What Learn Fresh does

Learn Fresh Education Co. is a Philadelphia-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in Cleveland in Fall 2013 by CEO Nick Monzi and Chief Mission Officer Calvin Sibert. The organization develops sports-themed STEM education programs that combine physical board games, mobile applications (iOS and Android) and classroom curricula leveraging real statistics from professional athletes across partnerships with the NBA, WNBA, MLB Players Trust, and MLS. Flagship product NBA Math Hoops serves students in grades 3-8 with math fluency and social-emotional learning, augmented by MLB Players STEM League (launched 2022), MLS STEM Goals (2024), the Youth Assist Tracker Challenge, and EcoTour (environmental/financial literacy through music-industry tour planning).

The business model is philanthropic rather than commercial: all programs are provided free to educators, schools and after-school programs, funded through corporate sponsorships (AT&T, Chevron, Hasbro, Boeing, AMETEK, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Getty Images), foundation grants (Longwood Foundation, Truist Foundation, Overdeck Family Foundation, STEM Next Opportunity Fund), and individual donations. Distribution is partnership-driven: 30+ professional sports teams co-brand regional implementations, host championship events at league venues (NBA Draft week, MLB All-Star Week), and provide athlete participation. The organization has scaled to over 1.4 million cumulative students and 12,000 trained educators, with 93% of partnered programs serving low-income communities and documented outcome improvements of 29-35% on math fluency assessments.

Internationally, programs have been implemented in at least nine countries including Australia (via North Melbourne Football Club's The Huddle), South Africa (NBA Africa/Boys and Girls Clubs), Colombia (Project Beisbol), Bahamas, Japan, Korea, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. The technology stack is conventional: board games, mobile apps developed with Clevyr, and a Learn Fresh Coaches Association program management platform. Core competitive moats are league-level licensing access to real player statistics, a 30+ team distribution network, and a 1.4M-student brand built over more than a decade.

Name

Learn Fresh

Legal name

Learn Fresh Education Co.

Website

https://learnfresh.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Learn Fresh is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, sports-themed STEM education programs—including NBA Math Hoops, MLB Players STEM League, and MLS STEM Goals—to over 1.4 million students via partnerships with 30+ professional sports teams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM Competitions & Olympiads (Science Bowls, STEM Challenges) (EDAMABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

School-Based Math Clubs & League Programs (EDAMAEAI), Sports Combine, Tryout & Showcase Programs (MPAKAJAM), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Sports-themed learning
• Math fluency curriculum
• Nonprofit education services
• Social-emotional learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Learn Fresh operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Programs are provided free of charge to students, educators, and schools. Cost per participant is stated as less than $10.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor specific programs, events, and regional implementations. Partners include AT&T, Chevron, Hasbro, Getty Images, and numerous professional sports teams and leagues who provide funding and in-kind support.
3. Foundation Grants: Learn Fresh receives grants from foundations including Longwood Foundation ($350,000 over two years), Truist Foundation ($10,000), STEM Next Opportunity Fund, and Overdeck Family Foundation to support program development and expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Learn Fresh designs and distributes sports-themed STEM education programs, delivered as physical board games, mobile apps, classroom curricula, and championship events, that combine real professional sports league data (NBA/WNBA, MLB, MLS) with math and social-emotional learning. Programs are provided free of charge to students, educators, schools, and after-school providers, with the organization funded primarily through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donations.

Product overview

Learn Fresh offers a suite of sports-themed STEM education programs designed to engage students through their passion for sports and entertainment. The core products include NBA Math Hoops (basketball-based math learning with board game and mobile app), MLB Players STEM League (baseball-inspired math curriculum), and MLS STEM Goals (soccer-based STEM program with sustainability focus). Additional offerings include the Youth Assist Tracker Challenge and EcoTour (environmental/financial literacy through music industry simulation). Programs feature physical board games, digital applications (including mobile apps on iOS and Android), classroom curricula, and community championship events. The NBA Math Hoops app was developed in partnership with Clevyr and is available free on mobile devices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NBA Math Hoops: Flagship basketball-themed STEM education program featuring board game, mobile app, and curriculum for grades 3-8 that teaches math through basketball statistics.
• MLB Players STEM League
• MLS STEM Goals
• Youth Assist Tracker Challenge
• EcoTour
• Fresh Perspectives Podcast

