The Loop Lab
The Loop Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce intermediary that recruits, trains, and places opportunity youth ages 16-26 into audiovisual technology and creative media careers through paid apprenticeships in the Boston area, with a national replication model via curriculum licensing and workforce exchange.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Loop Lab does
The Loop Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce intermediary founded in 2017 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The organization recruits, trains, credentiales, and places opportunity youth, ages 16 to 26, into careers in audiovisual technology and creative media production, then tracks outcomes for five years. Its core delivery surface is the Loop Lab Academy, which comprises three direct-service programs: the Media Arts Apprenticeship (MAA), the AV Apprenticeship (a 2,000-hour on-the-job training pathway aligned with AVIXA's Certified Technology Specialist credential), and the High School Pre-Apprenticeship, delivered with public schools including Tech Boston Academy and Cambridge Rindge & Latin School. Programs are free to participants and include paid on-the-job training hours.
The organization's business model is a mix of foundation grants and charitable donations, with all participant-facing services offered at no cost. The Loop Lab operates two physical sites—an admin office at 89 South Street in Boston and a training studio at 301 Binney Street in Cambridge—and works with employer partners who co-shape curriculum from design through placement. Strategic brand partners include Audible (a co-production partner) and AVIXA (the global AV trade body providing industry-validated curriculum). Revenue diversification is supported by an annual Loop Dreams fundraiser, which grew from $55,000 in 2024 to $170,000 in 2025.
Beyond direct service, The Loop Lab is building a replication stack to scale the intermediary model nationally. Curriculum Licensing, a Workforce Exchange connecting apprentices, alumni, and employers across cities, and a Train-the-Trainer (T3) program allow partner organizations to launch the model in their own communities. Active or imminent replication partners include Tech Foundry (Springfield, MA), REEL Works (Brooklyn, NY), and Reimagine ATL (Atlanta, GA). The organization is also developing an AI Initiatives sub-product to integrate responsible AI skills into learning pathways and to support internal mentorship, tracking, and employer connection.
The Loop Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Loop Lab
- Legal name
- The Loop Lab
- Website
- https://thelooplab.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Loop Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce intermediary that recruits, trains, and places opportunity youth ages 16-26 into audiovisual technology and creative media careers through paid apprenticeships in the Boston area, with a national replication model via curriculum licensing and workforce exchange.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Loop Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development / Creative Technology Apprenticeship Training
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)
Keywords
Where The Loop Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Loop Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Grant Funding and Charitable Donations: The Loop Lab operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Revenue is generated through grant funding from foundations and charitable donations. Funders include The Clermont Foundation, A.C. Ratshesky Foundation, 1434 Foundation, John & Naomi Tomtohrde Foundation, Johnson Family Foundation, Cummings Foundation, and NBC Universal. Donations are accepted via givebutter.com.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free training programs for opportunity youth |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Loop Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Loop Lab is a Boston-based workforce intermediary that recruits, trains, credentials, and places opportunity youth ages 16–26 facing systemic barriers into paid apprenticeships in audiovisual technology and creative media production. Core programs include the Media Arts Apprenticeship (MAA), a 2,000 OJT-hour AV Apprenticeship (with AVIXA-aligned curriculum preparing apprentices for the CTS credential), and a High School Pre-Apprenticeship, all offered free to participants with paid on-the-job training at employer partner sites. The organization also expands nationally through Curriculum Licensing, Workforce Exchange, and Train-the-Trainer (T3) programs, and tracks graduate outcomes longitudinally for five years.
Product overview
The Loop Lab is a Boston-based workforce intermediary offering a portfolio of creative technology training programs and services. The core offerings include the Media Arts Apprenticeship (MAA) Program, AV Apprenticeship Program, and High School Pre-Apprenticeship Program, which provide paid, hands-on training in media production and audiovisual technology. The organization also offers network expansion services including Curriculum Licensing, Workforce Exchange, and Train-the-Trainer (T3) programs for organizations wanting to replicate the model nationally. AI Initiatives integrates responsible AI skills into learning pathways. Loop Dreams is an annual fundraising event celebrating the creative community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Media Arts Apprenticeship (MAA) Program Paid, hands-on apprenticeship program for opportunity youth ages 16-26 that prepares participants for careers in media production and creative technology. Includes training in audio/video skills, professional portfolio building, and industry networking, with employer partners shaping curriculum.
- AV Apprenticeship Program A 2,000 OJT-hour pathway into the audiovisual industry. Apprentices learn on real equipment, prepare for CTS certification administered via AVIXA, and move into job-site placements supported by employer partners.
- High School Pre-Apprenticeship Program Early exposure program delivered with high school partners across Greater Boston. Exploratory curriculum builds foundational creative technology skills and introduces young people to media arts career and college pathways.
- AI Initiatives Program offering that prepares apprentices for an AI-enabled workforce by integrating responsible AI skills into learning pathways and building internal tools that improve mentorship, outcomes tracking, and employer connection.
- Curriculum Licensing B2B offering that allows organizations to license Loop Lab curriculum to launch creative technology apprenticeship pathways in their own communities, supported by proven frameworks and ongoing guidance.
- Workforce Exchange National network service connecting apprentices, alumni, and employers across cities, creating shared hiring opportunities and cross-regional talent mobility.
- Train-the-Trainer (T3) Professional development offering for educators and workforce leaders who want to deliver apprenticeship-based learning aligned with industry needs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% program completion rate across all apprentices
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Loop Lab
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Loop Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Loop Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AVIXAcoreAVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) is the global trade body for the AV industry. The Loop Lab's AV Apprenticeship curriculum is built in official partnership with AVIXA, providing industry-designed, industry-validated training. The program prepares participants for the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) exam administered by AVIXA.
