The DAVE School
The DAVE School is a private, for-profit digital arts education institution in Orlando, Florida, operating as an academic unit of Northbridge University. It trains individual prospective students in visual effects, game production, and virtual production through 12-to-36-month diploma and bachelor programs, with employer placement at major studios.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersOrlando, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The DAVE School does
The DAVE School (Dave School of Digital Arts) is a private, for-profit digital arts education institution headquartered in Orlando, Florida, operating as an academic unit of Northbridge University. It serves individual prospective students seeking careers in visual effects, game production, virtual production, and immersive technology, with an employer-facing channel for studios to hire graduates. The school offers 12-month diplomas in VFX Production and Game Production, an 18-month diploma in Virtual Production, specialized extensions in FX Production and Simulation/Immersive Technology, and a 36-month Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Technology with three specialization tracks.
The curriculum is built on industry-standard digital arts software — Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, SideFX Houdini FX — supplemented by LED wall virtual production stages and VR/AR/XR simulation environments. A three-month on-campus studio residency component structures collaborative production across pre-production, Alpha, Beta, and Gold levels. The Bachelor program layers AI knowledge and cultural studies onto the technical foundation.
The business model is tuition-driven: students pay non-publicly-disclosed program fees for diploma or degree programs of 12 to 36 months in length. Recruitment is direct-to-consumer through website/phone admissions, virtual tours, scheduled campus visits, event-based marketing (e.g., 'Dash of DAVE' free 3D Maya lessons), a Discord community, an Esports Scholarship, and an international student pipeline built on ESL partner schools. Graduate placement at MPC, Disney, Pixar, Netflix, Sony Pictures Animation, Marvel Studios, Warner Bros., PlayStation/Bungie, and Paramount functions as social proof and a key conversion lever.
The DAVE School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The DAVE School
- Legal name
- Dave School of Digital Arts
- Website
- https://daveschool.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The DAVE School is a private, for-profit digital arts education institution in Orlando, Florida, operating as an academic unit of Northbridge University. It trains individual prospective students in visual effects, game production, and virtual production through 12-to-36-month diploma and bachelor programs, with employer placement at major studios.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The DAVE School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Arts Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (611610), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges (EDAHAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation) (EDAMAAAB), Game Development (Unity, Unreal, 2D/3D) (EDAMACAE), Creator Tools & Content Pipelines for Immersive Learning (VR lesson builders, 3D asset workflows) (EDAFAJAL), VR-Based Skills Training Simulations (Soft Skills, Customer Service, Leadership) (EDAFAJAA)
Keywords
Where The DAVE School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orlando
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The DAVE School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Program Fees: Revenue generated from diploma programs (12-18 months) and Bachelor of Science degree (36 months). Programs include Visual Effects Production, FX Production, Game Production, Virtual Production, and Game Production in Simulation and Immersive Technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Diploma Programs (12-18 months) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The DAVE School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The DAVE School delivers accelerated, career-focused training in digital arts through diploma programs (12-18 months) in Visual Effects Production, Game Production, Virtual Production, FX Production, and Game Production in Simulation and Immersive Technology, plus a 36-month Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Technology. Programs combine technical training on Maya, ZBrush, Houdini FX, LED wall virtual sets, and VR/AR/XR tools with a three-month on-campus studio residency and AI/cultural studies content.
Product overview
The DAVE School offers a portfolio of diploma and degree programs in digital arts and technology. The core offerings include three flagship diploma programs: VFX Production (12-month), Game Production (12-month), and Virtual Production (18-month). Extended specializations include FX Production and Game Production in Simulation and Immersive Technology diplomas. The school also provides a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Technology (36-month degree) with three specialization tracks: Visual Effects, Game Production, and Virtual Production. Programs integrate AI and cultural studies with technical training in modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, and real-time production technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- VFX Production Diploma
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates landing industry positions within weeks of graduation at major studios like MPC
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The DAVE School
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The DAVE School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The DAVE School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Northbridge UniversitycoreNorthbridge University is the parent academic institution of the Dave School of Digital Arts. The school operates as an academic unit within Northbridge University.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The DAVE School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games + Animation: Gnomon is a Hollywood-based specialized school offering diplomas and degrees in VFX, game development, and digital production. It is one of the closest direct competitors to DAVE School, serving the same target market of students seeking accelerated, career-focused training in Maya, ZBrush, Houdini, and Unreal Engine-based workflows.
