Raíces Cyber

What Raíces Cyber does

Raíces Cyber Organization Inc is a 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) nonprofit headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico and founded in 2020, focused on cybersecurity workforce development for underrepresented communities — particularly LatinX populations — across the full career lifecycle from K-12 through professional placement. Its core technology is a workforce development platform built around the NICE Framework, Cisco Networking Academy curriculum, and a stack of partner-provided free certifications (Google Cybersecurity Fundamentals, ISC2 CC, Fortinet NSE 1-3, Cisco Intro to Cybersecurity, EC-Council Essentials Series, IBM SkillsBuild, Microsoft SC-900, TryHackMe, Hack The Box). The organization runs 32 chapters across the US and internationally, a 2,500+ member Discord community, the CyberTalk podcast, the Raíces Youth Corps (K-12), college workshop programs, the CyberPros experiential learning cohorts (Offensive, Defensive, GRC & IAM), the CyberHire Accelerator job placement program, a career pathway assessment tool, the PR Cyber & AI Center of Excellence, and an annual RaicesCON conference.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure combining individual memberships (Silver $5/mo, Gold $7/mo, Student $25/yr), corporate membership tiers ranging from $250/year (Partner) to $10K+ (Sponsor), donations processed via Hack Club, branded merchandise sales ($4–$55 per item), and institutional grants — the largest disclosed being a $10,000 Liberty Foundation grant in November 2025. Go-to-market is community-led via Discord, LinkedIn (7,300+ followers), Instagram, YouTube, podcast distribution, conference presence (RSA, ISSA, White House workforce sessions), and the chapter network. Customer segments span K-12 students, college students, adult career changers, and corporate partners seeking diversity pipeline access; named educational delivery partners include University of Massachusetts and San Diego State University. The organization operates with a stated 1–10 person core staff plus a 13+ person volunteer leadership team under Founder/Chairman Eric J. Belardo and Executive Director Yarice A. Hidalgo (appointed 2025).

Name

Raíces Cyber

Legal name

Raices Cyber Organization Inc

Website

https://raicescyber.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Raíces Cyber is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 that delivers cybersecurity workforce development programs — including free certifications, experiential cohorts, and K-12 through adult training — to underrepresented LatinX and minority communities via a 32-chapter US and international network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Workforce Development

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity (General) (EDAOAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC), Cybersecurity (Digital Safety, Ethical Hacking Basics) (EDAMACAH), Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity education
• Workforce development
• Certification pathways
• Career mentorship programs
• Security training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Tiers: Four corporate membership levels: Partner ($250/year), Nonprofits ($1,000/year), Small Teams ($2,500/year), Corporate ($5,000/year), plus Sponsorship starting at $10K. Includes event discounts, chapter access, talent pipeline, speaking opportunities, and logo placement.
2. Individual Memberships: Silver ($5/month or $50/year), Gold ($7/month or $75/year), Student ($25/year). Benefits include chapter access, event discounts, mentorship, merchandise discounts, and recognition.
3. Donations: 501(c)(3) nonprofit accepting donations through Hack Club payment platform. Received $10k grant from Liberty Foundation in 2025.
4. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce store selling branded apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, accessories. Price points range from $4.17 (stickers) to $55 (hoodies).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Raíces Cyber is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates a cybersecurity workforce development platform spanning K-12 youth education through professional career placement. Its core offerings include gamified youth cyber programs (Raíces Youth Corps), college workshops, free certification pathways through corporate partnerships (Google, ISC2, Fortinet, Cisco, IBM, Microsoft, EC-Council, TryHackMe, Hack The Box, CISA), a three-track experiential CyberPros program (Offensive, Defensive, GRC & IAM), the CyberHire Accelerator for job placement, and 32 community chapters across the US and internationally.

