Software.org

What Software.org does

Software.org, formally 'Software.org: the BSA Foundation,' is an independent, nonpartisan international research organization founded in April 2017 and headquartered in Washington, DC. The foundation studies the intersection of software and society, publishing original research on artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, encryption, 5G, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the software industry's economic impact — including reports such as 'The Growing $1 Trillion Economic Impact of Software' and 'Software: Supporting US Through COVID.'

The organization's core deliverables are research reports, policy briefs, and educational toolkits (e.g., Presidential AI Challenge toolkits launched in 2025), delivered alongside workforce-development programs such as the decade-long Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program and the TransformYourTrade.org skills training portal. It does not build proprietary technology products; its 'core technology' is research, content publishing, and convening. Distribution channels include free digital downloads, congressional briefings and seminars in Washington DC, and earned media coverage in Bloomberg, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and US News & World Report.

Funding flows from membership contributions by BSA | The Business Software Alliance member companies — including Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Salesforce, Adobe, SAP, Autodesk, Palo Alto Networks, and Intel — with all publications, programs, and events provided at no cost. Leadership comprises Victoria Espinel (President, also CEO of BSA), Gideon Lett (Executive Director, also BSA's Chief Growth Officer), Leticia Lewis (Director), Lilia Stone (Manager of Strategic Initiatives), and Chris Hopfensperger (founding Executive Director). The organization operates with 1–10 employees, suggesting a lean foundation model that outsources program delivery to partners (Girls Who Code, Economist Intelligence Unit, Blue Star Families, PLEN).

Name

Software.org

Legal name

Software.org, the BSA Foundation

Website

https://software.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Software.org (the BSA Foundation) is an independent nonprofit research organization that publishes studies on software's economic and policy impact and runs education programs for policymakers, K-12 students, and workforce reskillers, funded by BSA member companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation funding from BSA member companies: Software.org: the BSA Foundation is funded by membership contributions from BSA (Business Software Alliance) member companies. The foundation conducts research and outreach on behalf of the global software industry without charging for its publications or programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Software.org: the BSA Foundation is a nonprofit research organization that publishes original studies examining software's economic and societal impact (including AI, blockchain, IoT, 5G, encryption, and infrastructure), runs educational and workforce development programs such as the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program and Presidential AI Challenge toolkits, and engages with policymakers through congressional briefings, seminars, and events. All research reports, toolkits, and educational resources are provided free of charge to policymakers, students, and the public.