- Full Sail University: Full Sail is a Florida-based for-profit university offering degree and accelerated programs in computer animation, game design, film, and virtual production. It directly competes for the same Florida-resident and international student pool as DAVE School and offers overlapping curricula in VFX, game production, and digital arts.
- Ringling College of Art and Design: Ringling is a Florida-based accredited art college with highly ranked BFA programs in Computer Animation and Game Art. It competes directly with DAVE School's Bachelor of Science track and shares the same Florida and international student market.
- DigiPen Institute of Technology: DigiPen is a Washington-state-based specialized school offering degrees in game design, computer science, and digital art. It directly competes for students interested in game production and animation careers, with similar hands-on project-based curricula.
- Think Tank Training Centre: Think Tank is a Vancouver-based specialized school offering diplomas in 3D animation, VFX, and game development. It serves the same career-focused student demographic and competes for international students considering North American specialized digital arts training.
Regional players
- Vancouver Film School: VFS is a Vancouver-based specialized film and digital arts school with strong programs in 3D animation, VFX, and game design. While geographically focused on Canada, it competes for the same international student demographic and is often benchmarked alongside DAVE School by prospective students.
Broad incumbents
- SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design): SCAD is a large accredited art and design university with strong BFA/MFA programs in animation, VFX, interactive design, and game development. As a broader incumbent, it offers more comprehensive programs and multi-location presence (Savannah, Atlanta, Hong Kong, Lacoste), competing for students who might otherwise choose DAVE School's accelerated diplomas.
- Academy of Art University: Academy of Art University is a San Francisco-based accredited institution offering degree and certificate programs in animation, VFX, game design, and digital arts. As a larger incumbent with online and on-campus options, it competes for the same prospective students seeking specialized digital arts education.
Emerging players
- CGMA (Computer Graphics Master Academy): CGMA is an online specialized training platform offering mentor-driven courses in VFX, game development, and concept art. It represents a more flexible and lower-cost alternative to DAVE School's on-campus accelerated programs, particularly attractive to working professionals and international students who cannot relocate.
- Animationschool.com: Animationschool.com is an online specialized animation school offering mentor-led 3D animation programs. As a fully online emerging player, it competes for students seeking flexible, lower-cost alternatives to DAVE School's on-campus accelerated programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The DAVE School social profiles
Digital presenceThe DAVE School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The DAVE School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The DAVE School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The DAVE School 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 The DAVE School
What does The DAVE School do?
The DAVE School delivers accelerated, career-focused training in digital arts through diploma programs (12-18 months) in Visual Effects Production, Game Production, Virtual Production, FX Production, and Game Production in Simulation and Immersive Technology, plus a 36-month Bachelor of Science in Digital Arts and Technology. Programs combine technical training on Maya, ZBrush, Houdini FX, LED wall virtual sets, and VR/AR/XR tools with a three-month on-campus studio residency and AI/cultural studies content.
Is The DAVE School a public or private company?
The DAVE School is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The DAVE School founded?
The DAVE School was founded in -1. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The DAVE School based?
The DAVE School is headquartered in Orlando, United States, in the North America region.
How does The DAVE School make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition and Program Fees.
Who are The DAVE School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games + Animation, Full Sail University, Ringling College of Art and Design, DigiPen Institute of Technology and Think Tank Training Centre. Vancouver Film School is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and Academy of Art University. Emerging players are CGMA (Computer Graphics Master Academy) and Animationschool.com.
Does The DAVE School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The DAVE School.
What industry is The DAVE School in?
The DAVE School's product category is Digital Arts Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAJAI, Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAMAAAB, Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation). Its NAICS code is 611610 and its SIC code is 8200.