Byte Back
Byte Back was a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1997 that provided digital literacy and IT certification training to adults from historically excluded communities in West Sacramento, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. The organization ceased operations in 2024 and transferred its training materials to Computer CORE.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Byte Back does
Byte Back was a nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 1997 in Washington, DC with the mission of closing the digital divide for adults from historically excluded communities. Over 27 years of operation, the organization delivered digital literacy training, Microsoft Office instruction (in English and Spanish), IT certification preparation, and Northstar Digital Literacy-aligned online computer skills training to thousands of adult learners. A 2019 outcome study found that graduates earned approximately $23,000 more per year on average than before receiving Byte Back training, and hundreds of graduates went on to launch living-wage careers in the digital economy.
The organization operated three physical training campuses in West Sacramento, California; Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington, DC, supplemented by online delivery. Its go-to-market relied on referral partnerships with public library systems (Baltimore County Public Library, Enoch Pratt Library, DC Public Library), workforce development organizations (Goodwill Industries, NPower, Per Scholas), and community coalitions (Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition). The organization was funded through grants and donations rather than direct learner payments; two documented grant inflows of $100,000 each from Verizon (2020) and an undisclosed funder (2019) are recorded.
As of 2024, Byte Back ceased operations after 27 years. The organization entered an agreement to transfer its training materials to Computer CORE, a Northern Virginia nonprofit, which expanded into Washington, DC and Maryland to continue the digital equity mission. Byte Back is no longer an operating entity.
Byte Back firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Byte Back
- Legal name
- Byte Back
- Website
- https://byteback.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Byte Back was a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 1997 that provided digital literacy and IT certification training to adults from historically excluded communities in West Sacramento, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. The organization ceased operations in 2024 and transferred its training materials to Computer CORE.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Byte Back industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adult Education and Workforce Training
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Productivity & Office Software Skills (EDAAAIAC), Digital Skills & Tech Upskilling (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAE)
Keywords
Where Byte Back is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Byte Back business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Byte Back product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Byte Back provided a pathway of inclusive tech training for adults from historically excluded communities, delivering digital literacy training, Microsoft Office instruction (in English and Spanish), IT certification preparation, and Northstar Digital Literacy assessments. The programs combined classroom-based instruction at physical campuses with online delivery to prepare graduates for living wage careers in the digital economy. Operations ceased in 2024, with training materials transferred to Computer CORE.
Product overview
Byte Back was a nonprofit technology training organization offering a portfolio of workforce development programs focused on closing the digital divide. The organization provided digital literacy training, Microsoft Office instruction (in English and Spanish), IT certification preparation, and Northstar Digital Literacy assessments. These programs were designed to help adults from historically excluded communities gain technology skills and launch living wage careers. As of 2024, Byte Back has ceased operations and transferred its training materials to Computer CORE to continue its mission in the Washington, DC and Maryland region.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Digital Literacy Training Foundational technology training programs teaching basic computer usage, internet navigation, and digital tools to adults from historically excluded communities seeking to enter the technology workforce.
- Microsoft Office Training Instruction in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and other productivity software, offered in both English and Spanish to support adult learners preparing for digital economy roles.
- IT Certifications Program Preparation and training for industry-recognized IT certifications to help graduates launch living wage careers in the technology sector.
- Northstar Digital Literacy Online computer skills training aligned with Northstar Digital Literacy standards, available to adult learners through Byte Back and partner organizations such as the Baltimore County Public Library.
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates earned approximately $23,000 more per year on average than before receiving Byte Back training (based on 2019 study)
Companies that use Byte Back
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Byte Back technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Byte Back partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Computer COREcoreTransfer of Byte Back's training materials to Computer CORE, a nonprofit based in Northern Virginia. Computer CORE will expand services into Washington, DC and Maryland to carry forward Byte Back's legacy of providing digital access and workforce training in the region.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Byte Back competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NPower: NPower is a national nonprofit that provides free IT skills training and job placement for underserved adults, including military veterans and young adults from low-income communities — directly comparable to Byte Back's mission of preparing historically excluded adults for living-wage digital economy careers.
- Per Scholas: Per Scholas offers no-cost technology training, industry certifications, and job-placement assistance for adults from underserved backgrounds, including IT certification tracks — directly overlapping with Byte Back's IT certifications and job placement programs.
- Computer CORE: Computer CORE is a Northern Virginia nonprofit providing basic computer skills and Microsoft Office training in English and Spanish — it is the entity that absorbed Byte Back's training materials in 2024 and serves the same mission and population with highly comparable curriculum.
- Academy of Hope: Academy of Hope is a DC-based adult education nonprofit offering IT certifications and digital literacy for adults seeking economic self-sufficiency — directly comparable in geography, mission, and target population to Byte Back's DC campus offerings.
- Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School: Carlos Rosario offers career-training programs including a Technology Academy with IT certifications for adult immigrants in Washington, DC — comparable to Byte Back's bilingual digital skills training and similar underserved-population focus.
- Pass It ON: Pass It ON provides technology training for youth and adults in Maryland — overlapping in geography and adult digital equity focus with Byte Back's Baltimore campus and was listed by Byte Back as a referral resource for former students.
Broad incumbents
- Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill operates digital skills training programs through its local chapters (e.g., Goodwill of Chesapeake) that were listed as Byte Back referral partners, making it a broader incumbent in workforce digital literacy with overlapping target populations.
- Year Up: Year Up is a larger, established workforce development nonprofit that combines technical skills training with career placement for young adults from underserved communities, overlapping with Byte Back's IT training and living-wage career pathway focus at greater scale.
- Coursera: Coursera is a broad incumbent online learning platform offering digital literacy, Microsoft Office, and IT certification courses — overlaps with Byte Back's curriculum areas at much greater scale, though without the wraparound community and job-placement support.
Regional players
- JVS (Jewish Vocational Service): JVS operates regional adult workforce development and digital skills programs across multiple US metros, comparable in adult digital upskilling and job placement approach though operating in different geographies than Byte Back.
Market position
Strengths2 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Customer concentration
Byte Back social profiles
Digital presenceByte Back financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Byte Back leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Byte Back funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Byte Back 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 Byte Back
What does Byte Back do?
Byte Back provided a pathway of inclusive tech training for adults from historically excluded communities, delivering digital literacy training, Microsoft Office instruction (in English and Spanish), IT certification preparation, and Northstar Digital Literacy assessments. The programs combined classroom-based instruction at physical campuses with online delivery to prepare graduates for living wage careers in the digital economy. Operations ceased in 2024, with training materials transferred to Computer CORE.
Is Byte Back a public or private company?
Byte Back is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently closed.
When was Byte Back founded?
Byte Back was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Byte Back based?
Byte Back is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Byte Back's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NPower, Per Scholas, Computer CORE, Academy of Hope, Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School and Pass It ON. Broad incumbents are Goodwill Industries International, Year Up and Coursera. JVS (Jewish Vocational Service) is listed as a regional player.
Does Byte Back have an API?
No public API is recorded for Byte Back.
What industry is Byte Back in?
Byte Back's product category is Adult Education and Workforce Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAIAA, Foundational Computer & Device Literacy, with a secondary code of EDAAAIAC, Productivity & Office Software Skills. Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 8200.