Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs

What Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs does

Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs (ISKC) is a Palatine, Illinois-based karate instruction organization founded in 1978 by John DiPasquale. The company delivers traditional Shotokan karate — kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring) — through a three-tiered age-based program: Pre-Karate (ages 4-6), Youth Karate (ages 7-14), and Youth & Adult Karate (ages 7+), alongside a competitive track for elite athletes preparing for USA Karate Nationals. ISKC serves approximately 6,000-7,000 students annually across 60+ Chicagoland locations operated through partnerships with 75+ park districts, supplemented by a flagship Palatine dojo at 327 N. Eric Drive.

ISKC's business model is session-based with no recurring contracts. Park district classes are priced at approximately $12 per class over 9-15 week semesters; dojo classes at the Palatine headquarters run $179 per session. Revenue is diversified across class fees, summer special training programs for competitive athletes ($90-$270), an e-commerce store selling uniforms, WKF-approved sparring equipment, apparel, and exam guides ($4-$189), and two annual invitational tournaments (Chicago Classic in April and American Shotokan Karate Championship in October). Distribution leans heavily on park district channel partners, with secondary direct-to-consumer enrollment through the ISKC website and Palatine dojo, supported by Instagram, regional earned media (Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, The Patch), and a tiered Refer-a-Friend program.

The organization is founder-led and privately held, with John DiPasquale (7th-degree black belt, four-time National Champion, former U.S. National Team Coach) serving as Chief Instructor while holding executive committee positions at USA Karate, the American Shotokan Karate Association, the World Karate Federation, and the Pan American Karate Federation. The 15+ instructor corps collectively holds 480+ years of martial arts experience and includes multiple current and former U.S. National Team members and international medalists, providing the talent base for ISKC's elite Kata and Kumite competition teams. Technology infrastructure is limited to a Squarespace website, Kajabi-hosted member portal, and standard e-commerce — no proprietary software, AI/ML, or app products are part of the stack.

Name

Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs

Legal name

Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs

Website

https://iskc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs is a Palatine, Illinois-based Shotokan karate instruction organization founded in 1978, serving approximately 7,000 students across 60+ Chicagoland locations via 75+ park district partnerships and a flagship dojo, with structured programs for ages 4 through adult.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Martial Arts Instruction (Karate)

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Traditional Martial Arts Schools (Karate, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, etc.) (HSADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kids & Youth Martial Arts Programs (HSADADAG), Competition & Tournament Team Training (HSADADAJ), Combat Sports Gyms & Dojos (MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, Martial Arts) (MPAKAJAG)

Keywords

• Shotokan karate instruction
• Youth karate programs
• Martial arts training
• Park district karate classes
• Karate tournament events

Headquarters

HQ city

Palatine

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Park District Class Fees: Session-based karate classes offered through park district partnerships. Each semester lasts 9-15 weeks. Classes cost approximately $12 per class. Registration is handled through individual park districts.
2. Dojo Classes: Direct sales of karate classes at the ISKC Palatine Dojo location. Classes are sold in sessions (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday options) at $179 per session. Includes Pre-Karate, Youth, and Adult programs.
3. Merchandise and Equipment: E-commerce store selling karate uniforms (GIS), belts, sparring equipment, apparel, and accessories. Products range from $4 (mouthpiece) to $189 (premium GIS).
4. Special Training Programs: Summer special training programs for competition preparation, including Beginner/Novice ($90), Intermediate ($90), and Elite Kumite/Kata training ($180-$270) for those attending USA Karate Nationals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs teaches traditional Japanese Shotokan karate to children, youth, and adults through in-person group classes delivered at its Palatine Dojo and at 60+ Chicagoland locations operated in partnership with 75+ park districts. Instruction is segmented into three core programs (Pre-Karate ages 4-6, Youth ages 7-14, and Youth & Adult ages 7+) and is supplemented by summer special training clinics, two annual invitational tournaments, and a merchandise and equipment e-commerce store.

