9 Dots
9 Dots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers K-6 computer science curriculum, on-site teacher support, and the PixelBots learning platform to Title 1 elementary schools across Los Angeles County, serving over 9,000 students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 9 Dots does
9 Dots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Torrance, California, that delivers K-6 computer science education to Title 1 elementary schools in Los Angeles County. Its core program, "Get Coding," combines on-site teacher professional development, a standards-aligned K-6 CS curriculum (mapped to California CS, Next Generation Science, and Common Core standards), and a three-year gradual release support model (full → partial → independent) intended to build sustainable in-school CS capacity. The organization complements this with the "PixelBots" online learning platform, which hosts coding lessons, teacher resources, and student progress dashboards with SSO integrations to Clever, Google, and ClassLink. A forthcoming product, "The Rewriters" (a 10-lesson game-based module launching in Fall 2025), is the first release in a next-generation curriculum built around the 5E instructional model.
9 Dots' business model is philanthropic rather than commercial. The organization does not publicly disclose program pricing, and Title 1 schools receive the program at no or subsidized cost. Operating revenue is sourced from a mix of foundation grants (National Science Foundation, Weingart Foundation, LA2050, Riordan Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, All Points North Foundation, The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, ECMC Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Riot Games, Verizon Foundation, Google for Nonprofits, DPR Construction), and individual donations. Reach has scaled to 30-32 Title 1 schools serving over 9,000 students and 360+ teachers, with 94% of students identifying as students of color. The team consists of approximately 25 staff across engineering, product, programs, and operations, led by Executive Director Alexis Cabrera and a Board of Directors chaired by founder Josh Taylor.
9 Dots firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 9 Dots
- Legal name
- 9 Dots
- Website
- https://9dots.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 9 Dots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers K-6 computer science curriculum, on-site teacher support, and the PixelBots learning platform to Title 1 elementary schools across Los Angeles County, serving over 9,000 students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
9 Dots industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Computer Science Education Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM & Computer Science Curriculum (EDAGAAAB), K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA), Learning Management Systems (LMS) & Digital Classrooms (EDAJAMAA), K–12 Instructional Design & Curriculum Development Services (EDAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where 9 Dots is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
9 Dots business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Philanthropic Support: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, 9 Dots relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund operations. The organization has numerous corporate sponsors and receives grants from organizations like the National Science Foundation.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor the organization to support equitable CS educational opportunities. Partners include technology companies, gaming companies, and foundations committed to diversity in tech.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Get Coding Program for Schools |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
9 Dots product offering
Product offeringCore offering
9 Dots delivers K-6 computer science education to Title 1 elementary schools in Los Angeles through its Get Coding in-school program, providing on-site teacher support, a standards-aligned K-6 CS curriculum, and the proprietary PixelBots online learning platform with student progress tracking. The organization also develops additional curriculum products such as The Rewriters, a game-based learning module launching in Fall 2025. All programs are provided to schools free or at subsidized rates, funded through philanthropic donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.
Product overview
9 Dots is a nonprofit K-6 computer science education organization offering a multi-product portfolio centered on its core 9 Dots Learning Platform and Get Coding in-school program. The Get Coding program provides schools with on-site professional development support and implements a gradual release model (full support, partial support, then independent teaching). The K-6 Curriculum teaches computational thinking through coding lessons aligned with California standards. The 9 Dots Learning Platform serves as the online hub for lesson delivery, student progress tracking, and teacher data dashboards. The newest addition is The Rewriters, a game-based learning module launching Fall 2025 as the first module of a next-generation curriculum that uses the 5E instructional model with storytelling and gameplay elements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Get Coding: In-school program that helps elementary schools build exceptional computer science programs with on-site support, coding lessons, and learning insights platform.
- devY
- PixelBots
Products and services
- Get Coding An in-school computer science program for Title 1 elementary schools in Los Angeles. Includes on-site professional development and coordinator support, a K-6 CS curriculum aligned with California state CS standards, and access to the 9 Dots Learning Platform with teacher dashboards. Uses a gradual release support model (full support in year one, partial support in year two, independent thereafter).
- 9 Dots Learning Platform (PixelBots) An online K-6 coding platform that serves as a hub for coding lessons, learning insights, and teaching resources. Includes lesson playlists, student progress tracking dashboards, and teacher data tools for monitoring student growth in coding proficiency and sense of belonging. Supports single sign-on via Google, Clever, and ClassLink.
