What Connect Foundation does

Connect Foundation (네이버 커넥트재단, legal entity: 재단법인 네이버커넥트) is a South Korean non-profit educational foundation established and funded by NAVER Corporation, headquartered at 246 Hwangsaeul-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, with a registered small staff (1-10 employees). Its mission is to provide free, equal-access software and AI education across K-12 students, university-age job seekers, and working professionals in Korea.

The foundation operates an integrated portfolio of educational platforms. Entry (playentry.org) is a block coding and AI-enabled creative platform embedded in Korean middle and high school national curriculum textbooks. Boostcamp Web·Mobile (launched 2016) is a developer training program with a three-tier structure (Basic/Challenge/Membership). Boostcamp AI Tech (launched 2021) is a 6-month intensive AI engineering program spanning CV, NLP, RecSys, and generative AI, supported by 94 masters and integrated with Naver Cloud GPU compute. Boostcourse is the free online IT learning platform; TechRun is the live education platform hosting Human Skills AI and AI Challenge Hae; SEF is the annual Software Edu Festival; and Khan Academy Korea delivers localized content via a partnership since 2014. Cumulative graduates total 3,100+ across Boostcamp tracks, with 851 working developer mentors and 83 partner companies (Naver, Naver Cloud, Upstage, Kakao, TVING, Snow, Lunit, etc.) supporting recruitment, with 41% of graduates hired through partner channels.

The revenue model is non-commercial: all programs are free, with no tuition, registration fees, or paid tiers, funded via NAVER Foundation grants and corporate partnerships. Distribution is online-first and self-serve, supplemented by community-led word-of-mouth and a partnership funnel that converts graduates into partner-company hires (73% employment for Web·Mobile cohorts 6-8, 45% via partner recruitment for AI Tech).

Name

Connect Foundation

Legal name

재단법인 네이버커넥트

Website

https://connect.or.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Korean non-profit foundation established by NAVER Corporation, providing free software and AI education across K-12, university students, and working professionals via Entry, Boostcamp, Boostcourse, and TechRun platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Technology

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors) (EDANAGAL)

Keywords

• Software education programs
• AI engineering training
• Block coding platform
• Developer bootcamp programs
• Online IT courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Yeoksamdong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Non-profit Education Operations: As a non-profit foundation established by Naver, Connect Foundation operates all education programs free of charge. Revenue is derived from Naver Foundation funding and partnerships with corporate sponsors for the Boostcamp programs. No commercial revenue model exists as the foundation's mission is to provide equal learning opportunities regardless of economic status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Connect Foundation is a non-profit organization established by NAVER Corporation that provides free software and AI education programs across multiple learner segments. Its portfolio includes Entry (a block-based coding platform for K-12 students), Boostcamp Web·Mobile and AI Tech (intensive developer training programs with industry mentorship), Boostcourse (online IT/MOOC courses), TechRun (live broadcast educational content), the Korean localization of Khan Academy, and AI Challenge Hae (which helps non-profit organizations adopt AI). All educational offerings are provided at no cost to participants.

Product overview

Connect Foundation (네이버 커넥트재단) is a non-profit organization established by NAVER to connect technology, experience, and people for software education. The organization operates a multi-faceted educational portfolio across K-12 and adult education: Entry and 소프트웨어야 놀자 serve K-12 students with block coding, AI, and software education; 부스트캠프 offers two tracks — Web·Mobile (2016) and AI Tech (2021) — for developer training with over 3,100 total graduates; 부스트코스 provides free online IT courses; SEF hosts annual education conferences; 칸아카데미 delivers personalized learning through Khan Academy partnership; and TechRun (with 휴먼스킬 AI, AI 챌린지 해) offers live online education programs. The ecosystem is unified by Boostcourse as the learning management system, serving learners from elementary school through career professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 부스트캠프: 개발자 양성 프로그램으로 2016년부터 시작한 웹·모바일과 2021년부터 시작한 AI Tech 트랙을 포함
• 엔트리
• 부스트코스
• 테크런
• 소프트웨어야 놀자
• SEF
• AI 챌린지 해
• 칸아카데미

