Code+design
Code+design (CODE Education GmbH, Berlin) runs free, project-based digital-education camps and online meet-ups for youth aged 14–21 in Germany, funded by corporate sponsors led by RAG Stiftung, with a focus on disadvantaged participants in the Ruhr region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Code+design does
Code+design (legally CODE Education GmbH, founded 2016, headquartered at Donaustraße 44, Berlin) is a youth education initiative providing free, project-based learning in digital technologies to teenagers and young adults aged 14–21, with an explicit emphasis on participants from disadvantaged backgrounds (chancenbenachteiligte Verhältnisse). Its core offerings consist of multi-day, hackathon-style camps held across Ruhr region cities (Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Mülheim) and weekly online meet-ups delivered via Discord. Curriculum covers programming (Python, Java), web development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript), game, app and robotics development, design thinking, and introductory AI/ML and IoT concepts, with on-site coaching from a named team of Team- and Tech-Coaches and a career-orientation component that connects participants with digital-economy professionals.
The underlying technology is operational rather than proprietary: a WordPress-based website (code.design, join.code.design for self-serve registration), Discord for synchronous online meet-ups, and standard social channels (Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram) for top-of-funnel discovery. The company has no app, no published SDK or API (api_exists: false), no disclosed patents or proprietary AI assets, and reports a 1–10 employee range.
Code+design is funded entirely through corporate sponsorship rather than participant fees; all programs are 100% free for youth (100 % kostenlos). Revenue mechanics are sponsorship-driven: RAG Stiftung has been the main sponsor (Hauptsponsor) since 2021, financing free camps for disadvantaged youth in the Ruhr area, while the formalized Nachwuchsförderung (youth development) package is sold to additional regional employers as a talent-pipeline and community-engagement proposition, with the explicit pitch of building future skilled workers for the sponsoring company. The GTM operates on two tracks: a community-led, direct-to-consumer funnel into youth participants, supported by 'Coach werden' volunteer recruitment, and a corporate-sponsorship sales motion into regional employers via the Nachwuchsförderung page, [email protected], and direct outreach.
Code+design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Code+design
- Legal name
- CODE Education GmbH
- Website
- https://code.design
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Code+design (CODE Education GmbH, Berlin) runs free, project-based digital-education camps and online meet-ups for youth aged 14–21 in Germany, funded by corporate sponsors led by RAG Stiftung, with a focus on disadvantaged participants in the Ruhr region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Code+design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth STEM Education
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coding, Game Design & Computer Science Camps (EDAMALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++) (EDAMACAB), Web Development (HTML/CSS/JavaScript, Front-End/Back-End) (EDAMACAC), Robotics, Engineering & Makers Camps (EDAMALAE)
Keywords
Where Code+design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Code+design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorship: Primary revenue stream from corporate sponsors (RAG Stiftung as main sponsor) who fund free youth education programs. Sponsors receive visibility, access to potential future talent, and community engagement benefits. Since 2021, programs for disadvantaged youth in the Ruhr region are funded through RAG Stiftung sponsorship.
- Talent Pipeline Services: Companies sponsor camps to identify and recruit future apprentices and employees early, securing a pipeline of potential skilled workers from the region.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free programs for youth participants aged 14-21 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Code+design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Code+design provides free, project-based digital education programs for youth aged 14-21 through multi-day hackathon-style camps held in cities across the Ruhr region (Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Mülheim) and weekly online meetups via Discord. Participants learn programming, game development, web development, robotics, app development, AI/ML concepts, and design thinking under the guidance of professional coaches, with career orientation sessions connecting them to digital economy professionals.
Product overview
Code+design operates a unified educational program focused on youth digital literacy. The core offerings consist of multi-day code+design Camps (hackathon-format events in the Ruhr region) and weekly online Meet-Ups, both providing workshops in programming, game development, app development, web design, robotics, and AI concepts. Programs target youth aged 14-21 and are free for participants, with corporate sponsorship enabling accessibility. The Nachwuchsförderung program offers companies a pathway to support and engage with young talent through regional camp sponsorship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- code+design Camp
Quantifiable outcome
- Participants develop projects in games, apps, websites, and hardware during each camp
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Code+design
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Code+design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Code+design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Code+design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Open HPI: Hasso Plattner Institute's free online platform offering STEM and computer science MOOCs to learners of all ages, including younger students. Adjacent in free digital education but online-only and academic in delivery.
Regional players
- Ironhack: Global coding bootcamp with European operations including Germany. Overlaps in curriculum (web dev, Java, AI) but targets fee-paying adult career changers rather than free youth programs.
- HABA Digitalwerkstatt: German family-brand initiative running digital workshops for children in physical retail locations. Comparable youth digital education focus, but serves younger children and operates as commercial retail experience rather than free camps.
Broad incumbents
- Codecademy: Large online coding education platform covering Python, Java, web development and more. Overlaps in curriculum content but targets adult self-learners with a paid subscription rather than youth camps.
- Code.org: Largest US-based nonprofit promoting K-12 computer science education with broad curriculum reach. A scaled incumbent in the same mission space as Code+design, though operating digitally rather than via in-person camps.
- SAP Young Innovators: SAP's corporate youth STEM initiative offering workshops and programs for school students. Comparable in the employer-sponsored youth digital education niche, with broader corporate resources behind it.
Direct peers
- ReDI School of Digital Integration: Berlin-based nonprofit offering free digital and coding education with strong focus on disadvantaged populations. Comparable mission, free model, and integration of career orientation for participants.
- CoderDojo: Global volunteer-led network of free coding clubs for youth. Comparable community-led, volunteer-coach delivery model and project-based learning approach for young participants.
- Jugend hackt: Germany-based youth hackathon program for ages 12-18 run by the Open Knowledge Foundation. Directly comparable hackathon-style format, free access, and project-based learning focus targeting the same age cohort.
- Hacker School: German nonprofit running free coding camps for youth, founded by computer-science students. Closely comparable in mission, free-to-participant model, and target demographic to Code+design.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Code+design social profiles
Digital presenceCode+design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Code+design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Code+design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Code+design 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 Code+design
What does Code+design do?
Code+design provides free, project-based digital education programs for youth aged 14-21 through multi-day hackathon-style camps held in cities across the Ruhr region (Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Mülheim) and weekly online meetups via Discord. Participants learn programming, game development, web development, robotics, app development, AI/ML concepts, and design thinking under the guidance of professional coaches, with career orientation sessions connecting them to digital economy professionals.
Is Code+design a public or private company?
Code+design is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Code+design founded?
Code+design was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Code+design based?
Code+design is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Code+design make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Corporate Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are talent Pipeline Services.
Who are Code+design's main competitors?
Open HPI is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Ironhack and HABA Digitalwerkstatt. Broad incumbents are Codecademy, Code.org and SAP Young Innovators. Direct peers are ReDI School of Digital Integration, CoderDojo, Jugend hackt and Hacker School.
Does Code+design have an API?
No public API is recorded for Code+design.
What industry is Code+design in?
Code+design's product category is Youth STEM Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMALAD, Coding, Game Design & Computer Science Camps, with a secondary code of EDAMACAB, Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++). Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.