Product overview

Raíces Cyber Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization focused on cybersecurity education and career development. The organization operates a multi-tiered portfolio of programs including Raíces Youth Corps (RCYC) for K-12 students, College Programs with workshops and chapters, and Adult Programs encompassing career mapping, free certifications, CyberPros experiential learning, CyberHire Accelerator job placement, and the PR Cyber & AI Center of Excellence. Supporting programs include the CyberTalk Podcast, RCO Webinars, Job Board, and over 32 national and international chapters. The organization also offers membership tiers (Silver, Gold, Student, Corporate) and a branded merchandise store. In 2025, the organization celebrated its 5th Anniversary with a new branding and launched new membership and job board programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PR Cyber & AI CoE: Puerto Rico Cybersecurity & AI Center of Excellence - serves as a hub for innovation, workforce development, and digital resilience in Puerto Rico.
• Raíces Youth Corps (RCYC)
• CyberPros to Success
• CyberTalk Podcast
• RCO Webinars

Products and services

• Free Certifications Program Partnership program offering free cybersecurity certifications from Google (Cybersecurity Fundamentals), ISC2 (Certified in Cybersecurity), Fortinet (NSE 1-3), Cisco (Introduction to Cybersecurity), EC-Council (Essentials Series), IBM SkillsBuild, TryHackMe (Pre-Security Path), Hack The Box Academy (Tier 0), CISA Learning, and Microsoft (SC-900) for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds.
• CyberPros to Success Experiential learning program operating three simultaneous cohorts (Offensive Security/Red Team, Defensive Security/Blue Team, GRC & IAM) combining technical instruction, hands-on practice, and professional mentorship from cybersecurity experts for aspiring and early-career professionals.
• MAP Your Cybersecurity Career Career preparation program following the NICE Framework that guides individuals through assessment of interests, job market analysis, certification requirements, experiential learning via CyberPros, and job readiness activities for cybersecurity career entry or advancement.
• CyberHire Accelerator Job placement program led by a cybersecurity recruiter with more than 15 years of experience, delivered in partnership with CareerCircle to help graduates of the certification and experiential programs secure entry-level and adjacent cybersecurity positions.
• Career Pathway Assessment Three-phase structured assessment tool that maps a participant's core drivers, cognitive strengths, and technical inclination to specialized cybersecurity domains (Offensive, Defensive, Infrastructure, GRC, and Specialized operations) to recommend a tailored career path.
• Raíces Youth Corps (RCYC) K-12 youth program built to inspire, prepare, and mentor students as the new generation of Cyber Defenders through gamified curriculum, Capture The Flag challenges, teacher training, student chapters, and summer bootcamps using Cisco Networking Academy materials.
• College Program Workshops and short courses (up to 16 hours) for college students covering Introduction to Cybersecurity and AI Fluent: Strategies and Applications in the Workforce, paired with a student chapter network connecting participants with mentors, recruiters, and industry leaders.
• PR Cyber & AI Center of Excellence Puerto Rico-based hub for cybersecurity and AI innovation, workforce development, and digital resilience delivering specialized training, Free Certs programs, and an AI-and-cybersecurity-aligned curriculum to bridge cutting-edge technology with community empowerment.
• CyberTalk Podcast Podcast series hosted by the Sr. Director of Educational Resources featuring cybersecurity professionals who share their career journeys, challenges, and practical advice for landing first roles in cybersecurity, distributed via YouTube and podcast platforms.
• RCO Webinars Continuing education webinar series for cybersecurity professionals covering current topics and cutting-edge solutions, delivered with partners including Cisco, CareerCircle, and IBM SkillsBuild on AI, communication skills, and career development.
• Job Board Online job board focused on entry-level cybersecurity positions accessible to newly trained professionals, available to job seekers and shared with graduates of the certification, CyberPros, and CyberHire programs.
• Individual Memberships (Silver, Gold, Student) Individual membership tiers offering chapter access, event and RaícesCON discounts, mentorship opportunities, merchandise discounts, and recognition: Silver ($5/month or $50/year), Gold ($7/month or $75/year), and Student ($25/year).
• Corporate Membership Tiers Corporate membership options including Partner ($250/year, for small businesses), Nonprofits ($1,000/year), Small Teams/ERGs ($2,500/year), Corporate ($5,000/year), and Sponsor (starting at $10K with multi-year contracts), providing event discounts, chapter access, talent pipeline, speaking opportunities, logo placement, and recognition wall inclusion.
• RaícesCON Annual Conference Annual conference featuring panels, networking, workshops, and career fair opportunities for the cybersecurity community, with membership discounts and speaking sponsorship opportunities for corporate tiers.
• Chapter Network Network of 32+ professional and collegiate chapters across the US (24) and international markets (8) including Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Toronto, Panama, Brazil, London, and Virtual, providing local program delivery, networking, and career development.
• Raíces Cyber Store (Branded Merchandise) Own e-commerce store selling Raíces Cyber branded merchandise including t-shirts ($16-$25), hoodies ($35-$55), hats ($17-$30), mugs ($13), stickers, and accessories ($4-$14) shipped domestically from the US.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30 professionals gained hands-on experience through CyberPros for Success program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• White House (Office of the National Cyber Director)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Raíces Cyber participated in workforce development strategic session at the White House with Deputy National Director Harry Wingo to discuss increasing LatinX representation in cybersecurity.
• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle provides Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate scholarships through Raíces Cyber for entry-level cybersecurity skills in threat analysis, risk management, security operations, and AI in cybersecurity.
• ISC2coreGTM or Marketing PartnerISC2 provides Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification opportunity through Raíces Cyber's free certification pathway program.
• Fortinet (NSE Institute)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFortinet NSE Institute offers NSE 1-3 certificates through Raíces Cyber's free certification pathway.
• Cisco Networking AcademycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCisco provides Introduction to Cybersecurity course and certification through Raíces Cyber. Curriculum used in youth programs.
• CISA LearningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) provides free learning courses through Raíces Cyber pathway.
• EC-CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEC-Council provides Essentials Series certifications (N|DE, E|HE, D|FE) through free pathway program.
• TryHackMecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTryHackMe provides Pre-Security Path learning through Raíces Cyber's free certification pathway.
• Hack The Box AcademycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHack The Box Academy offers Tier 0 training with Credly badges through partnership with Raíces Cyber.
• IBM SkillsBuildcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIBM SkillsBuild provides Cybersecurity Fundamentals course with verified badge through Raíces Cyber pathway. Also provides webinars on AI and communication skills.
• MicrosoftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMicrosoft Virtual Training Day offers free/discounted exam vouchers for SC-900 certification through Raíces Cyber.
• CyberCanonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyberCanon collaboration for CyberReads book review program launching Fall 2026 - virtual library highlighting best cybersecurity books.
• CareerCircleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCareerCircle partners with Raíces Cyber for job readiness webinars and CyberHire Accelerator program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NPower: National nonprofit providing free tech workforce training and job placement for underrepresented young adults and military veterans. Highly comparable mission and target population, with an overlapping cybersecurity-adjacent curriculum.
• Per Scholas: Nonprofit that delivers tuition-free IT and cybersecurity training to adults from underserved communities, with employer partnerships for placement. Closest direct analog in mission, model, and corporate-funder go-to-market.
• Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit connecting young adults from underrepresented communities to corporate internships and jobs in tech and cybersecurity. Comparable funder base, learner demographics, and employer outcomes model.
• Cyber.org (formerly NICERC): Nonprofit providing K-12 cybersecurity education, curricula, and teacher training. Directly comparable to the Raíces Youth Corps (RCYC) program in audience, mission, and partnership-driven content model.

