AIA Silicon Valley
AIA Silicon Valley is a non-profit professional membership chapter of the American Institute of Architects serving 500+ architects and design professionals in Santa Clara County through membership, continuing education, advocacy, and signature events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1955
- HeadquartersSan Jose, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AIA Silicon Valley does
AIA Silicon Valley is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional membership organization and local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, serving architects and allied design professionals in Santa Clara County, California. Incorporated on August 10, 1955, the chapter is governed by an elected Board of Directors and operates with a lean staff of 2-5, led by Executive Director Kristen Werner since 2020. It maintains an active membership of approximately 500 architects, associates, and professional affiliates, and connects to a broader email distribution of 3,000+ design professionals and the national AIA network of 95,000+ members.
The chapter's core product is its membership program, delivered through a tri-level structure requiring local, state (AIA California), and national (AIA) enrollment. Members access continuing education programs offering LUs, HSW, GBCI, and RIBA credits essential for licensure renewal; networking through 12+ committees including Women in Architecture and Committee on the Environment; advocacy at state and local government levels; AIA Contract Documents; and signature events including the biennial Architectural Intelligence Conference, Design Awards, Home Tours, and annual Golf Tournament. Its technology stack is described as a standard professional association management platform handling membership, events, and continuing education administration — no proprietary AI or differentiated technical capabilities are disclosed.
The chapter's revenue model is diversified across membership dues, a tiered Sustaining Partners sponsorship program (Premier $10,000 through Chapter Meeting $1,500), Firm Luminary sponsorships at $2,500, individual event sponsorships ($250-$7,000 tiers across Golf Tournament, Home Tours, and the Architectural Intelligence Conference), a $500 third-party continuing education event submission fee, and ticketed event revenue. Marketing is conducted via the chapter website (125,000 annual visitors), a weekly email newsletter, social media (Women in Architecture Instagram), and the chapter's signature in-person events, which collectively function as the primary go-to-market and member engagement channels.
AIA Silicon Valley firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AIA Silicon Valley
- Legal name
- AIA Silicon Valley Chapter
- Website
- https://aiasiliconvalley.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1955
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AIA Silicon Valley is a non-profit professional membership chapter of the American Institute of Architects serving 500+ architects and design professionals in Santa Clara County through membership, continuing education, advocacy, and signature events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AIA Silicon Valley is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Jose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AIA Silicon Valley business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from architect, associate, professional affiliate, and student members. Architect and associate members also require national and state level AIA membership.
- Sponsorships: Sustaining Partner program with tiered sponsorship levels (Premier $10,000, Platinum $7,000, Gold $5,000, Silver $2,500, Chapter Meeting $1,500) plus Firm Luminary sponsorship at $2,500.
- Event Sponsorships: Individual event sponsorship opportunities including Golf Tournament sponsorships ranging from $950 to $7,000 and Home Tours sponsorships ranging from $250 to $5,000.
- Continuing Education: Continuing education event submissions require $500 processing fee for third-party organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Affiliate membership for contractors, engineers, planners, and other affiliates |
| Subscription | Annual | Basic Membership for unlicensed professionals working toward licensure |
| Freemium | Annual | Student Affiliate membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Architect Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Associate Membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Premier Sustaining Partner |
| Subscription | Annual | Platinum Sustaining Partner |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Sustaining Partner |
| Subscription | Annual | Silver Sustaining Partner |
| Subscription | Annual | Chapter Meeting Sponsor |
| Subscription | Annual | Firm Luminary Partnership |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Event Submission Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
AIA Silicon Valley product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AIA Silicon Valley is a non-profit professional membership association serving licensed architects, associate members, professional affiliates, and architecture students in Santa Clara County. Its core offerings are professional membership tiers, continuing education courses providing AIA learning units, signature events including the Architectural Intelligence Conference, Design Awards, Home Tours, and Golf Tournament, and tiered sponsorship programs that give architecture firms and AEC companies brand visibility and engagement with the local chapter community.
Product overview
AIA Silicon Valley is a professional membership organization for architects, not a software product company. The organization offers a portfolio of membership tiers (Architect, Associate, Professional Affiliate, Basic Member, Student Affiliate, Emeritus), sponsorship programs at various investment levels (Sustaining Partners, Firm Luminary, Golf Tournament, Home Tours), signature events (Architectural Intelligence Conference, Design Awards, Home Tours, Golf Tournament), professional development programs (Christopher Kelley Leadership Program, Continuing Education), a Career Center job board, and scholarship programs. These offerings are interconnected through the chapter's mission to serve local architects and promote architecture in Silicon Valley, with sponsorship revenue supporting chapter operations and member initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Women in Architecture (WIA): A committee focused on increasing the incidence and visibility of women in architecture and related design and construction industries.
- Committee on the Environment (COTE)
- Christopher Kelley Leadership Program
Products and services
- AIA Silicon Valley Chapter Membership
- Sustaining Partners Program
- Firm Luminary Sponsorship
- Golf Tournament Sponsorship
- Home Tours Sponsorship
- Design Awards Program
- Architectural Intelligence Conference
- Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP)
- Continuing Education
- Career Center
- Scholarships Program
Companies that use AIA Silicon Valley
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AIA Silicon Valley technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AIA Silicon Valley partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered premier, gold, silver, firm luminary, minor and core.
- Hayward LumberpremierPremier level sustaining partner providing lumber and building materials sponsorship. Includes 8 tickets to Home Tours, 4 Golf Tournament players, 8 Architectural Intelligence Conference tickets, 3 Professional Affiliate Memberships.
