LaunchCode

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.

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

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

• Workforce development
• Tech training
• Talent placement
• Apprenticeship programs
• Nonprofit education

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Hire HumancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013LaunchCode initiative to build an AI-ready workforce, ensuring people are equipped to work alongside AI technology rather than be replaced by it.
• BoeingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor 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.
• MastercardcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFortune 500 hiring partner that has employed thousands of LaunchCode graduates in technical roles through the apprenticeship model.
• CentenecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare enterprise partner that has hired thousands of LaunchCode graduates, representing one of the largest placement relationships.
• BroadcomcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnology/semiconductor company using LaunchCode as a talent pipeline for tech hiring needs.
• CignacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom training partnership where LaunchCode built a curriculum to recruit, screen, train, and onboard new Mainframe developers at Cigna.
• Booz Allen HamiltoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsulting firm hiring LaunchCode graduates as application developers, valuing the diverse talent pipeline.
• SpectrummajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTelecommunications company partner hiring LaunchCode talent for tech roles.
• World Wide TechnologymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnology solutions provider using LaunchCode for tech talent acquisition.
• ComcastcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for upskilling frontline workers into technology roles. LaunchCode built custom curriculum and designed Comcast's inaugural 'Grows to Code' program.
• MicrosoftmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnology giant that has hired LaunchCode graduates for technical positions.
• Edward JonesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancial services firm hiring LaunchCode talent for tech roles.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct 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

• Xx.com/launchcode
• Facebookfacebook.com/launchcodestl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/launchcode
• Instagraminstagram.com/launchcode

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

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 LaunchCode