Black Rocket
Black Rocket Productions provides project-based STEM/STEAM education programs for children ages 6-17, delivered through in-room partner courses at US community colleges, schools, and recreation centers plus synchronous online courses worldwide. The portfolio spans 20+ curriculum tracks covering coding, game design, robotics, esports, and AI, supported by the proprietary GRiD game-based learning platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Black Rocket does
Black Rocket Productions LLC is a privately held EdTech company founded in 2002 (corporate filings conflict, with one source citing 1996) and headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey. The company delivers project-based STEM/STEAM education to children ages 6-17, operating a hybrid distribution model that combines (i) in-room courses delivered at partner community colleges, K-12 schools, and parks-and-recreation centers across the United States and (ii) synchronous online courses delivered via Zoom across global time zones. Its product portfolio spans 20+ curriculum tracks covering coding (Python, JavaScript, Lua, block-based), game design (Roblox, Minecraft, Unity, Smash Bros-style platforms), robotics and drones, digital arts (YouTube production, music production, animation), VR/AR, cybersecurity, esports, and AI/machine learning fundamentals. The proprietary GRiD platform is a cloud-based, FERPA- and COPPA-compliant game-based learning software that lets students create, play, and share educational video games across 9 learning levels and 4 templates, with over 1,000 possible game configurations. The platform is also licensed to schools separately as a teacher-facing software with assessment tooling.
Black Rocket monetizes primarily through course enrollment fees positioned at approximately half of competitor pricing to maximize accessibility, supplemented by GRiD platform licensing and professional development services for educators (4,000+ teachers trained across the company's history). Customer segments split across K-12 students and parents (direct enrollment via my.blackrocket.com), program directors at summer camps and recreation centers, K-12 educators, and institutional buyers at community colleges and government-funded programs (notably NYC DYCD COMPASS and SONYC). Marketing is channel-driven: partner referrals at community colleges, organic social, earned media from regional press, and a dedicated online enrollment portal. The company is entirely bootstrapped with no disclosed venture, private equity, or strategic investment; ownership rests with co-founders Bill Zengel and Rich Ginn (curriculum), Sarah Zengel (lead instruction), and Michael Jubina (online game design), with Mark Grundel as Director of Operations.
The company scaled from 11,000 to 12,500 enrolled students and from 200 to 250 partner institutions between 2020 and 2021, expanded internationally via online delivery to students in 12+ countries, and has continued launching new product lines through 2025 (esports league, AI curriculum, UNCG university-anchored esports camps). Cumulative student reach exceeds 400,000 over the company's 20+-year history. Operating geographies span the United States plus online reach into North America (Mexico), South America (Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile), Europe (UK, Germany), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Asia (India, Sri Lanka), and Africa (South Africa).
Black Rocket firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Rocket
- Legal name
- Black Rocket Productions LLC
- Website
- https://blackrocket.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Black Rocket Productions provides project-based STEM/STEAM education programs for children ages 6-17, delivered through in-room partner courses at US community colleges, schools, and recreation centers plus synchronous online courses worldwide. The portfolio spans 20+ curriculum tracks covering coding, game design, robotics, esports, and AI, supported by the proprietary GRiD game-based learning platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Rocket industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 STEM/STEAM Enrichment Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Robotics & Engineering Summer Camps / Bootcamps (EDAMADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D) (EDAMACAE), Drones, UAVs & Aerial Robotics Programs (EDAMADAJ), Cloud & DevOps Fundamentals (Cloud Basics, CI/CD Concepts) (EDAMACAM)
Keywords
Where Black Rocket is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Black Rocket business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Course Enrollment Fees: Revenue from student enrollment in STEM/STEAM courses. Course fees are positioned at approximately half of competitor pricing to ensure accessibility. Offers both in-room and online course delivery formats.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard course enrollment |
| Subscription | Annual | Affordable pricing model |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Black Rocket product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Rocket provides project-based technology enrichment courses and summer/afterschool programs for children ages 6-17, delivered both in-room at partner institutions (community colleges, schools, parks and recreation centers, camps) and live online via Zoom. Its curriculum spans STEM and STEAM subjects including game design, coding (Python, JavaScript, Lua), robotics, drones, AI/machine learning, virtual/augmented reality, cybersecurity, esports, and digital arts, supported by its proprietary GRiD cloud-based game-based learning platform licensed to schools along with educator professional development services.
