SMASH | Level Playing Field Institute

What SMASH | Level Playing Field Institute does

SMASH (Summer Math and Science Honors Academy) is a free, STEM-intensive college preparatory program operated under the Level Playing Field Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 and headquartered in Oakland, California. The program targets underrepresented high school students of color and delivers Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning coursework through two channels: a residential program held on university campuses and a virtual online platform, with an alumni network layer for ongoing engagement. SMASH reports that 2,000+ scholars have been served cumulatively, with 98% mastering CS technical skills, 100% accepted to college, and 79% graduating with STEM degrees.

The core technology stack centers on a residential delivery model (intensive in-person CS/AI/ML coursework, accommodation, and meals) and a virtual learning platform that exposes students to emerging technology topics and connects them with STEM professionals. All programs are provided at no cost to scholars, with the organization covering tuition, materials, and residential expenses. Outreach is community-led, leveraging school partnerships, referral networks, and an annual National Pitch Competition as the flagship showcase event. SMASH is part of the broader Kapor ecosystem, which links the program to the Kapor Foundation (philanthropy) and Kapor Capital (venture funding), creating an education-to-career pipeline that few peers can replicate.

The business model is entirely donation-driven: revenue derives from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and fundraising campaigns such as the 25th Anniversary campaign. SMASH holds no patents or proprietary trademarks of commercial value, and there is no pricing model in the conventional sense given the freemium structure for scholars. The organization carries 11-50 employees, holds Candid Seal Platinum 2026 and Impact Verified Seal 2025 certifications, and is governed by Eli Kennedy (CEO), Freada Kapor Klein (Founder), and Mitch Kapor (Director), alongside a Director of Research and Evaluation, Director of Education Programs, and Director of Development.

Name

SMASH | Level Playing Field Institute

Legal name

Level Playing Field Institute

Website

https://lpfi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMASH is a nonprofit, free STEM college preparatory program under the Level Playing Field Institute, delivering residential and virtual Computer Science, AI, and ML education to underrepresented high school students of color, funded entirely by donations and the Kapor ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Programs

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM Assessment, Badging & Competition Platforms (EDAFANAJ), Quiz Bowl & Academic Team Competitions (EDAMAGAF), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• College preparatory programs
• Computer science curriculum
• Nonprofit education services
• Workforce development training

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a nonprofit educational organization, SMASH operates entirely on donated funds. The programs are provided free of charge to all scholars. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and fundraising campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SMASH is a free STEM-intensive college preparatory program for underrepresented high school students of color, delivered as a program under the Level Playing Field Institute. It offers a free residential program providing intensive Computer Science, AI, and ML coursework on university campuses, complemented by a virtual online platform delivering early STEM exposure. The programs also include college acceptance preparation, STEM career exposure, and an alumni network for ongoing support.

Product overview

SMASH is an educational nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of STEM access programs. The core offerings consist of SMASH Residential (a free residential program featuring CS/AI/ML coursework) and SMASH Virtual (an online platform providing early exposure to STEM and emerging technology topics). SMASH Alumni provides continued engagement for program graduates. Together, these programs form a STEM ecosystem designed to prepare students from underrepresented backgrounds for careers in technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SMASH Residential: FREE residential program providing scholars with opportunity to take CS/AI/ML courses
• SMASH Virtual
• SMASH Alumni
• SMASH National Pitch Competition

Products and services

• SMASH Residential A free residential program that provides scholars with the opportunity to take CS/AI/ML courses and more in an immersive on-campus environment, with accommodation and meals included. Targeted at underrepresented high school students of color interested in STEM.
• SMASH Virtual An online platform that provides students with early exposure to STEM and emerging technology topics, as well as connections to STEM career professionals. Targeted at underrepresented high school students of color.
• SMASH Alumni Continuing engagement program for SMASH program alumni, providing ongoing community, network, and career support after program completion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of scholars mastered CS technical skills
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KAPOR CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAPOR Center is the parent organization of SMASH, providing strategic oversight and alignment with the broader mission of the KAPOR ecosystem focused on educational equity and STEM access.
• KAPOR FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAPOR Foundation is part of the KAPOR ecosystem, supporting educational initiatives and STEM programs for underrepresented communities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Girls Who Code: Girls Who Code runs free CS education programs for middle and high school girls from underrepresented backgrounds, including a Summer Immersion Program and after-school clubs. It is the most direct peer to SMASH, sharing the CS-access-for-underrepresented-students mission, free-to-scholar pricing, and residential/summer model.
• Black Girls CODE: Black Girls CODE provides CS and technology education to Black girls ages 7-17 through workshops, hackathons, and after-school programs. It directly overlaps with SMASH's mission of delivering CS instruction to underrepresented students of color with no-cost programming.
• Code.org: Code.org delivers free K-12 computer science curriculum and runs the Hour of Code, with explicit initiatives to expand access for underrepresented students. Comparable to SMASH in CS education access focus and free pricing model, though Code.org operates at much larger scale and reaches K-12 rather than just high school.
• AI4ALL: AI4ALL provides AI education programs for high school students from underrepresented communities through summer camps and online programs. It is highly comparable to SMASH because it overlaps on AI curriculum, underrepresented high school scholar base, and free-of-charge summer program delivery.
• Code2040: Code2040 focuses on racial equity in tech through fellowship, talent pipeline, and programming for Black and Latinx students and early-career technologists. Overlaps with SMASH on the underrepresented-in-tech pipeline mission and post-secondary placement support.
• Year Up: Year Up provides workforce development and tech training for low-income young adults aged 18-30, with strong employer partnerships and a defined education-to-career pipeline. It is comparable to SMASH because of the education-to-career intent and the tech/STEM focus for underrepresented young adults, though Year Up serves an older post-secondary cohort.
• Citizen Schools: Citizen Schools partners with public middle schools to provide expanded learning time including STEM apprenticeships and college and career exploration. Comparable to SMASH on the STEM enrichment-for-underrepresented-students mission and the apprenticeship/career-exposure model.

Emerging players

• QuestBridge: QuestBridge connects high-achieving low-income high school students with selective colleges through the National College Match and scholarship programs. Comparable to SMASH on the college-access mission for underrepresented students but operates at a different (broader and older) cohort level as a college placement organization.
• National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT): NCWIT works to increase women's participation in computing through research, programs, and awards including the Aspirations in Computing program for high school students. Comparable to SMASH on the underrepresented-in-tech pipeline and high-school-focused interventions, though NCWIT is more of an advocacy/network than a direct instruction provider.

Broad incumbents

• Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a major free online learning platform covering STEM subjects including CS. Comparable to SMASH Virtual component on free online STEM instruction and large reach, though Khan Academy serves the entire K-12+ population broadly rather than specializing in underrepresented scholars or CS specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LPFI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@smashprogram
• Facebookfacebook.com/smashprogram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smash-program
• Instagraminstagram.com/smash_program

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 SMASH | Level Playing Field Institute