AdvanceEDU
AdvanceEDU is a Denver-based nonprofit founded in 2020 that wraps accredited online degrees from CSU Global and Colorado community colleges with success coaching, career placement, and wraparound supports for working adults and first-generation students in Colorado.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AdvanceEDU does
AdvanceEDU is a Denver-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 that operates as a hybrid college and career navigation program. It serves working adults, first-generation college students, and other non-traditional learners in Colorado by wrapping accredited online degree pathways from partner universities (primarily Colorado State University Global and the Colorado Community College System) with in-person support services. Its core offering combines the AdvanceEDU Core Program with one-on-one success coaching, career placement services, the AdvanceEDU Seminar (a 4-week prep course), and a free Career Explorer Program, delivered through physical Student Success Centers in Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs.
The underlying technology stack consists of an online learning platform integrated with partner university learning management systems, supplemented by student success coaching infrastructure. The proprietary differentiation is not in the LMS itself but in the wraparound service layer: laptop provision, childcare and transportation support, emergency grants, free mental health services, and an employer partner network that places students into paid, degree-aligned co-op and career opportunities with organizations such as Denver Health, DaVita, UC Health, Microsoft, Liberty Global, and Pinnacol Assurance. The organization claims a graduation rate approximately three times the national average and reports that 90% of supported students attend without student loans.
AdvanceEDU does not collect tuition directly; students pay partner universities at discounted rates (CSU Global learners pay $337.50/credit hour) while AdvanceEDU is sustained by philanthropic grants from foundations such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, Daniels Fund, Walton Family Foundation, The Anschutz Foundation, Gary Community Investments, The Denver Foundation, Charles Koch Foundation, and the Colorado Opportunity Now state scale-funding program. Its go-to-market motion is hybrid: a sales-led outreach process via inquiry forms and monthly virtual info sessions, supplemented by community-led recruitment through partnerships with DSST, KIPP, Denver Public Schools, CareerWise Colorado, and employer career partners. It has been a participant in the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator.
AdvanceEDU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AdvanceEDU
- Legal name
- AdvanceEDU
- Website
- https://myadvanceedu.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AdvanceEDU is a Denver-based nonprofit founded in 2020 that wraps accredited online degrees from CSU Global and Colorado community colleges with success coaching, career placement, and wraparound supports for working adults and first-generation students in Colorado.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AdvanceEDU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Higher Education Support Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)
Keywords
Where AdvanceEDU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
AdvanceEDU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition Support Services: AdvanceEDU provides access to low-cost accredited degree programs through partner universities. Students pay tuition directly to partner institutions (CSU Global, CCCS) while AdvanceEDU provides scholarships, grants, and financial coaching to cover costs. Most learners attend with $0 out-of-pocket costs through Pell grants, scholarships, and AdvanceEDU-specific scholarships.
- Philanthropic Funding: AdvanceEDU relies on funding from philanthropic supporters including foundations (Bloomberg Philanthropies, Daniels Fund, Walton Family Foundation, etc.) and government grants (Opportunity Now grant program) to sustain operations and provide student scholarships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CSU Global - Full-time enrollment (36 credits/year) |
| Subscription | Annual | CSU Global - Part-time enrollment (18 credits/year) |
| Subscription | Annual | CCCS On-Campus Resident Rate |
| Subscription | Annual | CCCS Online Resident Rate |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
AdvanceEDU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AdvanceEDU is a nonprofit hybrid college that helps non-traditional and first-generation students earn accredited online degrees from partner universities (CSU Global and the Colorado Community College System) in Business, Technology, Healthcare, and Public Sector pathways. Students receive one-on-one success coaching, career placement, scholarships and financial aid navigation, laptop provision, and access to in-person Student Success Centers in Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs. Most learners attend with $0 out-of-pocket cost and graduate at three times the national average rate.
