LaunchCode
LaunchCode is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that delivers free technical training and job placement to career-changers, while supplying pre-vetted, diverse entry-level tech talent to 500+ enterprise employer partners across the U.S.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersSt Louis, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What LaunchCode does
LaunchCode (The LaunchCode Foundation, EIN 47-1718432) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 by Square co-founder Jim McKelvey to address the gap between unfilled entry-level tech roles and job-seekers without traditional four-year credentials. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with regional hubs in Kansas City and Philadelphia, the organization delivers free technical training and job-placement services to career-changers and operates a B2B talent-delivery motion for employer partners. Its product portfolio spans self-paced foundations (Foundations, FlexPath, AI 101), intensive 16- to 30-week software development and data analysis programs, employer-paid custom training, and the Hire Human initiative launched in 2025 around AI-ready workforce development. Core proprietary assets include an employer-vetted curriculum, a multi-stage candidate assessment, a credential badging system, and a flipped-classroom pedagogy.
The business model is hybrid nonprofit. Earned revenue flows from employer placement fees: a $10K+ finder's fee on direct hires, $50+/hr for entry-level contract roles, $75+/hr for mid-career talent, and volume discounts on batch engagements, with 85% of partners using the contract-to-hire model. This is supplemented by donations and public/private grants. The employer base spans 500+ hiring partners including Boeing, Mastercard, Centene, Broadcom, Cigna, Booz Allen Hamilton, Microsoft, Spectrum, World Wide Technology, Edward Jones, and Comcast. Quantified outcomes include 4,000+ careers launched, 22.5K+ alumni, 65% two-year retention, and 75% graduate entry into tech. Operationally the organization runs a lean 51–100 person team across three physical hubs with virtual delivery to learners in those metros.
LaunchCode firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LaunchCode
- Legal name
- The LaunchCode Foundation
- Website
- https://launchcode.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- LaunchCode is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that delivers free technical training and job placement to career-changers, while supplying pre-vetted, diverse entry-level tech talent to 500+ enterprise employer partners across the U.S.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LaunchCode industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development / Technical Training
- NAICS
- Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs (BPAEANAB), Software Development (Programming, Frameworks, Dev Tools) (EDABAFAA), AI & Machine Learning (Foundations & Applied) (EDAMACAG), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)
Keywords
Where LaunchCode is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
LaunchCode business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Employer Hiring Revenue: LaunchCode earns revenue when employers hire their graduates. For contract/contract-to-hire arrangements, employers pay an hourly rate. For direct hires, there's a one-time finder's fee of $10K+ that decreases to $0 on contract-to-hire after 480 hours. This is the primary revenue stream supporting the free education model.
- Donations and Grants: LaunchCode receives donations from community members and public/private grants to support education and job preparedness. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all money goes to support the next cohort of classes and apprenticeship jobs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-Level Talent (0-1 Years) |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Experienced Talent (1-10 Years) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | AI Task Force |
| Usage-based | Multi-year contract | Batch Hiring / Volume Discount |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
LaunchCode product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LaunchCode delivers free technical education and job placement services to individuals seeking tech careers, while simultaneously providing employer partners with pre-vetted, trained technical talent through flexible engagement models including apprenticeships, contract-to-hire, and direct hire. Core programs span AI-focused training (AI 101, Agentic Specialist, Agentic Engineer) and software development (Foundations, FlexPath, full-time/part-time Software Development, Data Analysis), with employer services covering Talent Delivery, Custom Training, and Upskilling Programs.
Product overview
LaunchCode is a nonprofit education platform offering free technical training and job placement services. The core portfolio includes AI-focused programs (AI 101, Agentic Specialist, Agentic Engineer) and Software Development programs (Foundations, FlexPath, full-time/part-time Software Development, Data Analysis). These are complemented by employer services including Talent Delivery, Custom Training, Upskilling Programs, and the Liftoff career readiness program. The company positions its offerings as pathways from no prior experience to tech careers, with Hire Human being the latest initiative focused on AI-ready workforce development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AI 101 Free, self-paced introductory course that teaches busy professionals with zero AI background to spot repetitive tasks, build simple AI agents, and use AI tools to reclaim time in their daily work. Designed for adult learners entering AI-related career tracks.
- Agentic Specialist Cross-functional specialist role that translates AI capabilities into cost savings by reducing human workload through identifying automation opportunities and delivering measurable results. Offered as a free training program for learners seeking AI adoption careers.
- Agentic Engineer Engineering-side experts who unblock and scale AI adoption by integrating AI into core systems safely, building secure data access and reliable integrations for production AI deployment. Offered as a free training program for learners seeking AI engineering careers.
- Foundations Free 4-week self-paced online course for adults with no prior experience to explore technology careers and build confidence in coding fundamentals before committing to longer programs.
- FlexPath 26-week self-paced program for busy, self-motivated learners to build real coding skills while balancing work, school, or family commitments.
- Software Development Program Full-time 16-week or part-time 30-week intensive training program teaching JavaScript, Java, React, and full-stack web development with job placement services. Free for learners; prepares graduates for roles such as Full-Stack Web Developer, Java Developer, Application Developer, Software Developer, and Front-End Developer.
- Data Analysis Program Training program teaching Microsoft Excel, Python, SQL, and Tableau to clean, profile, model, and visualize data for business decision-making. Free for learners with job placement support.
- AI Task Force Cross-functional team service that uses AI to improve operations for employer clients. Delivered as an engagement model under Talent Delivery Services with multi-year contract pricing.
- Talent Delivery Services Pre-vetted, trained technical talent placement service matching candidates with employer hiring needs across AI, technical, and technical-adjacent roles. Includes flexible engagement models such as apprenticeship, contract-to-hire, direct hire, and batch hiring with volume discounts.
