Breakthrough Silicon Valley
Breakthrough Silicon Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that runs a free, seven-year college-preparation program for first-generation students in San Jose, delivering summer, after-school, computer science, and college-access programs through a students-teaching-students Teaching Fellow model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Breakthrough Silicon Valley does
Breakthrough Silicon Valley (BTSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 through a partnership between Applied Materials and the San Jose Unified School District, operating from offices co-located at Hoover Middle School (San Jose Unified) and Bridges Academy (Franklin-McKinley School District) in San Jose, California. The organization runs a seven-year college-preparation program for first-generation college students, beginning with 6th-grade application and extending through college enrollment, and serves 500+ students annually across 40+ schools. Its core product is a portfolio of interconnected programs — a multi-week Summer Program (rising 7th-9th graders), an After School Program with engineering mindset curriculum, a Computer Science Academy built on the Zulama (Carnegie Learning) platform, a Homework Center, a College Access Program, and supporting workshops (Resume/Mock Interviews, Career Exploration Day, Senior Support Night/FAFSA) — all delivered free of charge. The signature operating model is "students-teaching-students," in which AmeriCorps Teaching Fellows and peer mentors serve as near-peer role models.
BTSV has served 2,100+ students since 2002, with 99% of graduates enrolling immediately in college and 95% persisting beyond their first year. The Teaching Fellow pipeline, funded in part by a $1.4 million AmeriCorps grant (awarded June 2022) supporting 180 members over three years, has produced 600+ inspired educators cumulatively and 40+ young educators annually. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its "stack" consists of curriculum design, instructional methods, program management systems, and basic outcome tracking via individualized Student Success Plans, end-of-summer evaluations, and grade monitoring.
BTSV's revenue model is donation- and grant-driven rather than fee-based, and all services are provided at no cost to students. Funding sources include a tiered corporate and individual giving program (Founding Sponsors at $100K+, Valedictorian $50K-$99,999, Salutatorian $20K-$49,999, Summa Cum Laude $10K-$19,999, Magna Cum Laude $5K-$9,999, Cum Laude $1K-$4,999), institutional support from founding partners Applied Materials and the two partner school districts, and federal AmeriCorps grant funding. Named corporate funders include Applied Materials, Sobrato (Founding), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Valedictorian), Bank of America, Adobe Foundation, and PwC (Salutatorian), and Google and Silicon Valley Bank (Magna Cum Laude). Outreach is community-led, conducted through school district partnerships, multilingual information sessions (English, Spanish, Vietnamese), alumni referrals, social media, and signature fundraising events.
Breakthrough Silicon Valley firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Breakthrough Silicon Valley
- Legal name
- Breakthrough Silicon Valley
- Website
- https://breakthroughsv.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Breakthrough Silicon Valley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that runs a free, seven-year college-preparation program for first-generation students in San Jose, delivering summer, after-school, computer science, and college-access programs through a students-teaching-students Teaching Fellow model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Breakthrough Silicon Valley industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Education / College Access Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)
Keywords
Where Breakthrough Silicon Valley is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Breakthrough Silicon Valley business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual and Corporate Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors are categorized into giving levels: Founding Sponsor ($100,000+), Valedictorian ($50,000-$99,999), Salutatorian ($20,000-$49,999), Summa Cum Laude ($10,000-$19,999), Magna Cum Laude ($5,000-$9,999), and Cum Laude ($1,000-$4,999).
- AmeriCorps Grant: Federal AmeriCorps grant funding to support AmeriCorps members who serve as advisors, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Breakthrough was awarded $1.4 million over three years to support 180 AmeriCorps members.
- Institutional Partnership Support: Ongoing support from founding partners including Applied Materials and school districts (SJUSD and FMSD) that provide operational and programmatic support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free program for all students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Breakthrough Silicon Valley product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Breakthrough Silicon Valley is a nonprofit that provides a free, seven-year college preparation program for first-generation college-bound middle school students in San Jose. Programming includes multi-week summer academic enrichment, a school-year After School Program, year-round personalized advising, college counseling, and career exploration. The organization also runs an AmeriCorps-funded Teaching Fellow program that places high school and college students as near-peer mentors and teachers.
Product overview
Breakthrough Silicon Valley operates as a unified educational nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around its Seven-Year College Preparation Program. The core offering consists of summer programs (featuring academic enrichment, electives, and career exploration), an After School Program for middle schoolers, and year-round personalized advising and college access services. Supporting programs include the AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow Program (which provides near-peer mentors), a Homework Center for tutoring, Resume and Mock Interviews workshops, Career Exploration Day site visits, Senior Support Night for FAFSA assistance, and a Computer Science Academy for coding education. All programs utilize a 'students-teaching-students' model where high school and college students serve as Teaching Fellows, creating a holistic ecosystem designed to guide first-generation college students from middle school through college graduation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Seven-Year College Preparation Program Comprehensive seven-year educational journey from middle school through college, providing academic enrichment, personalized advising, college counseling, career exploration, and leadership development for first-generation college students in San Jose.
- Summer Program Multi-week summer academic enrichment program for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders featuring core academics (algebra, geometry, biology, physics, chemistry, literature, writing), elective courses, career exploration, and field trips. Rising 7th/8th graders participate in a six-week program; rising 9th graders participate in a four-week program.
- After School Program (ASP) School-year program for 7th and 8th graders developing college-going skills, featuring engineering mindset curriculum designed by the Tech Interactive, high school transition preparation, and STEM-based problem-solving activities.
- AmeriCorps Teaching Fellow Program AmeriCorps-funded program providing emerging educators hands-on teaching experience, leadership development, and professional growth opportunities while serving as teachers, mentors, and role models for middle school students.