- K-6 Curriculum
- The Rewriters A 10-lesson game-based learning module for 3rd graders that teaches problem-solving through a narrative-driven puzzle game. Uses the 5E instructional model and introduces a four-step problem-solving framework. The first module of 9 Dots' next-generation curriculum.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% of teachers would recommend 9 Dots
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 9 Dots
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
9 Dots technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
9 Dots partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Google for NonprofitscoreProvides technology tools and platform access for nonprofit operations. Google staff participate as guest speakers at schools during Computer Science Education Week.
- UCLAcoreAcademic research partner in NSF-funded project investigating how students and teachers can face obstacles in learning coding fearlessly and resiliently.
- UC BerkeleycoreAcademic research partner in NSF-funded project on CS education research.
- Sony Santa Monica StudiominorHosted field trip for 5th graders from 96th Street STEAM Academy to show students what it takes to make video games and expose them to careers in tech.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
9 Dots competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BootUp PD: Nonprofit focused on elementary school CS education with in-school professional development, similar to 9 Dots' gradual-release Get Coding model. Operates in multiple US regions, often in Title 1 schools.
- CodeHS: K-12 computer science curriculum and professional learning platform used by schools and districts nationwide. Direct overlap with 9 Dots' curriculum-plus-PD model, though CodeHS focuses more on secondary CS.
- Kodable: K-5 coding curriculum and platform designed for elementary school classrooms with teacher lesson plans and progress tracking. Closest direct competitor to 9 Dots in grade band and product surface area.
- Tynker: K-12 coding platform with self-paced curriculum, classroom management tools, and school district licensing. Highly comparable to PixelBots in product and K-8 audience, though Tynker is a venture-backed for-profit.
Broad incumbents
- TEALS (Microsoft): Microsoft-run program that pairs industry volunteers with teachers to expand CS education in high schools, with growing K-8 reach. Comparable mission (equity in CS education) and PD model to Get Coding.
- Code.org: Largest K-12 computer science education nonprofit, offering free K-12 CS curriculum, professional development, and Hour of Code. Significantly larger and broader in scope than 9 Dots, but operates in the same K-12 CS equity space.
- CS First (Google): Google's free K-8 CS curriculum and after-school club program, used widely in Title 1 and underserved schools. Same target customer as 9 Dots, with brand and capital advantages of Google.
Regional players
- Black Girls CODE: Nonprofit providing CS education to girls of color through workshops, after-school programs, and summer camps with regional chapters. Shares 9 Dots' equity and CS access mission, but different delivery model.
Emerging players
- CodeCombat: Game-based K-12 computer science learning platform used in schools. Comparable to 9 Dots' The Rewriters game-based approach and PixelBots platform, though serves a wider K-12 range.
Others
- CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association): Professional association for CS educators that provides standards, advocacy, and community for K-12 CS teachers. Ecosystem peer to 9 Dots' teacher community building and standards-aligned curriculum work.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
9 Dots social profiles
Digital presence9 Dots compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
9 Dots financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
9 Dots leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
9 Dots funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
9 Dots 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 9 Dots
What does 9 Dots do?
9 Dots delivers K-6 computer science education to Title 1 elementary schools in Los Angeles through its Get Coding in-school program, providing on-site teacher support, a standards-aligned K-6 CS curriculum, and the proprietary PixelBots online learning platform with student progress tracking. The organization also develops additional curriculum products such as The Rewriters, a game-based learning module launching in Fall 2025. All programs are provided to schools free or at subsidized rates, funded through philanthropic donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.
Is 9 Dots a public or private company?
9 Dots is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 9 Dots founded?
9 Dots was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 9 Dots based?
9 Dots is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does 9 Dots make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Philanthropic Support is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships.
Who are 9 Dots's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BootUp PD, CodeHS, Kodable and Tynker. Broad incumbents are TEALS (Microsoft), Code.org and CS First (Google). Black Girls CODE is listed as a regional player. CodeCombat is listed as an emerging player. CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) is listed as an others.
Does 9 Dots have an API?
No public API is recorded for 9 Dots.
What industry is 9 Dots in?
9 Dots's product category is K-12 Computer Science Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAMAD, Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAGAAAB, STEM & Computer Science Curriculum. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.