Product overview
Black Rocket is a STEM/STEAM education provider offering technology camps, courses, and programs for kids ages 6-17 through both in-room and online delivery formats. The portfolio includes the GRiD platform (cloud-based game-based learning software for educators), in-room courses at partner camps and schools, online courses across multiple time zones, and esports league programs. Core course offerings span game design (using Unity, Roblox, Minecraft, video game creation), coding (Python, JavaScript, Lua, block-based), robotics (Creative Design and Robotics, Drone Adventures, Advanced Robotics, DROIDS and BOTS), digital arts (YouTube content creation, stop motion animation, digital music), AI/machine learning (A.I. Designers & Developers, A.I. Adventures), VR/AR development, and cybersecurity. The company also provides educator professional development services having trained over 4,000 teachers. Programs serve various segments including summer camps, after-school programs, K-12 schools, community colleges, and individual families.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- GRiD (Game-Based Learning Platform) Universal cloud-based game-based learning software that enables students to create, play, and share video games about academic subject matter. Features 9 levels of learning, built-in assessments, 4 game templates producing 1,000+ game possibilities, and FERPA/COPPA-compliant data handling. Licensed to K-12 schools and used by educators for classroom-based STEAM instruction.
- In-Room STEM/STEAM Courses On-site technology courses and afterschool programs delivered at partner camps, community colleges, schools, parks, and recreation centers across the United States for children ages 6-17. Includes the full catalog of project-based courses (game design, coding, robotics, drones, AI/ML, VR/AR, cybersecurity, digital arts, esports).
- Online STEM/STEAM Courses (Live via Zoom) Virtual, real-time technology courses delivered via Zoom to students across multiple time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Hawaii) and internationally. Same project-based catalog as in-room courses; expanded nationally and globally after the COVID-19 pivot to fully virtual learning.
- Esports League & Programs Competitive gaming programming including the Black Rocket Esports League, Teen Academy, Summer Invitational, and esports camps hosted at partner universities (e.g., UNCG in 2022 and 2025) and high schools (e.g., Manchester Township High School esports lab). Targets youth ages 6-17.
- Professional Development for Educators Teacher training services including professional development, customized Maker Spaces, and modular STEAM curricula and workshops. Black Rocket has trained 4,000+ teachers in creative technology programs, serving K-12 schools and after-school program staff (including DYCD-funded NYC sites).
- A.I. Adventures – Intro to Machine Learning Course for ages 8-14 in which students construct machine learning models using image and text recognition within block-based coding software to build interactive projects, games, and experiences.
- A.I. Designers & Developers Course exploring artificial intelligence through hands-on projects using block-based coding to create AI-powered games and applications. Positioned as "Mobile Coding" curriculum within the Black Rocket catalog.
- Python Programmers Python programming course for children ages 7-14. Teaches what the company describes as the world's fastest growing programming language, in a project-based format.
- ROBLOX® Coders Lua programming course where students learn to code their own Roblox games. Marketed under Black Rocket's "Mobile Coding" category.
- Minecraft® Modders 3D design and game modification course in which students modify and create their own Minecraft characters, tools, mobs, and more. Categorized under "3D Design and Games" within the Black Rocket catalog.
- Drone Adventures Drone technology course in which students learn to code and fly drones in design challenges. Categorized under "Science & Design" in the Black Rocket catalog and has been featured at Tyler Junior College (Texas).
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of GRiD students see their grades go up
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Black Rocket
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Black Rocket technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature2 records
Black Rocket partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)coreEsports camps partnership scheduled for 2025 at UNCG campus.
- NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)corePartnership through DYCD-funded COMPASS NYC and SONYC programs. Black Rocket STEAM programming offered at Maspeth Town Hall, St. Sebastian's Catholic Academy, P.S./I.S. 49, P.S. 12, and P.S. 229 sites. Partnership spanning 4+ years providing professional development and curriculum to afterschool staff.
- Carroll Community Collegecore10-year partnership delivering STEM camps at Carroll Community College in Westminster, Maryland. Approximately 350 students per year attend, with 30% matriculating into college courses - representing approximately 1000 students over the partnership.
- Elgin Community CollegecorePartner location in Illinois offering in-room Black Rocket courses to local students.
- Lord Fairfax Community CollegecoreVirginia partner featured on ABC Channel 3 Winchester news. Offers Black Rocket programs as part of their summer camp offerings.
- Manchester Township High SchoolcoreBlack Rocket donated to help establish a new esports lab at the high school.
- Drew UniversityminorDrew University student Bahara Mohammadi used Black Rocket programs to teach coding to women in Afghanistan.
- Native American Inuit Tribes (Alaska)minorBlack Rocket provides pro bono services to Native American Inuit tribes in Alaska, teaching coding to underserved communities.
