Innovative Learning Center

What Innovative Learning Center does

Innovative Learning Center (ILC) is a privately held, bootstrapped STEM education evaluation and research consulting firm founded in 2003 by Dr. Angelicque Tucker Blackmon and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with a secondary office in Chicago, Illinois. The firm operates as a knowledge enterprise delivering independent third-party program evaluation, research design, and data analytics services to federally funded programs (including 13 NSF ATE programs), universities and research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Its service portfolio spans program evaluation consulting, human subjects compliance consulting, dashboard development using Power BI, Tableau, and Excel, AI-powered data storytelling, impact and sustainability consulting, and a Student Learning sub-brand offering tutoring, STEM enrichment, and individual assessments for families. The firm reports 30+ completed evaluation engagements, $26M+ in client funding supported, and a team of 11–50 including Ph.D.-level evaluators and statisticians.

The firm's technical stack combines human-centered and culturally responsive evaluation methodologies (appreciative inquiry, ethnographic research, mixed-methods design) with an AI-powered data storytelling layer that converts evaluation findings into multi-format visualizations and narrative reports. Digital products including templates, toolkits, and assessment instruments are sold through a Stripe-powered Client Portal, while professional services are delivered through individualized service agreements following a Client Application Form intake and free consultation workflow. Recent product launches in 2025 — the Proposal Enhancement Center, Grant Readiness Assessment, and Independent Grant Proposal Audit Services — extend the offering upstream into pre-award grant advisory. The firm markets through a content-led approach: an active blog, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook presence, and a sales-led motion targeting grant-funded programs, with a newly opened Sales Associate role signaling outbound expansion.

Name

Innovative Learning Center

Legal name

Innovative Learning Center, LLC

Website

https://ilearningcenter.education

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Innovative Learning Center is a private STEM education evaluation and research consulting firm founded in 2003, serving federally funded programs, universities, and nonprofits with independent program evaluation, AI-powered data storytelling, dashboard development, and grant readiness services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Research and Evaluation Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (61171), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional & Program Analytics (Enrollment, Retention, Outcomes) (EDAFAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Curriculum & Instruction Effectiveness Analytics (Content Efficacy, A/B Testing) (EDAFAFAH), Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG), Adaptive/Personalized Digital Learning Content (EDAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Program evaluation consulting
• STEM education research
• Grant proposal services
• Data storytelling analytics
• Human subjects compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Services — Evaluation & Research Consulting: Custom evaluation consulting, independent third-party program evaluation, research design, and data analysis services delivered through individual service agreements. Services include program evaluation consulting, grant proposal readiness, human subjects compliance consulting, dashboard development, impact & sustainability consulting, and AI-powered data storytelling. Engagement scopes and timelines are outlined in proposals or service agreements prior to purchase.
2. Digital Products — Templates, Toolkits & Assessment Instruments: Digital downloadable products including templates, toolkits, and assessment instruments sold as one-time purchases through the Client Portal. Customers receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable license for internal organizational use. Payment is processed through Stripe. No refunds are offered on digital products once accessed or downloaded.
3. Coaching & Consultation Sessions: Consulting and coaching sessions scheduled via email or phone, with a minimum 24-hour notice required for cancellation or rescheduling. Sessions are billed according to terms outlined in individual service agreements. The company also offers free initial consultations to prospects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Innovative Learning Center provides independent program evaluation, research design, and data analytics services for STEM education programs, with specialized support for NSF ATE and federally funded initiatives. The firm also delivers AI-powered data storytelling, dashboard development, grant proposal readiness, human subjects compliance consulting, and impact and sustainability planning, serving universities, community colleges, nonprofits, and government agencies. Digital products including templates, toolkits, and assessment instruments are sold through its Client Portal, and individual student assessments and tutoring services are offered through its Student Learning sub-brand.

Product overview

Innovative Learning Center is a private knowledge enterprise offering a comprehensive suite of educational evaluation, research, and learning services. The core portfolio centers on four interconnected service pillars: (1) Program Evaluation Consulting for federally funded STEM programs, (2) AI-Powered Data Storytelling Services for transforming evaluation data into visual narratives, (3) Dashboard Development using Power BI, Tableau, and Excel for performance monitoring, and (4) Grant Proposal Readiness services including the Proposal Enhancement Center, Grant Proposal Audit Services, and Grant Readiness Assessment. Supporting services include Human Subjects Compliance Consulting, Impact & Sustainability Consulting, Individual Assessments, and Student Learning Programs. The company also offers Digital Products including templates, toolkits, and assessment instruments. The services work together within an integrated framework from proposal development through evaluation planning, compliance, reporting, and sustainability strategy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Student Learning: A separate site for tutoring, STEM programs, and student assessments under the Innovative Learning Center umbrella.