- ArchITgoldGold level sustaining partner offering technology solutions for architects. Includes 4 Home Tour tickets, 2 Golf Tournament players, 4 Architectural Intelligence Conference tickets.
- Blach ConstructiongoldGold level sustaining partner. General construction company supporting the chapter with sponsorship across signature events.
- Custom InnovationsgoldGold level sustaining partner. Custom construction and innovation firm supporting chapter events and programs.
- Bernardo PicturesgoldGold level sustaining partner. Video production company that created the 75th Anniversary Legacy Video for the chapter.
- IA Interior ArchitectsgoldGold level sustaining partner. Interior architecture firm with representative on the board of directors.
- Daedalus Structural EngineeringsilverSilver level sustaining partner. Structural engineering firm supporting the chapter.
- NOVO ConstructionsilverSilver level sustaining partner. Construction company supporting chapter events and hosting chapter meeting venue.
- CAW Architectsfirm luminaryFirm Luminary sponsor. Architecture firm with past president on the board. Provides 2 tickets each to signature events and marketing visibility.
- AEDIS Architectsfirm luminaryFirm Luminary sponsor. Architecture firm with VP/President-Elect on the board. Access to all signature events and marketing opportunities.
- Hayes Group Architectsfirm luminaryFirm Luminary sponsor. Architecture firm with treasurer on the board.
- Lionakisfirm luminaryFirm Luminary sponsor. Architecture and design firm supporting the chapter.
- Schluter SystemsgoldGold level sustaining partner. Building products manufacturer supporting chapter programs.
- ZFA Structural EngineerssilverSilver level sustaining partner. Structural engineering firm supporting chapter events.
- Griggs SystemssilverSilver level sustaining partner. Design systems firm supporting the chapter.
- Stanford Doerr School of SustainabilityminorCo-hosted Women of Carbon film screening event with AIA San Mateo COTE at Stanford University.
- AIA San Mateo COTEminorCo-organized Women of Carbon film screening event.
- CosentinominorSponsor of the Women of Carbon film screening event, supporting net-zero solutions.
- AIA CaliforniacoreState-level AIA chapter affiliation required for local membership. AIA Silicon Valley members must also join at state and national levels.
- American Institute of Architects (National)coreNational AIA affiliation required for membership. Connects local chapter to 95,000+ member network.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
AIA Silicon Valley competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AIA San Francisco: Neighboring AIA local chapter serving the San Francisco area with a similar model of membership, events, sponsorships, and continuing education. Highly comparable in services, audience, and operational structure.
- AIA East Bay: Another AIA local chapter in the San Francisco Bay Area targeting architects in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Operates with the same membership, event, and sponsorship model.
- AIA San Mateo: AIA chapter serving architects in San Mateo County with overlapping Silicon Valley geography. Direct comparable in scope, structure, and member profile; has co-hosted events with AIA Silicon Valley (e.g., Women of Carbon screening).
Emerging players
- Construction Specifications Institute (CSI): Professional association for building construction and AEC professionals offering certifications, education, and chapter events. Comparable in membership-driven services and continuing education value proposition.
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): Membership organization advancing sustainable building practices with strong overlap with AIA's COTE committee mission. Offers LEED credentials, continuing education, and local chapter events that compete for architect engagement.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI): Membership organization for real estate and land-use professionals with overlapping architect audience. Provides education, networking, and local district council events comparable to AIA chapter activity.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): International professional body for architects headquartered in the UK with comparable membership, continuing education, and design awards. AIA Silicon Valley offers RIBA credits, evidencing structural similarities.
- AIA California: State-level AIA component that AIA Silicon Valley is required to also join. Operates at a broader statewide scope with advocacy, legislative engagement, and statewide programming that complements local chapters.
- American Institute of Architects (National): National parent organization of the AIA component network with 95,000+ members. Provides brand, contract documents, career resources, and trust insurance that local chapters leverage.
Regional players
- Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS): Membership organization for AECmarketing and business development professionals with local chapters hosting events and offering education. Comparable in event-driven GTM and tiered sponsorship revenue model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AIA Silicon Valley social profiles
Digital presenceAIA Silicon Valley financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AIA Silicon Valley leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
AIA Silicon Valley funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AIA Silicon Valley 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 AIA Silicon Valley
What does AIA Silicon Valley do?
AIA Silicon Valley is a non-profit professional membership association serving licensed architects, associate members, professional affiliates, and architecture students in Santa Clara County. Its core offerings are professional membership tiers, continuing education courses providing AIA learning units, signature events including the Architectural Intelligence Conference, Design Awards, Home Tours, and Golf Tournament, and tiered sponsorship programs that give architecture firms and AEC companies brand visibility and engagement with the local chapter community.
Is AIA Silicon Valley a public or private company?
AIA Silicon Valley is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AIA Silicon Valley founded?
AIA Silicon Valley was founded in 1955. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AIA Silicon Valley based?
AIA Silicon Valley is headquartered in San Jose, United States, in the North America region.
How does AIA Silicon Valley make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships, event Sponsorships and continuing Education.
Who are AIA Silicon Valley's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AIA San Francisco, AIA East Bay and AIA San Mateo. Emerging players are Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Urban Land Institute (ULI). Broad incumbents are Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), AIA California and American Institute of Architects (National). Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is listed as a regional player.
Does AIA Silicon Valley have an API?
No public API is recorded for AIA Silicon Valley.