- Custom Training Customized workforce training programs built to address specific employer skill gap needs, from low-code to DevOps to legacy systems. Includes custom curriculum, screening, and onboarding for targeted roles (e.g., Cigna's mainframe developer program, Comcast's 'Grows to Code' program).
- Upskilling Programs Programs that help companies upskill existing employees into in-demand technical roles, including cohort-based and individual employee sponsorship options. Designed for reshoring projects and frontline worker transitions into tech.
- Liftoff Program Career readiness program preparing graduates with personal branding, career coaching, interview preparation, and employer connections for successful job placement. Free for learners and supports community-led referrals.
Quantifiable outcome
- 61% salary increase for graduates after placement
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use LaunchCode
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
LaunchCode technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature3 records
LaunchCode partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Hire HumancoreLaunchCode initiative to build an AI-ready workforce, ensuring people are equipped to work alongside AI technology rather than be replaced by it.
- BoeingcoreMajor enterprise hiring partner using LaunchCode for full-service talent solutions including custom training and individual skill hiring. Boeing relies on LaunchCode for mainframe and software development talent.
- MastercardcoreFortune 500 hiring partner that has employed thousands of LaunchCode graduates in technical roles through the apprenticeship model.
- CentenecoreHealthcare enterprise partner that has hired thousands of LaunchCode graduates, representing one of the largest placement relationships.
- BroadcomcoreTechnology/semiconductor company using LaunchCode as a talent pipeline for tech hiring needs.
- CignacoreCustom training partnership where LaunchCode built a curriculum to recruit, screen, train, and onboard new Mainframe developers at Cigna.
- Booz Allen HamiltoncoreConsulting firm hiring LaunchCode graduates as application developers, valuing the diverse talent pipeline.
- SpectrummajorTelecommunications company partner hiring LaunchCode talent for tech roles.
- World Wide TechnologymajorTechnology solutions provider using LaunchCode for tech talent acquisition.
- ComcastcoreStrategic partnership for upskilling frontline workers into technology roles. LaunchCode built custom curriculum and designed Comcast's inaugural 'Grows to Code' program.
- MicrosoftmajorTechnology giant that has hired LaunchCode graduates for technical positions.
- Edward JonesmajorFinancial services firm hiring LaunchCode talent for tech roles.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LaunchCode competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing free tech training and job placement to underrepresented adults, with employer-paid revenue model and multi-city footprint. Most direct comparable to LaunchCode's mission, learner model, and employer-paid talent delivery approach.
- Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit that trains young adults and connects them to corporate apprenticeships and jobs. Highly comparable mission, apprenticeship/employer-paid funding model, and Fortune 500 employer roster.
- NPower: Nonprofit offering free IT and cybersecurity training plus job placement, primarily to veterans and underserved young adults. Closely comparable learner demographic, training-plus-placement model, and employer partnerships.
- Apprenti: Nonprofit tech apprenticeship intermediary that recruits, trains, and places apprentices with employers. Closely matches LaunchCode's apprenticeship-to-hire structure and tech-focused employer base.
- Revature: For-profit tech training and staffing firm that trains career changers and places them with enterprise clients. Comparable training-plus-placement model for entry-level developers, though LaunchCode is nonprofit and focuses more on diverse hiring outcomes.
Emerging players
- General Assembly: For-profit bootcamp and upskilling provider offering short courses in software engineering, data, and AI. Comparable on curriculum and employer upskilling motion; differs by being tuition-based rather than employer-paid.
- Flatiron School: Tech bootcamp offering software engineering and data science programs with career coaching. Comparable learner outcome focus and software development curriculum; differs by being for-profit and tuition-driven.
- Ada Developers Academy: Nonprofit tuition-free coding school serving women and gender-expansive adults with software development training and job placement. Comparable mission, learner demographic, and nonprofit model; smaller geographic footprint.
Broad incumbents
- Coursera: Large online learning platform with enterprise upskilling and entry-level tech certificates from universities and tech companies. Comparable on tech upskilling for enterprise workforces and career changers; broader and not apprenticeship-based.
Others
- Pluralsight: Enterprise technology skills platform offering online courses and skill assessments, also a prior funder of LaunchCode. Adjacent as a content/skills-assessment infrastructure provider in the same tech upskilling value chain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LaunchCode social profiles
Digital presenceLaunchCode financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LaunchCode leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
LaunchCode funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LaunchCode 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 LaunchCode
What does LaunchCode do?
LaunchCode delivers free technical education and job placement services to individuals seeking tech careers, while simultaneously providing employer partners with pre-vetted, trained technical talent through flexible engagement models including apprenticeships, contract-to-hire, and direct hire. Core programs span AI-focused training (AI 101, Agentic Specialist, Agentic Engineer) and software development (Foundations, FlexPath, full-time/part-time Software Development, Data Analysis), with employer services covering Talent Delivery, Custom Training, and Upskilling Programs.
Is LaunchCode a public or private company?
LaunchCode is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LaunchCode founded?
LaunchCode was founded in 2013. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is LaunchCode based?
LaunchCode is headquartered in St Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does LaunchCode make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Employer Hiring Revenue is the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants.
Who are LaunchCode's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Per Scholas, Year Up, NPower, Apprenti and Revature. Emerging players are General Assembly, Flatiron School and Ada Developers Academy. Coursera is listed as a broad incumbent. Pluralsight is listed as an others.
Does LaunchCode have an API?
No public API is recorded for LaunchCode.
What industry is LaunchCode in?
LaunchCode's product category is Workforce Development / Technical Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAPAB, Information Technology & Software, with a secondary code of BPAEANAB, Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs. Its NAICS code is 611420 and its SIC code is 8200.