- Homework Center After-school tutoring program providing one-on-one academic support in math, science, and history for students at Hoover Middle School and Bridges Academy, operating Monday through Thursday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
- Resume and Mock Interviews Workshop Workshop for high school sophomores providing resume review and mock interview practice with industry professionals to build career readiness skills.
- Career Exploration Day Annual workplace visit program where students tour companies and interact with professionals across various industries to explore career pathways and build aspirations for higher education.
- Senior Support Night FAFSA application support sessions helping students and families navigate the financial aid process, particularly serving underrepresented communities.
- Computer Science Academy Two-week intensive program where high school students learn computer science basics and create video games using Zulama platform, including career exposure through lunchtime chats with tech professionals.
- Personalized Advising and College Access Services One-on-one advocacy, counseling, grade monitoring, course selection, college and career readiness workshops, standardized test preparation, essay writing camps, and financial aid guidance throughout the program.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% of graduates enroll immediately into college
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Breakthrough Silicon Valley
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Breakthrough Silicon Valley technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Breakthrough Silicon Valley partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered founding, core and minor.
- San Jose Unified School DistrictfoundingSan Jose Unified School District was a founding partner of Breakthrough Silicon Valley in 2002. The partnership enables recruitment of students from district middle schools and provides facilities for programming, including the Hoover Middle School office location.
- Franklin-McKinley School DistrictcoreFranklin-McKinley School District partners with Breakthrough to provide programming at Bridges Academy office location and recruit students from district middle schools. The district identifies prospective students and supports them throughout the admissions process.
- Beyond 12coreBeyond 12 is a partner that provides personalized coaching for BTSV graduates during their first two years of college, supporting college persistence and completion.
- The Tech InteractiveminorThe Tech Interactive provides an engineering mindsets curriculum for the After-School Program, designed in partnership with their Tech Challenge program to promote communication, collaboration, and creative thinking through STEM-based problem solving activities.
- Santa Clara UniversityminorSanta Clara University has a partnership with Breakthrough Silicon Valley highlighted in Santa Clara Magazine coverage. Many BTSV community members have attended SCU, and the university is a pipeline for Teaching Fellows and alumni engagement.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Breakthrough Silicon Valley competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Breakthrough Collaborative: The national umbrella network that BTSV operates within; runs the same students-teaching-students, multi-year college access model across multiple U.S. cities. Most direct peer given shared model, mission, and program structure.
- College Track: National nonprofit providing a 10-year college access and completion program for first-generation students from underserved communities, headquartered in Oakland with strong Bay Area footprint. Directly comparable long-horizon cohort model targeting the same first-gen population.
- Bottom Line: National nonprofit delivering college access and degree completion support to first-generation students from low-income backgrounds. Comparable mission, target population, and outcomes-focused service model (high college persistence rates).
- First Graduate: San Francisco-based nonprofit preparing first-generation students for college success through long-term academic and advising programs. Same Bay Area geography and similar multi-year first-gen college access mission as BTSV.
- uAspire: National nonprofit focused specifically on college affordability, advising, and financial aid navigation for low-income and first-generation students. Overlapping population and similar near-peer advisor model.
- Posse Foundation: National leadership and college access program that recruits diverse cohorts of students for college scholarships and support. Comparable focus on first-generation students, peer cohort model, and long-horizon outcomes tracking.
Broad incumbents
- AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): Large established K-12 college readiness system implemented in thousands of schools nationwide. Serves similar first-generation and underrepresented student populations through school-based systems, but at much larger scale and as a curriculum/program rather than direct service.
- KIPP Foundation: National K-12 charter school network with strong college completion outcomes for low-income students. Comparable long-term college-prep mission for underserved students but delivered through a much larger charter school footprint.
Regional players
- Eastside Preparatory School: Bay Area secondary school serving first-generation and underrepresented students with a college preparatory mission. Regional peer with comparable student demographics and similar Silicon Valley geographic context.
Others
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley: Regional youth development nonprofit serving similar demographics in Silicon Valley through after-school and college-prep programming. Adjacent rather than direct overlap, but competes for the same funder dollars and student population in the same geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Breakthrough Silicon Valley social profiles
Digital presenceBreakthrough Silicon Valley financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Breakthrough Silicon Valley leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Breakthrough Silicon Valley funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Breakthrough Silicon Valley 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 Breakthrough Silicon Valley
What does Breakthrough Silicon Valley do?
Breakthrough Silicon Valley is a nonprofit that provides a free, seven-year college preparation program for first-generation college-bound middle school students in San Jose. Programming includes multi-week summer academic enrichment, a school-year After School Program, year-round personalized advising, college counseling, and career exploration. The organization also runs an AmeriCorps-funded Teaching Fellow program that places high school and college students as near-peer mentors and teachers.
Is Breakthrough Silicon Valley a public or private company?
Breakthrough Silicon Valley is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Breakthrough Silicon Valley founded?
Breakthrough Silicon Valley was founded in 2002. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Breakthrough Silicon Valley based?
Breakthrough Silicon Valley is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does Breakthrough Silicon Valley make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual and Corporate Donations are the primary driver. The others are ameriCorps Grant and institutional Partnership Support.
Who are Breakthrough Silicon Valley's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Breakthrough Collaborative, College Track, Bottom Line, First Graduate, uAspire and Posse Foundation. Broad incumbents are AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and KIPP Foundation. Eastside Preparatory School is listed as a regional player. Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley is listed as an others.
Does Breakthrough Silicon Valley have an API?
No public API is recorded for Breakthrough Silicon Valley.
What industry is Breakthrough Silicon Valley in?
Breakthrough Silicon Valley's product category is Youth Education / College Access Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAC, After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGADAB, K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.