Products and services

• Entry (엔트리) Entry is a block-based visual programming platform designed for K-12 students and teachers to learn software and computational thinking concepts. It is provided free of charge by Connect Foundation and is one of the most widely used coding education platforms in South Korean schools.
• Boostcamp Web·Mobile (부스트캠프 웹·모바일) Boostcamp Web·Mobile is an intensive, project-based developer training program for university students and job seekers, covering web and mobile development. It pairs learners with industry mentors and connects graduates with hiring partner companies for software engineering roles.
• Boostcamp AI Tech (부스트캠프 AI Tech) Boostcamp AI Tech is an intensive AI engineering training program covering deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and recommendation systems. It is aimed at university students and working professionals seeking AI/ML engineering careers and includes mentorship and recruitment support.
• Boostcourse (부스트코스) Boostcourse is an open online course platform providing free IT, programming, and software education courses (MOOCs) for learners including students, working professionals, and the general public.
• TechRun (테크런) TechRun is a live educational broadcasting program delivering software and AI learning content through online livestreams aimed at general learners and developers.
• Softwareya Nolja (소프트웨어야 놀자) Softwareya Nolja is a public software education festival/event offering hands-on software learning experiences for the general public, including families and youth, with free participation.
• AI Challenge Hae (AI 챌린지 해) AI Challenge Hae is a program where AI engineers partner with non-profit and social-purpose organizations to develop AI-based solutions that address social and operational challenges faced by those organizations.
• Khan Academy Korean Service Khan Academy Korean Service is the Korean-language localized version of Khan Academy's free educational content, provided under a partnership between Connect Foundation and Khan Academy for Korean learners.
• SEF (Software Edu Festival) SEF (Software Edu Festival) is a software education festival/program delivering accessible software learning events and resources for the public.
• Teachers Lab (티처즈랩) Teachers Lab is a teacher training program that supports K-12 educators in delivering software and AI education in classrooms, including curriculum support and professional development.
• Boostcamp AI Tech Pre-Course Boostcamp AI Tech Pre-Course is a free preparatory learning track that helps prospective participants build foundational math and Python skills before entering the main Boostcamp AI Tech program.
• Boostcamp Basic (부스트캠프 베이직) Boostcamp Basic is a foundational developer training program newly added in 2024, aimed at learners beginning their software engineering journey with introductory content.
• Human Skills AI (인간역량 AI) Human Skills AI is a 2024 program focused on developing human capabilities and soft skills needed in an AI-driven era, complementing the foundation's technical AI training offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% employment rate for Web·Mobile graduates within 6 months (cohorts 6-8)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability12 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Seoul National University (서울대학교)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Naver Connect Foundation signed MOU with Seoul National University on May 26, 2026 for AI talent cultivation and education ecosystem expansion. The partnership combines SNU's AI/SW education capabilities with the foundation's nationwide talent network to develop future AI professionals.
• Naver Cloud (네이버 클라우드)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides GPU computing resources to support AI Tech training. Partners on company days for recruitment and hackathons. Naver Cloud provides high-performance computing resources for deep learning tasks during the 6-month AI Tech program.
• Upstage (업스테이지)coreTechnology or IntegrationAI company providing master mentors for curriculum design and instruction. CEO Kim Seong-hoon and CTO Lee Hwal-seok serve as AI Tech program masters. Contributes to curriculum updates, special lectures, and enterprise hackathons.
• 83 Partner Companies (84개 기업)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompanies including Naver, Naver Cloud, Kakao, Kakao Enterprise, Upstage, Snow, TVING, Lunit, Riiid, and 75+ others collaborate on AI Tech education and recruitment. Partners provide curriculum input, company days, hackathons, and direct hiring opportunities. Accumulated 83 companies with 41% of graduates hired through partner recruitment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Coursera is a global online education platform partnering with universities and companies to offer courses, certificates, and degrees across many fields including AI and software. Broader and more diversified than Connect Foundation, but overlaps on the AI/developer upskilling segment where it competes for the same Korean learners.
• edX: edX is a university-affiliated online learning platform offering courses and credentials across STEM, including AI and computer science. Similar to Connect Foundation's university partnership angle (e.g., SNU MOU), and competes in the same Korean professional upskilling market at the university-credential level.

Direct peers

• Code.org: Code.org is a non-profit focused on expanding access to computer science in K-12 schools, with strong curricular integration similar to Connect Foundation's Entry platform in Korean textbooks. Both compete to define national K-12 coding standards and train teachers.
• Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a non-profit free online education platform that is Connect Foundation's actual partner for Korean content localization. It is the most direct comparable — both operate free, mission-driven learning platforms with global reach and volunteer-driven content production.
• Fastcampus (패스트캠퍼스): Fastcampus is a leading Korean online education platform specializing in IT, developer, and data/AI bootcamps. It directly competes with Boostcamp Web·Mobile and AI Tech for the same Korean developer upskilling segment and overlaps with Boostcourse on online IT course offerings.
• Le Wagon: Le Wagon is a global coding bootcamp with intensive 9- to 24-week curricula covering web development and data science. Comparable to Boostcamp Web·Mobile in duration, hands-on teaching style, and focus on practical, employable developer skills.
• Inflearn (인프런): Inflearn is Korea's largest online IT/dev education marketplace, offering creator-led courses in web, mobile, AI, and data. Directly comparable to Boostcourse and a primary alternative for Korean learners seeking free or paid IT upskilling outside Boostcamp.
• General Assembly: General Assembly runs immersive bootcamps in software engineering, data, and AI with strong employer hiring networks — directly mirroring Boostcamp's job-outcome-driven curriculum and partner-company recruitment model. Comparable in learner segment, duration, and outcome orientation.
• Scratch Foundation: Scratch Foundation operates the MIT-developed block-based programming platform for K-12 creative coding — the closest global analogue to Connect Foundation's Entry platform in product category, learner segment (K-12), and mission of free creative-coding education for all children.
• Udacity: Udacity offers intensive, project-based 'Nanodegree' programs in AI, data science, and web/mobile development — closely mirroring Boostcamp's structured curriculum-plus-mentor model. Comparable in target learner (career-changers and developers) and curriculum philosophy (project + mentor over lecture).

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/naverconnect_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connects-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Connect Foundation