Products and services

• Program Evaluation Consulting Comprehensive evaluation strategy development and outcomes assessment planning for federally funded programs, STEM initiatives, and research institutions, helping organizations strengthen accountability and measure long-term impact through logic models, mixed-methods research, and outcome frameworks.
• AI-Powered Data Storytelling Services Service that uses AI to transform complex evaluation data into clear, compelling reports, visual narratives, dashboards, and funder-ready impact communications that engage stakeholders and demonstrate outcomes through charts, geospatial maps, heatmaps, radar charts, and other visualizations.
• Dashboard Development Services Custom dashboard development including KPI tracking, reporting automation, and performance monitoring systems using Power BI, Tableau, and Excel for program performance, grant tracking, and executive reporting across small, mid-sized, and enterprise organizations.
• Human Subjects Compliance Consulting Regulatory compliance support for ethical research including IRB preparation, participant protections, compliance monitoring, and research documentation aligned with federal requirements for federally funded programs and academic research institutions.
• Proposal Enhancement Center Strategic grant proposal readiness consulting that strengthens proposal quality through narrative refinement, outcome alignment verification, logic flow assessment, and competitiveness analysis before submission, serving grant-seeking organizations across STEM and education sectors.
• Grant Proposal Audit Services Independent third-party evaluation of grant applications before submission, identifying compliance issues, scoring risks, narrative weaknesses, and funding readiness concerns for grant-seeking organizations.
• Grant Readiness Assessment Comprehensive evaluation of organizational elements influencing funding success, assessing internal capabilities, systems, and processes to determine preparedness to pursue and manage grants across STEM education and nonprofit organizations.
• Impact & Sustainability Consulting Sustainability planning for grant-funded programs including strategic impact planning, funding continuity strategies, and long-term program viability strengthening across STEM education, workforce, and nonprofit programs.
• Digital Products Downloadable templates, toolkits, assessment instruments, and other digital resources for internal organizational use in evaluation, research, and program management, sold as one-time purchases through the Client Portal with non-exclusive, non-transferable licensing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $26 million in funding secured for clients through customized and culturally responsive evaluations
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WestEd: Nonprofit education research and evaluation firm providing program evaluation, technical assistance, and policy research to federal agencies, states, and districts. Directly comparable in evaluation methodology, federal STEM focus, and institutional client base.
• ETR Associates: Nonprofit providing research, evaluation, and professional development in education, health, and equity-focused STEM programs. Direct peer in mission-driven evaluation, federal funding alignment, and culturally responsive research approaches.
• Education Development Center (EDC): Global nonprofit that designs, delivers, and evaluates programs in education, health, and workforce. Direct peer in STEM program evaluation, federal grant-funded work, and applied research for community colleges.
• Branch Associates: Evaluation consulting firm specializing in STEM education program evaluation, NSF ATE projects, and federally funded workforce initiatives. Closely comparable in niche focus, methodology, and client base.
• The Discovery Group: Boutique evaluation firm providing program evaluation, outcomes measurement, and research services to education and nonprofit clients. Closely comparable firm size, service offering, and client base to ILC.

Broad incumbents

• Abt Associates: Research and consulting firm conducting large-scale federal program evaluations across education, health, and workforce domains. Comparable in federal contract evaluation work but at significantly larger scale.
• RAND Corporation: Large research institution conducting policy research and program evaluation across education, workforce, and STEM. Overlaps with ILC in education evaluation but at far greater scale and with a broader portfolio.
• SRI International: Independent R&D organization conducting program evaluation, education research, and applied data analytics for federal agencies and foundations. Comparable in STEM education evaluation and federally funded program support.
• American Institutes for Research (AIR): Large nonprofit behavioral and social science research organization conducting education program evaluation, policy analysis, and technical assistance for federal agencies. Direct overlap in federal education evaluation but at much larger scale.
• Mathematica: Major policy research and evaluation firm conducting large-scale federal program evaluations across education, health, and workforce. Comparable in federal evaluation focus but operates at significantly larger scale and scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/evaluation_ilearncenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/ilearningcenter.education
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innovative-learning-center-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/ilearningcenter/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Innovative Learning Center