Product overview
AdvanceEDU is a higher education support organization that operates a unified college and career program combining accredited online degree pathways from university partners (CSU Global, Colorado Community College System) with comprehensive in-person support services. The core offering includes the AdvanceEDU Core Program, the free Career Explorer Program for career navigation, and the AdvanceEDU Seminar (AES) 4-week preparation period. Students can pursue degree pathways in Business, Technology, Healthcare, and Public Sector through partner institutions while receiving success coaching, career placement services, laptop provision, access to student learning centers, and financial support. The program enables students to earn and learn simultaneously through employer partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AdvanceEDU Seminar (AES): A 4-week free trial period and college prep program designed to ensure students are ready academically, emotionally, logistically, and professionally for college.
- Career Explorer Program
Products and services
- AdvanceEDU Core Program A college and career navigation program that combines accredited online degree pathways from partner universities with in-person supports including success coaching, career placement, laptop provision, meals, and co-learning spaces to help non-traditional and first-generation students earn degrees while building careers with employer partners.
- Career Explorer Program A free self-guided online course with dedicated AdvanceEDU staff support that helps prospective students discover their strengths, values, and motivators to determine suitable career pathways and college programs through four modules completed within one month.
- AdvanceEDU Seminar (AES) A 4-week free trial period and college prep program that ensures students are ready academically, emotionally, logistically, and professionally for online college coursework and helps determine if AdvanceEDU and online learning is a good fit.
- Business Degree Pathways Bachelor's and certificate programs in Accounting, Business Management, Data Analytics, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing, Project Management, Digital Marketing, Construction Management, and Operations and Supply Chain Management through CSU Global.
- Technology Degree Pathways Certificates and degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Python Application Development, Azure AI Automation, Data Management and Analysis, IT Operations, and Web Application Development through CSU Global.
- Healthcare Degree Pathways Certificates and degrees in Healthcare Administration, Health Sciences, Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Social Work, Public Health, Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety, and Long-Term Care Administration through CSU Global and community college partners.
- Public Sector Degree Pathways Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Interdisciplinary Professional Studies, and Legal Studies through CSU Global, plus alternative teaching licensure pathways through PEBC.
- Student Learning Centers Physical co-learning campuses in Denver (2215 Market St.), Pueblo (201 W. 8th St.), and Colorado Springs (Pikes Peak State College Downtown Campus Learning Commons) offering study spaces, technology access, tutoring, advising, and community resources.
- Career Advancement Services Career coaching, placement assistance, internship and co-op opportunities, and direct placement services through a network of employer partners including paid career-building work experiences aligned with students' degree programs.
- Financial Support Services Scholarship and grant navigation, FAFSA assistance, financial coaching, and AdvanceEDU-specific scholarship options for income-qualified learners to enable debt-free college attendance.
Companies that use AdvanceEDU
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AdvanceEDU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature3 records
AdvanceEDU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Colorado State University Global (CSU Global)corePrimary university partner providing accredited online bachelor's and certificate degree programs. AdvanceEDU learners receive discounted tuition rate of $337.50 per credit hour. Degrees include Business, Healthcare Administration, Technology, and Public Sector pathways.
- Colorado Community College System (CCCS)corePartner providing affordable certificate and associate degree programs through Aurora Community College, Front Range Community College, and Pikes Peak State College. On-campus and online options available with reduced Colorado Opportunity Fund rates.
- Denver HealthmajorHealthcare career partner providing employment and internship opportunities for students pursuing healthcare administration and related degrees.
- DaVitamajorHealthcare employer partner offering co-op positions and career opportunities for students in healthcare administration and related programs.
- UC HealthmajorHealthcare system partner providing career pathways for students in healthcare administration and health sciences programs.
- Pinnacol AssurancemajorColorado insurance company partner offering career placement and internship opportunities for students.
- MicrosoftmajorTechnology employer partner providing career opportunities for students in technology degree and certificate programs.
- Liberty GlobalmajorTechnology and telecommunications company partner providing IT career opportunities including co-op positions for students.
- Envision HealthcaremajorHealthcare services company partner offering career opportunities for students in healthcare administration programs.
- Activate Workforce SolutionsmajorWorkforce development partner providing technology pre-apprenticeships and career placement services for students.
- CareerWise ColoradomajorYouth apprenticeship system partner providing work-based learning opportunities and career pathways for students.
