and Powered Up; and the Collegiate Design Series™ (CDS), university-level engineering competitions including Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Aero Design, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Formula Electric, and Supermileage. The portfolio also includes the LearnTwice™ near-peer mentoring program connecting university students with K-12 classrooms, plus various scholarships and awards including the SAE Women-in-Automotive Scholarship and leadership awards honoring Bill Agnew, Rodica Baranescu, and Max Rumbaugh. The programs combine project-based learning with real-world engineering experience and industry volunteer mentorship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A World In Motion (AWIM) An inquiry-based, hands-on PreK-12 STEM education program featuring more than 20 hands-on STEM challenges (such as JetToy, Gravity Cruiser, Motorized Toy Car, Fuel Cell, Straw Rockets) that delivers curriculum aligned with national education standards and incorporates mentorship from industry volunteers. Programs and classroom kits are provided free of charge to schools.
• Collegiate Design Series (CDS) University-level engineering competitions in which student teams design, build, and test real competition vehicles across multiple disciplines including Formula SAE, Formula Electric, Baja SAE, Aero Design, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, and Supermileage, preparing students for mobility-related engineering careers.
• LearnTwice A near-peer mentoring program that connects university students with K-12 classrooms, enabling university teams to mentor younger students through AWIM activities while earning stipends toward their own SAE competition builds.
• SAE Women-in-Automotive Scholarship A scholarship program supporting women pursuing engineering careers in the automotive industry, funded with support from Android Auto and administered through SAE Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6 million+ students reached globally
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 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

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• General Motors (GM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral Motors and SAE International teamed up to provide K-college students with hands-on STEM educational opportunities guided by industry experts. GM has been a longtime supporter since 1987, sponsoring Collegiate Design Series and AWIM programs.
• Ford Motor Company and The Ford FundflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord Motor Company and Ford Motor Company Fund have supported the SAE Foundation since 1987. A longtime sponsor of the SAE Foundation Annual Celebration, Ford also supports AWIM, Collegiate Design Series, and volunteer programs.
• ToyotaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota has been one of the strongest supporters since 1990, providing more than $5 million to the Foundation. Toyota supports A World In Motion Program to expand STEM access.
• BorgWarnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarting in 1987 to deliver STEM programming and diversify the STEM talent pipeline, BorgWarner has contributed more than $1 million to the SAE Foundation. Supports SAE's Collegiate Design Series and AWIM.
• BoschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBosch has been an integral part of the growth and successes since 1988, demonstrating strong commitment to STEM education with ongoing support for AWIM programs.
• DensocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor more than 20 years, DENSO has been a key partner, demonstrating commitment to STEM education. A proud Mentor Sponsor of SAE Foundation Annual Celebration, DENSO hosts Collegiate Design Series events.
• Kia GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership spanning 10 years providing resources, volunteer support, and funding to thousands of students. Kia Georgia sponsors the annual JetToy Competition and has impacted over 100,000 students through AWIM.
• Hyundai Motor AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2024, Hyundai joined the SAE Foundation family, launching a partnership bringing AWIM to over 800 fourth-grade students in Bryan County Schools, Savannah, Georgia. Expanding STEM initiatives across four U.S. states.
• TeslacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesla invested $1.5 million to support SAE's A World In Motion in Nevada as part of a $37.5 million investment in Nevada's K-12 STEM and sustainability education, engaging university students through LearnTwice program.
• NissancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor more than 20 years, Nissan has worked with SAE Foundation to reach youngest learners and advance equitable STEM education, initially in five communities where Nissan employees live and work.
• ASME FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership established to deliver student travel grants, undergraduate scholarships, and community STEM resources through Xometry Foundation's $1 million annual commitment.
• AVLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe world's largest independent company for powertrain development supports SAE Foundation as a donor, recognizing importance of STEM education for future engineering talent.
• DanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1904 providing axles and driveshafts to the mobility industry, Dana has a long history of supporting SAE Foundation for more than two decades.
• QualcommminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMade a three-year commitment through SAE Foundation to transform STEM education and strengthen communities, understanding the importance of a strong STEM-savvy workforce.
• PolarisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal leader in powersports vehicles, Polaris expanded community impact by investing in STEM opportunities in Minnesota classrooms through AWIM program.
• PolestarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2022, Polestar committed to help implement engaging project-based learning experiences, providing funding for SAE A World In Motion program in Paterson, New Jersey.
• PPG IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to deliver AWIM program to students throughout PPG communities since 2016, helping reach more than 6,000 students with hands-on classroom-based learning.
• XometrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI-native marketplace partnering with SAE Foundation to expand access to hands-on engineering education for university students, focusing on expanding engineering entrepreneurship.
• STEP FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering with SAE Foundation to engage students in engineering learning, including hydrogen-powered RC car racing and inquiry-based curricula across four U.S. states.
• U.S. Space & Rocket CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership to deliver student travel grants and hands-on engineering experiences as part of Xometry Foundation's $1 million annual commitment.
• KID MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership to provide community STEM resources as part of Xometry Foundation's support for STEM education initiatives.
• Ease.iominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAI-powered audit software provider donated to SAE Foundation as part of its 2026 Champions for Quality Awards program to support STEM education initiatives.
• Cross FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2012, supported STEM education transformation in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah through AWIM program, providing over funding to expand regional reach.
• Howmet Aerospace FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommitted to Cleveland community and STEM education through support for Cleveland Metropolitan School District's AWIM program implementation.
• Sears SeatingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPledged a three-year commitment to provide AWIM program to PreK-12 students in Sears communities, primarily the Quad Cities area.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SAEIntl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/thesaefoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAEFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sae-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 SAE Foundation