Products and services

• NBA Math Hoops NBA Math Hoops is Learn Fresh's flagship STEM education program for students in grades 3-8 that uses a basketball-themed board game, mobile app, and standards-aligned curriculum to teach math and social-emotional skills through real NBA and WNBA player statistics. The program serves over 250,000 students annually and has reached over 750,000 students in partnership with 27 NBA and WNBA teams, with programs provided free to schools and educators.
• NBA Math Hoops Mobile App The NBA Math Hoops Mobile App is the digital companion to the NBA Math Hoops board game, replicating the core gameplay on Android and iOS devices and available for free download on both platforms. It allows students to engage with the program outside of physical board game sessions and is part of the broader NBA Math Hoops program offering.
• MLB Players STEM League MLB Players STEM League is a baseball-inspired STEM education program for middle school youth that combines a board game and standards-aligned (Common Core) curriculum to build math and social-emotional skills using real MLB player statistics. It was launched in partnership with MLB Players Trust and includes an annual Global Championship during MLB All-Star Week.
• MLS STEM Goals MLS STEM Goals is a soccer-based STEM education program targeting grades 4-8 that uses a board game and standards-aligned questions across STEM disciplines with a focus on sustainability and renewable energy. The program is delivered in partnership with MLS teams and is provided free to educators and schools.
• Youth Assist Tracker Challenge Youth Assist Tracker Challenge is a STEAM learning challenge tied to the NBA Cares State Farm Assist Tracker, in which students and educators compete for grant funds by completing STEAM learning challenges. The program has awarded more than $3.2 million to schools and out-of-school time programs in 87 communities, impacting over 425,000 youth.
• EcoTour EcoTour is a Learn Fresh STEAM board game that engages students in financial and environmental literacy by having them design and plan a North American tour for a musical artist, incorporating route selection, creative design, budgeting, and environmental and financial literacy.
• NBA Math Hoops Live NBA Math Hoops Live is a physical activity edition of the NBA Math Hoops program in which an actual basketball court is transformed into a game board, allowing students to complete math problems before guiding NBA and WNBA players on the court. The format is delivered through Live Kits funded by GameChanger and distributed to 50 educational sites nationwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35% gains on foundational math fluency assessment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NBA and NBA CarescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partnership with the NBA providing brand licensing, player statistics access, and co-hosting of the NBA Math Hoops Global Championship at NBA headquarters. NBA Cares co-hosts annual championships during NBA Draft week.
• WNBAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing WNBA player statistics and brand licensing for the NBA Math Hoops program.
• NBPA (National Basketball Players Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting NBA Math Hoops program development and player participation.
• MLB Players TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched MLB Players STEM League partnership in 2022. Hosts annual Global Championship during MLB All-Star Week. Features MLB player statistics from players across all countries represented in Major League Baseball.
• AT&TmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommitted $250,000 to Learn Fresh for expanded development of NBA Math Hoops mobile app. Sponsor of Seattle Storm Math Hoops program.
• ChevronmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate sponsor supporting New Orleans Pelicans Math Hoops and Houston Rockets Math Hoops programs. Funded tournament activations in Louisiana and Texas.
• HasbromajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner providing product development support for NBA Math Hoops board game. Featured at championship events with product activations.
• Getty ImagesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner supporting NBA Math Hoops program with visual assets and content licensing.
• BoeingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered to host 2025 MLB Players STEM League Regional Tournament in Philadelphia at TGR Learning Lab. Supporting STEM education expansion in greater Philadelphia region.
• First Tech Federal Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst-of-its-kind partnership to sponsor NBA Math Hoops and MLS STEM Goals programs in Portland in collaboration with Trail Blazers, Timbers, and Thorns sports teams.
• GameChangermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring 50 Math Hoops Live Kits to educational sites nationwide. Funded physical activity edition of NBA Math Hoops program for 50 schools.
• Philadelphia 76ers and Sixers Youth FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosted 2022 NBA Math Hoops National Championship. Sixers Math Hoops is the largest and most thoroughly supported regional initiative with over 40,000 students at 350 sites.
• Golden State WarriorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted inaugural NBA Math Hoops National Championship in 2017 in Bay Area. Continuing partnership supporting Warriors Math Hoops program.
• Sacramento Kings and NBC SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKings Math Hoops presented by NBC Sports program. Hosted Black History Month events and career conversations at Golden 1 Center.
• Detroit PistonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted 2018 NBA Math Hoops National Championship in Detroit. Pistons Math Hoops presented by Flagstar Bank with Michigan Science Center partnerships.
• Charlotte HornetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTipped off partnership in 2022 to bring NBA Math Hoops to students across Charlotte, North Carolina. Served 1,950 students and 43 educators in first year.
• AMETEKmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored 2023 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship. Joined forces to launch EcoTour pilot program with Phantom high-speed camera demonstrations.
• Project BeisbolmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to expand MLB Players STEM League to Colombia with championship tournaments in Bogotá and Cúcuta.
• The Huddle (North Melbourne Football Club)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity arm of North Melbourne Football Club in Australia implementing NBA Math Hoops since 2021. Students represented Australia at 2023 Global Championship.
• NBA AfricamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBA Africa initiative implementing NBA Math Hoops in Johannesburg, South Africa through Boys and Girls Clubs of South Africa partnership.
• Hewlett PackardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Learn Fresh programs.
• SalesforceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Learn Fresh programs.
• Shelden Williams FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launched NBA Math Hoops in Atlanta Public Schools for 2021-22 season.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Code.org: Large national nonprofit providing free K-12 computer science curriculum with major corporate and foundation funding. Comparable as a large K-12 STEM education nonprofit competing for the same foundation, corporate, and individual donor pools.
• Project Lead the Way: National nonprofit providing STEM curriculum and teacher training for K-12 schools across multiple disciplines. Comparable as a K-12 STEM curriculum nonprofit operating through school district partnerships, though broader in curriculum scope.
• Khan Academy: Large free online education platform covering math and STEM for K-12 with major foundation and corporate backing. Comparable as a free K-12 STEM educational platform, but a broad digital incumbent rather than a sports-themed niche player.