- Denver Public SchoolsmajorEducation partner providing student referrals and pathways to teaching careers through the PEBC teacher preparation program.
- Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC)majorEducation nonprofit providing teacher preparation programs with preferential admissions for AdvanceEDU students. 82% of PEBC Teacher Residency teachers stay in classroom for five years.
- TechstarsminorStartup accelerator network partner providing industry connections and career opportunities for students.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AdvanceEDU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NPower: NPower provides tuition-free technology training, professional development, and job placement for veterans and underserved young adults. Its training-plus-coaching-plus-employer-pipeline model in the tech vertical is highly comparable to AdvanceEDU's technology pathways.
- Bottom Line: Bottom Line provides one-on-one college access and success coaching to low-income and first-generation students from major U.S. cities, focused on degree completion and career outcomes. It is highly comparable to AdvanceEDU's coaching-led, university-partnered model serving similar demographics.
- Braven: Braven is a national career-acceleration nonprofit combining online coursework, coaching, and employer-led career experiences for college students from under-resourced backgrounds. Its career-connected postsecondary model overlaps materially with AdvanceEDU's coaching-plus-employer approach.
- College Possible: College Possible delivers near-peer coaching for college access and completion to low-income and first-generation students nationally. Its coaching-centric model for similar target populations makes it a strong comparable to AdvanceEDU.
- Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce-development nonprofit combining skills training, wraparound supports, and corporate internships for young adults, with strong employer placement partnerships. Its earn-and-learn, employer-pipeline model directly parallels AdvanceEDU's career-connected approach.
- Per Scholas: Per Scholas provides tuition-free technology training and job-placement support for underserved adults, partnering with major employers for talent pipelines. Its tech-focused training-plus-coaching-plus-employer model aligns closely with AdvanceEDU's technology pathways.
- Climb Hire: Climb Hire offers tuition-free career training and job-placement support for low-income adults seeking to advance into middle-wage careers. Its wraparound-support-and-employer-placement approach is similar to AdvanceEDU's Career Advancement Services.
- PelotonU: PelotonU is a direct competitor operating a hybrid college completion program for low-income and first-generation students in Texas, combining accredited university coursework with coaching and wraparound supports. The model, target population, and earn-while-you-learn approach closely mirror AdvanceEDU.
Emerging players
- i.c.stars: i.c.stars provides technology workforce training, leadership development, and job placement for low-income young adults, with a focus on tech apprenticeships. Its technology-and-career-pipeline focus overlaps with AdvanceEDU's tech pathways, though at smaller scale.
Broad incumbents
- CSU Global: CSU Global is AdvanceEDU's primary academic partner, an accredited online university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees with a workforce-aligned focus. It is broadly comparable as the underlying degree-granting institution, though it operates at much larger scale and is a partner rather than competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AdvanceEDU social profiles
Digital presenceAdvanceEDU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AdvanceEDU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
AdvanceEDU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AdvanceEDU 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 AdvanceEDU
What does AdvanceEDU do?
AdvanceEDU is a nonprofit hybrid college that helps non-traditional and first-generation students earn accredited online degrees from partner universities (CSU Global and the Colorado Community College System) in Business, Technology, Healthcare, and Public Sector pathways. Students receive one-on-one success coaching, career placement, scholarships and financial aid navigation, laptop provision, and access to in-person Student Success Centers in Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs. Most learners attend with $0 out-of-pocket cost and graduate at three times the national average rate.
Is AdvanceEDU a public or private company?
AdvanceEDU is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AdvanceEDU founded?
AdvanceEDU was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AdvanceEDU based?
AdvanceEDU is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does AdvanceEDU make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition Support Services are the primary driver. The others are philanthropic Funding.
Who are AdvanceEDU's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NPower, Bottom Line, Braven, College Possible, Year Up, Per Scholas, Climb Hire and PelotonU. i.c.stars is listed as an emerging player. CSU Global is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does AdvanceEDU have an API?
No public API is recorded for AdvanceEDU.
What industry is AdvanceEDU in?
AdvanceEDU's product category is Nonprofit Higher Education Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAL, Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAEAA, University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.