What Rec Foundation does

The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF, DBA REC Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2008 and headquartered in Greenville, United States, that operates robotics and drone education competitions for students from elementary school through college. Its programs include the flagship RECF Robotics Competition (VEX-based), the Aerial Drone Competition and ADC Pro, Online Challenges, the JROTC Robotics Program, the VEX Robotics World Championship held in St. Louis, Missouri, and supporting offerings such as industry certifications, workforce development, scholarships, internships, grants, the International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS), Girl Powered, and Indigenous Robotics. The foundation reports 1.1 million student participants across 70 countries and supports delivery through a global network of Event Partners, volunteers, coaches, and school programs.

The platform combines physical hardware-based robotics and drone competitions with online challenges, recognition programs, and workforce-aligned certification tracks. The technology layer is primarily defined by the VEX robotics ecosystem and partner-designed drones (notably through Robolink for ADC), with RECF providing the competition architecture, rules, event infrastructure, and REC Library of team/event/volunteer resources. The organization does not disclose proprietary software or AI components; product evolution has centered on expanding competition categories, adding drone-specific tiers (ADC Pro), and layering in workforce credentials and recognition programs.

As a nonprofit (EIN 35-2212630), RECF does not publicly disclose revenue. Funding is sourced from corporate sponsorships, grants, and team/event registration fees. Sponsorship relationships include flagship partners Google and NASA, alongside Tesla, Amazon (Amazon Future Engineer), Chevron, Texas Instruments, Eaton, General Dynamics IT, Kettering University, and Robolink. The organization received a Candid Platinum Transparency Seal in 2025, indicating recognized nonprofit accountability. RECF employs 101-250 staff, with operational scale anchored by the annual VEX Robotics World Championship and a multi-tier event structure from local competitions through state, regional, signature events, and the world championship.

Name

Rec Foundation

Legal name

Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

Website

https://roboticseducation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

REC Foundation (RECF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates K-12 and college robotics and drone competitions, including VEX Robotics and the Aerial Drone Competition, serving 1.1 million students across 70 countries through a global Event Partner network and funded by corporate sponsorships and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Robotics Education and STEM Competition Programs

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Robotics Learning Platforms (EDAFANAB)

Keywords

• Robotics competitions
• STEM education programs
• Drone competitions
• Workforce development
• Robotics certifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Greenville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RECF operates a multi-program platform for K-12 and college-level robotics and drone education competitions, including the RECF Robotics Competition (VEX-based), Aerial Drone Competition (ADC), ADC Pro, Online Challenges, and the JROTC Robotics Program. The foundation supports these programs with workforce development services, industry-recognized pre-engineering and robotics certifications, scholarships, internships, and grants, culminating in the annual VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis. RECF's programs reach 1.1 million students across 70 countries through a global network of Event Partners.

Product overview

The REC Foundation operates a multi-program platform for K-12 and college-level robotics and drone education competitions. The core offerings include the RECF Robotics Competition (VEX-based robotics), the Aerial Drone Competition (ADC), and ADC Pro for advanced drone education. Supporting programs include Online Challenges, the JROTC Robotics Program, and the VEX Robotics World Championship. The platform also encompasses workforce development services, industry-recognized certifications, and the International Robotics Honor Society. Additional initiatives include Girl Powered, Indigenous Robotics, scholarships, internships, and grants. Signature Events and the annual RECF Summit provide elevated competition experiences and professional development for event partners and volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aerial Drone Competition: Competition program where teams explore drone careers while developing workforce skills through teamwork and problem-solving.
• ADC Pro
• Online Challenges
• Girl Powered
• International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS)

Products and services

• RECF Robotics Competition The flagship robotics competition program where students design, build, and program robots to compete in challenge-based events at regional, state, and world championship levels. Targeted at elementary through college students.
• Aerial Drone Competition Competition program where teams explore drone careers while developing workforce skills through teamwork and problem-solving using aerial drones. Targeted at students exploring drone and aviation careers.
• ADC Pro (Aerial Drone Competition Pro) Advanced drone competition providing students opportunities to increase awareness and interest in drone technology, industry applications, and career paths in drone and aviation.
• Online Challenges Virtual competition platform allowing students to showcase their robotics work, win prizes, and earn opportunities to compete at the World Championship.
• JROTC Robotics Program Robotics competition program designed specifically for Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps participants.
• Industry Certifications Industry-recognized pre-engineering and robotics certification programs that validate participant skills and workforce readiness.
• Workforce Development Program connecting robotics competition participants with industry connections, career pathways, and professional development opportunities.
• International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS) Recognition program honoring outstanding robotics students for their achievements and contributions to robotics education.
• VEX Robotics World Championship Annual world championship event bringing together the top robotics teams from around the world to compete at the highest level, held in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Girl Powered Initiative promoting and supporting female participation in robotics through workshops, mentorship, and community building.
• Indigenous Robotics Program supporting and encouraging indigenous youth participation in robotics competitions and STEM education.
• Signature Events Large-scale regional and national robotics competitions that meet RECF standards and requirements, offering elevated competition experiences.
• RECF Summit for Robotics Programs Annual summit bringing together event partners and program administrators for training, networking, and best practices sharing.
• RECF Trainings Training programs for volunteers, coaches, and event partners covering competition management, judging, and refereeing.
• Scholarships Financial scholarship opportunities for robotics competition participants pursuing higher education.
• Internships Internship opportunities connecting competition participants with industry partners for real-world work experience.
• Grants Funding programs providing equipment grants and team support to make robotics competitions more accessible.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants more likely to consider studying STEM beyond high school