Direct peers

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): Nonprofit running STEM competitions (FIRST Robotics, FIRST LEGO League) for K-12 students with culminating championship events. Comparable as a K-12 STEM competition operator with league-style regional-to-global structure and significant corporate sponsorship.
• Science Olympiad: National STEM competition nonprofit running team-based science tournaments across K-12 with invitational and national championships. Comparable as a structured STEM competition provider targeting school teams with culminating championship events.
• MIND Research Institute: Nonprofit that delivers visual math game-based learning programs to K-8 students through school partnerships. Comparable as a math-focused educational nonprofit using game-based instructional content and targeting underserved student populations.
• MATHCOUNTS Foundation: National nonprofit that runs school-based math club and competition programs for middle school students, with a national championship structure. Highly comparable to Learn Fresh's NBA Math Hoops league model, target grade band, and tournament-based engagement strategy.

Emerging players

• Legends of Learning: Game-based K-8 science and math platform used in classrooms with curated curriculum-aligned content. Comparable as a game-based STEM instructional product for schools, but without the sports-league partnership or championship tournament layer.
• Prodigy Education: Game-based math learning platform for grades 1-8 with a freemium mobile/web product reaching millions of students. Comparable as a K-8 math game-based learning product, though commercial rather than nonprofit and without sports-themed league structure.

Others

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit operating after-school programs where Learn Fresh is implemented as a curriculum partner. Not a direct competitor but a key distribution channel and customer relationship, evidenced by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Peeria and other clubs cited as implementation sites.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/learn_fresh
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/learnfresh
• Facebookfacebook.com/learnfresh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/learnfresh
• Instagraminstagram.com/learn_fresh

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Learn Fresh