Product overview

Software.org: the BSA Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan international research organization that publishes studies examining the intersection of software and society, engages with policymakers on technology policy, and empowers the future workforce through educational programs. The organization operates a portfolio of initiatives including original research reports and studies on software's economic and societal impact, the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, Presidential AI Challenge Toolkits, the TransformYourTrade.org skills training portal, policy-focused events and briefings, and COVID-19 response resources. These offerings work together to inform public understanding of technology and prepare diverse talent for software careers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Research Reports and Studies Original research publications examining software's economic impact, emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain), infrastructure, and policy implications. Includes reports such as 'The Growing $1 Trillion Economic Impact of Software,' 'Artificial Intelligence: Maximizing the Benefits,' 'Blockchain Primer,' 'Sensor Sensibility,' '5G Is Software,' 'How Open RAN Technologies Will Lead to Secure, Innovative 5G Networks,' and 'Software Speeds Delivery of Aid, Helps States Respond to COVID-19.' Provided free of charge to policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.
• Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program Annual two-week student immersion program delivered in partnership with Girls Who Code, providing high school women and nonbinary students with coding skills (including JavaScript), computer science education, exposure to technology careers, and connections to industry mentors. Hosted at Georgetown and virtually, the program serves over 50 students annually.
• Presidential AI Challenge Toolkits Educational toolkits developed to help youth-focused nonprofits and companies support the Presidential AI Challenge initiative, including a Toolkit for Nonprofits and a Toolkit for Companies designed to inspire and engage K-12 students in AI education nationwide.
• TransformYourTrade.org Skills training portal focused on workforce development and reskilling programs, providing training opportunities and resources to help people access software skills regardless of background or location. Designed to connect workers (including military spouses) with software job training and career pathways.
• Events and Briefings Policy-focused events including congressional briefings, seminars on AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and quantum computing, infrastructure discussions, and workforce development forums that convene policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions.
• COVID-19 Response Resources Collection of resources, best practices, and guidance on secure teleworking, remote work transitions, and software solutions supporting pandemic response and recovery. Includes the 'Software: Supporting US Through COVID' report documenting how software helped businesses shift models and promote public health during the pandemic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14.4 million US jobs supported by software industry
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Girls Who CodeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Software.org has maintained a decade-long partnership with Girls Who Code, hosting annual Summer Immersion Programs for high school women and nonbinary students. The foundation has celebrated ten consecutive years of the program (2017-2024), teaching coding skills, introducing participants to tech careers, and connecting students with industry mentors. The partnership aims to close the gender gap in technology.
• White House (Presidential AI Challenge)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025BSA and Software.org signed the White House's Pledge to America's Youth: Investing in AI Education, building on an April 2025 executive order. The foundation developed two toolkits (for nonprofits and companies) to support the Presidential AI Challenge, which invites youth nationwide to explore how AI can solve real-world problems.
• The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Software.org partnered with EIU for data and analysis in their 'Software: Supporting US Through COVID' report, demonstrating how software helped businesses shift models and promote public health during the pandemic.
• Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2020Software.org hosted students from PLEN to discuss careers in STEM and public policy. The seminar highlighted the 14.4 million US jobs supported by the software industry and the importance of training young women to fill tech roles.
• Blue Star FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2019Partnership announced with Senator Mark Warner to connect military spouses with aptitude for tech positions to Software.org's skills training portal TransformYourTrade.org. The initiative aims to help military spouses secure software jobs through training and career pathway resources.
• BSA Member Companies (15 companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware.org is funded by and represents BSA member companies. Fifteen BSA member companies signed the White House pledge on AI education. Member companies include Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Salesforce, Adobe, SAP, Autodesk, Palo Alto Networks, Intel, and others who participate in foundation events and programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Black Girls CODE: A nonprofit introducing girls of color to technology and computer science through workshops and summer programs. Directly comparable to Software.org's Girls Who Code programming in mission, target demographic, and nonprofit K-12 STEM delivery model.
• AnitaB.org: A nonprofit advancing women in technology through programs, research, and events. Comparable to Software.org's Girls Who Code partnership and broader workforce diversity mission for the software industry.

Direct peers

• Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF): The leading tech policy think tank in Washington, DC, producing original research on software, AI, and digital economy issues. Directly comparable to Software.org in mission (nonpartisan tech policy research) and audience (policymakers and industry), though ITIF is larger and more research-prolific.
• Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT): A nonprofit that works at the intersection of tech policy, civil liberties, and government engagement. Comparable to Software.org in nonprofit status, DC policy focus, and engagement with Congress and federal agencies on emerging technology issues.
• New America (Open Technology Institute): A DC-based think tank with a technology and society program that conducts policy research, workforce development, and public engagement on emerging technologies. Closely comparable in operational model, audience, and policy focus.
• Code.org: A nonprofit focused on expanding access to computer science education in K-12 schools. Directly comparable through its workforce development mission, Girls Who Code-style programming, and corporate-funded operational model.
• TechNet: A tech industry trade association representing innovation companies in government affairs. Comparable to Software.org in tech policy advocacy and member-driven model; notably, Software.org's Executive Director Gideon Lett previously served at TechNet.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution (Center for Technology Innovation): A major DC-based think tank with a dedicated technology policy research center. Comparable to Software.org in producing authoritative tech policy research for federal audiences, though Brookings is much broader in scope and significantly larger.
• CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies): A prominent DC-based policy research organization with significant technology and economic competitiveness programming. Comparable in federal policymaker engagement and tech policy research, though far larger and broader in scope.
• Aspen Institute (Tech Policy Programs): A major policy nonprofit with technology and society programming that convenes leaders and produces research. Comparable to Software.org in convening function and policy research, but with much broader thematic scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BSA_Foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/BSAFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/software-org-the-bsa-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Software.org