Product overview

Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs (ISKC) is a karate instruction organization offering structured programs across 60+ Chicagoland locations. The core offering consists of three main program tiers: Pre-Karate (ages 4-6), Youth Karate (ages 7-14), and Youth & Adult Karate (ages 7+), all teaching Shotokan karate through kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). ISKC operates its main dojo in Palatine with dedicated in-studio classes (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), while offering park district-based classes throughout the metropolitan area. The organization also provides seasonal special training programs for competitive athletes preparing for USA Karate Nationals, including specialized Kata and Kumite summer training sessions for various skill levels. ISKC maintains an online store selling karate equipment including uniforms (Beginner GI, Zan Shin Heavy Weight GI, Zan Shin Medium Weight GI), protective gear (fist guards, head gear, shin pads, chest protectors), training accessories (focus mitts, training tubes, balancing pads), bags, apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets), and exam preparation materials (ASKA Exam Guide). The company organizes two annual tournaments (Chicago Classic Invitational in April and American Shotokan Karate Championship in October) and runs a referral rewards program for members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-Karate Program (Ages 4-6) Structured Shotokan karate instruction for children ages 4-6, taught by Sensei Liz Picchiotti and other ISKC instructors at 60+ Chicagoland park district locations. Focuses on balance, coordination, focus, and a fun introduction to karate basics.
• Youth Karate Program (Ages 7-14) Comprehensive Shotokan karate program for children ages 7-14 teaching kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring), combined with strength training, cardiovascular, and flexibility exercises. Delivered at 60+ Chicagoland park district dojos and the Palatine Dojo.
• Youth & Adult Karate Program (Ages 7+) Karate program for adults and families offering new fitness challenges and the option for parents to take classes alongside their children. Available across ISKC's park district and Palatine Dojo locations.
• ISKC Palatine Dojo Classes In-studio karate classes at ISKC's flagship Palatine Dojo (327 N. Eric Drive, Palatine, IL) sold by session ($179 per session with Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday options). Includes Pre-Karate, Youth, and Adult programs taught by instructors with 20+ years of teaching experience.
• Summer Special Training Programs (USA Karate Nationals Prep) Summer special training clinics for students preparing for USA Karate Nationals. Includes Beginner & Novice Kata/Kumite ($90), Intermediate Kata/Kumite ($90), Advance/Elite Kumite Ages 7-14 ($180), Advance/Elite Kumite Ages 15-40 ($270), and Advance/Elite Kata ($270). Coached by ISKC's elite instructors including Predrag Bajic.
• Chicago Classic Invitational Karate Tournament Annual ISKC-hosted invitational karate tournament held in April at Hoffman Estates High School, open to competitors ages 4+ across all belt levels, with Kata, Kihon, and Kumite divisions.
• American Shotokan Karate Championship Invitational Annual ISKC championship invitational tournament held in October, open to competitors ages 4+ with Kata, Kihon, and Kumite events.
• Karate Equipment, Uniforms, and Apparel (Online Store) E-commerce store at iskc.com/store selling karate equipment and apparel for students and competitors: uniforms (Beginner GI, Zan Shin Heavy Weight GI, Zan Shin Medium Weight GI), belts (White to Black), WKF-approved protective gear (fist guards, shin guards, headgear, chest protectors), training accessories (focus mitts, mouthpieces, groin cups), bags, apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets), patches, and the ASKA Exam Guide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average 5-7 years to black belt with consistent training
• +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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 75+ Chicagoland Park DistrictscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorISKC has established partnerships with 75+ park districts throughout the Chicagoland area to offer karate classes. Classes are held at safe, park district approved facilities. Registration is handled through the park districts. This partnership model allows ISKC to offer classes at 60+ locations across multiple suburbs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• 9Round Fitness: Specialty kickboxing fitness franchise with hundreds of U.S. locations. Comparable to ISKC as a recurring-fee martial-arts-adjacent fitness concept targeting adults seeking structured combat-sports workouts.
• Title Boxing Club: National boxing and kickboxing fitness franchise. Comparable to ISKC as a scaled, consumer-facing combat-sports fitness brand competing for the same discretionary fitness dollars.
• UFC Gym: National fitness franchise combining martial arts, MMA, and functional fitness under the UFC brand. Comparable to ISKC as a broader incumbent in the martial-arts-fitness space, though with a more MMA/modern positioning.

Direct peers

• Premier Martial Arts: Large martial arts franchise offering karate, kickboxing, and self-defense classes for all ages. Comparable to ISKC in multi-location youth/adult martial arts instruction and similar community/after-school distribution model.
• Amerikick: Multi-location martial arts franchise offering karate, kickboxing, and cardio-kickboxing programs. Comparable to ISKC in family/youth-focused martial arts class delivery and franchise-style expansion.
• Karate America: A multi-location karate instruction franchise operating across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable to ISKC as a traditional karate school chain offering youth and adult programs through community-based class delivery.
• American Taekwondo Association (ATA): One of the largest traditional martial arts organizations in the U.S., with affiliated schools nationwide. Comparable to ISKC as a traditional martial arts instruction and tournament-driven organization with a similar curriculum-and-belt-system model.
• Tiger-Rock Martial Arts: Taekwondo and martial arts franchise with hundreds of locations across the U.S. Comparable to ISKC as a structured, multi-location traditional martial arts instruction brand with youth and family programming.

Others

• USA Karate: National governing body for sport karate in the U.S. and the organization ISKC instructors and students compete under. Comparable as an ecosystem participant that shapes the competitive pipeline ISKC relies on for its elite-program reputation.

Emerging players

• Choi Kwang Do: Smaller traditional martial arts organization with affiliated schools primarily in North America. Comparable to ISKC as a discipline-specific traditional martial arts instruction brand with a school-affiliation model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/illinoisshotokan
• Xx.com/iskc
• Facebookfacebook.com/illinoisshotokan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-shotokan-karate-clubs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Illinois Shotokan Karate Clubs