Broad incumbents

• SANS Institute: Largest incumbent provider of cybersecurity training and certifications globally, including SANS Workforce programs for underrepresented talent. Comparable product surface (cybersecurity certifications) but at vastly greater scale and price points.
• CompTIA: Industry association issuing widely adopted IT and cybersecurity certifications (Security+, Network+). Comparable as a credentialing pathway supplier; partners broadly with nonprofits like Raíces but operates as a standards body, not a community.
• (ISC)²: Global nonprofit certifying body for cybersecurity professionals (CISSP, CC), with a '100K in the UK' / '1M in the US' initiative to widen access. Directly comparable certification partner to Raíces and operates a similar nonprofit-for-the-profession posture.

Emerging players

• TryHackMe: Hands-on cybersecurity learning platform that is already a Raíces partner (Pre-Security Path). Comparable in target learner and gamified upskilling model, but commercial rather than nonprofit.
• Cybrary: Commercial cybersecurity training platform with a free tier and workforce/team offerings. Comparable learner experience (video, hands-on, certification prep), but profit-driven and broader in audience than Raíces' community.

Others

• ALPFA: Association of Latino Professionals For America, which awarded Raíces' founder in 2024. Thematically and demographically aligned, with shared corporate and student-chapter networks that can drive cross-referrals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RaicesCyberOrg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@raicescyber
• Facebookfacebook.com/RaicesCyberOrg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raicescyberorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/raicescyberorg

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Raíces Cyber