- Tech FoundrycoreTech Foundry in Springfield, Massachusetts hosts The Loop Lab's AV pilot program, including exploratory AV training, mentorship, and on-site industry immersion using a Train-the-Trainer model that brings young adults from partner organizations directly into the AV ecosystem.
- REEL WorksminorBuilding out AV programming in Brooklyn with REEL Works, bringing Loop Lab's apprenticeship model into New York's vibrant creative youth community. Details and timelines expected in fall 2026.
- Reimagine ATLminorPartnership with Reimagine ATL to bring AV apprenticeship programming to Atlanta, Georgia. More details on programming and timelines coming in fall 2026.
- Lesley University's College of Art and DesignminorThrough partnerships with institutions like Lesley University's College of Art and Design, high school pre-apprenticeship students may earn college credits, easing their transition into degree programs.
- EdVestors: BPS Arts ExpansionminorPartnership with EdVestors: BPS Arts Expansion enables pre-apprenticeship program delivery at Tech Boston Academy and Cambridge Rindge & Latin School across Greater Boston.
- AudiblecoreAudible's partnership with The Loop Lab includes production of a video series called 'A Dialogue with Audible,' co-produced by Media Arts apprentices. This series highlights social issues students face, fostering important conversations and promoting awareness through impactful storytelling. Multiple cohorts participated.
- GBHminorGBH hosted the inaugural Loop Dreams 2024 event and provided volunteers. Managing editor Lee Hill co-hosted both Loop Dreams 2024 and 2025 events.
- State StreetminorState Street volunteers helped make Loop Dreams 2024 and 2025 events run smoothly. State Street Headquarters hosted Loop Dreams 2025.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves14 records
Expansion highlights13 records
The Loop Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Year Up: A leading U.S. workforce intermediary serving opportunity youth (ages 18-26) with paid training and corporate placement. Most directly comparable to The Loop Lab in mission, target population, apprenticeship-style model, and 5-year outcome tracking, though Year Up operates across multiple industries rather than specializing in AV/creative tech.
- Genesys Works: Workforce intermediary that connects underserved high school students to corporate internships and career pathways. Comparable in serving opportunity youth, paid work-based learning, employer co-design of curriculum, and longitudinal outcomes reporting.
- LaunchCode: Nonprofit offering free technology training and job placement with focus on nontraditional talent. Comparable free tuition model, apprenticeship-style paid training pathways, and employer-driven curriculum design in adjacent technology verticals.
- Braven: Nonprofit partnering with universities and employers to prepare opportunity youth for career-launching jobs. Comparable mission, target population, and outcomes-tracking approach; differs in academic-institution partnership model.
- Café Momentum: Nonprofit workforce development program for opportunity youth, focused on culinary and hospitality training with paid apprenticeship. Comparable mission of workforce intermediation for system-impacted young people, paid training model, and outcomes-tracking approach.
- Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing free technical training and career pathways to adults from underserved communities. Closely comparable business model (free tuition, employer-aligned curriculum, outcomes tracking, national replication), with overlap in connecting opportunity youth/ adults to skilled careers.
- Reel Works: Brooklyn-based nonprofit providing free media arts training and apprenticeship pathways for underserved youth. Directly comparable in creative-media/AV curriculum focus, target population (opportunity youth), paid apprenticeship model, and is also a current The Loop Lab national expansion partner.
- SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity): Nonprofit providing career development and internship programs to underrepresented students. Comparable in preparing opportunity youth for professional careers, paid training structure, and employer-network approach.
- NPower: Nonprofit workforce development organization offering free technology training and job placement for veterans and underrepresented youth. Comparable in apprenticeship-style tech training, employer partnership model, and free-to-participant structure.
Others
- AVIXA: Global trade association for the audiovisual industry and administrator of the CTS credential. Not a direct competitor but a critical standards-setter and curriculum partner for The Loop Lab's AV Apprenticeship, making the organizations tightly coupled ecosystem participants.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Loop Lab social profiles
Digital presenceThe Loop Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Loop Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Loop Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Loop Lab 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 The Loop Lab
What does The Loop Lab do?
The Loop Lab is a Boston-based workforce intermediary that recruits, trains, credentials, and places opportunity youth ages 16–26 facing systemic barriers into paid apprenticeships in audiovisual technology and creative media production. Core programs include the Media Arts Apprenticeship (MAA), a 2,000 OJT-hour AV Apprenticeship (with AVIXA-aligned curriculum preparing apprentices for the CTS credential), and a High School Pre-Apprenticeship, all offered free to participants with paid on-the-job training at employer partner sites. The organization also expands nationally through Curriculum Licensing, Workforce Exchange, and Train-the-Trainer (T3) programs, and tracks graduate outcomes longitudinally for five years.
Is The Loop Lab a public or private company?
The Loop Lab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Loop Lab founded?
The Loop Lab was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Loop Lab based?
The Loop Lab is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Loop Lab make money?
One revenue line is on record: grant Funding and Charitable Donations.
Who are The Loop Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Year Up, Genesys Works, LaunchCode, Braven, Café Momentum, Per Scholas, Reel Works, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) and NPower. AVIXA is listed as an others.
Does The Loop Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Loop Lab.
What industry is The Loop Lab in?
The Loop Lab's product category is Workforce Development / Creative Technology Apprenticeship Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAOAC, Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning, with a secondary code of EDAMAKAL, Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs. Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 7361.