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and flagship.

• EatoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Beginning in 2023, Eaton has invested in the Factory Automation Competition, Event Partner and Team Grants both Domestic and Internationally.
• RobolinkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022In 2022, Robolink began a joint effort with the RECF to support and sustain the Aerial Drone Competition through designing drones and educator resources.
• AmazonmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Beginning in 2022, Amazon and the Amazon Future Engineer program has worked with the RECF to bring computer science and STEM Education through Robotics Competitions to underserved Indigenous tribes across the United States.
• Kettering UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Kettering University began their partnership with the RECF in 2021, hosting competitions, Event Partner Summits, and becoming a World Championship Sponsor.
• TeslamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2018In 2018, Tesla partnered with the RECF to provide team support, Coach training, teacher stipends, and mentorship funding in Nevada, as well as continuing education credits through a one-of-a-kind externship program.
• GoogleflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Beginning in 2016, Google has become an essential partner through supporting robotics growth, drone team growth, and partnering with the RECF to create the Girl Powered Initiative and the Google Mentorship program.
• ChevronmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Since 2014, Chevron has partnered with the REC Foundation through providing support to the California State Championships allowing these events to be more affordable, closer, and impact more students.
• Texas InstrumentsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Beginning in 2013, TI has partnered with the RECF in sponsoring the World Championship, provided funding for Girl Powered Workshops at their Headquarters and funded team equipment grants for TX.
• General Dynamics ITcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGeneral Dynamics IT supports the REC Foundation by providing returning team grants focused in Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Texas, Missouri, Colorado, Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
• NASAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFor over a decade, NASA and the RECF have worked together promoting STEM interest and workforce connections by growing robotics competitions at the high school level while supporting professional development for coaches.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): FIRST runs FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League—the most direct competitor to RECF's VEX-based robotics competitions, serving the same K-12 STEM student base with a comparable competition-and-workforce model.
• BEST Robotics: BEST Robotics hosts team-based middle and high school robotics competitions across the U.S., competing with RECF for schools, volunteers, and corporate sponsors in the same competition-robotics niche.
• VEX Robotics / Innovation First International (IFI): VEX/IFI builds the hardware and software platforms underpinning RECF's flagship competition; RECF is VEX's largest sanctioned competition operator, making IFI the closest platform-aligned peer and a critical symbiotic counterparty.

Emerging players

• MATE Center (MATE ROV Competition): MATE runs the MATE ROV Competition, an underwater-remotely-operated-vehicle contest for K-12 and college students; it overlaps with RECF in K-12 STEM competitions and workforce-development framing, particularly in marine/technical careers.
• Botball / KISS Institute for Practical Robotics: KIPR's Botball is a school-year robotics contest emphasizing autonomous programming; it competes for STEM classroom time and team registrations with RECF's competitions, sharing the same educational robotics positioning.
• RoboCup Federation: RoboCup organizes international robotics and AI competitions (soccer, rescue, industrial) targeting university and advanced secondary students; it overlaps with RECF's college-level programming and international competitions footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Project Lead The Way (PLTW): PLTW delivers K-12 STEM curricula including computer science and engineering pathways that include robotics modules; it competes with RECF for school adoption, teacher training hours, and corporate sponsorship dollars.
• MathWorks (MATLAB/Simulink) – Education Programs: MathWorks underpins large portions of engineering education through MATLAB/Simulink and student competitions; relevant to RECF as a broad incumbent supplier of engineering-learning software that overlaps with the STEM-platform layer.
• NASA STEM Engagement: NASA STEM Engagement is a flagship federal K-12 STEM promoter that overlaps with RECF's mission and even serves as RECF's own flagship partner; comparable as a funder and convener of K-12 robotics and aerospace workforce programs.

Others

• iRobot / Sphero – Educational Robotics Programs: Sphero and iRobot Education supply programmable robots and classroom curricula used in K-12 STEM; adjacent to RECF as an enabling hardware/curriculum layer that schools may pair with or in place of VEX-based competitions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/REC_Foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/RECFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/robotics-education-competition-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Rec Foundation