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegecoreNorth Carolina partner featuring Black Rocket coding camps. Covered by Independent Tribune in 2017.
- Forsyth TechcoreNorth Carolina partner. Featured by Time Warner Cable News for 'Destination Forsyth Tech' creative technology program in 2016.
- Howard Community CollegecoreMaryland partner featured by Baltimore Sun for filmmaking courses. Located in Columbia, MD.
- Tyler Junior College (TJC)coreTexas partner offering drone camp programs. Featured in press coverage.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Black Rocket competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- iD Tech: iD Tech is the largest US operator of STEM summer camps and online coding courses for kids and teens. Directly comparable to Black Rocket in target audience (ages 6-17), course topics (coding, game design, AI, robotics), and partner-based in-room delivery, though it operates at much larger scale and is owned by Endeavor.
- Engineering For Kids: Engineering For Kids delivers STEM and engineering enrichment programs for children ages 4-14 through after-school programs, camps, and in-class curricula via a franchise network. Comparable audience and partner-hosted enrichment delivery, though with a heavier engineering and less coding/AI tilt than Black Rocket.
- Code Ninjas: Code Ninjas operates a franchise model of in-center coding, robotics, and game-building programs for kids. Directly comparable in offering STEM enrichment to children, though its model is center-based and franchise-driven rather than partner-hosted camps and online delivery like Black Rocket.
- Game-U: Game-U offers project-based game design, coding, and digital arts programs for kids, delivered both in-person at partner locations and online. Closely mirrors Black Rocket's game design and digital arts course catalog and partner-led delivery, though smaller in scale.
- CodeWizardsHQ: CodeWizardsHQ delivers live online coding classes for kids and teens using project-based curriculum in Python, JavaScript, and web development. Directly comparable to Black Rocket's online synchronous delivery model and curriculum focus, though narrower in subject matter (no robotics or esports).
- STEM For Kids: STEM For Kids provides franchised STEM and robotics programs for K-12 through after-school, camp, and in-school formats. Comparable audience and STEM enrichment positioning, with a broader focus on engineering and robotics versus Black Rocket's stronger game design and esports orientation.
Emerging players
- MakerKids: MakerKids provides STEM, coding, and maker programs for kids ages 6-13 in after-school and camp formats. Comparable target audience and project-based learning approach, with a smaller scale and Canadian concentration versus Black Rocket's US national partner network.
- Outschool: Outschool is an online marketplace for live small-group classes for kids covering coding, game design, and tech topics among many subjects. Comparable in online synchronous delivery to K-12 learners and parental purchasing model, but operates as a broad marketplace rather than a focused STEM curriculum brand.
Broad incumbents
- Varsity Tutors: Varsity Tutors (owned by Nerdy) is a large-scale online and in-person tutoring and enrichment platform serving K-12 with classes, test prep, and subject tutoring including STEM. Comparable in delivering tech-focused enrichment to K-12 families online, but operates as a broad incumbent rather than a focused STEAM specialist like Black Rocket.
Regional players
- Camp Kodiak: Camp Kodiak is a residential summer camp in Canada offering traditional and specialty programming including some technology activities. Comparable in being a youth summer camp operator serving parents seeking enrichment, though not a focused STEM/STEAM specialist like Black Rocket.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Rocket social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Rocket financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Rocket leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Black Rocket funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Rocket 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 Black Rocket
What does Black Rocket do?
Black Rocket provides project-based technology enrichment courses and summer/afterschool programs for children ages 6-17, delivered both in-room at partner institutions (community colleges, schools, parks and recreation centers, camps) and live online via Zoom. Its curriculum spans STEM and STEAM subjects including game design, coding (Python, JavaScript, Lua), robotics, drones, AI/machine learning, virtual/augmented reality, cybersecurity, esports, and digital arts, supported by its proprietary GRiD cloud-based game-based learning platform licensed to schools along with educator professional development services.
Is Black Rocket a public or private company?
Black Rocket is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Black Rocket founded?
Black Rocket was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Black Rocket based?
Black Rocket is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Black Rocket make money?
One revenue line is on record: course Enrollment Fees.
Who are Black Rocket's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are iD Tech, Engineering For Kids, Code Ninjas, Game-U, CodeWizardsHQ and STEM For Kids. Emerging players are MakerKids and Outschool. Varsity Tutors is listed as a broad incumbent. Camp Kodiak is listed as a regional player.
Does Black Rocket have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Rocket.
What industry is Black Rocket in?
Black Rocket's product category is K-12 STEM/STEAM Enrichment Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAF, Robotics & Engineering Summer Camps / Bootcamps, with a secondary code of EDAMACAE, Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.