GEIST International Foundation

What GEIST International Foundation does

GEIST International Foundation is a Bangladesh-headquartered non-profit founded in 2017 by Biplob Kumer Deb that operates educational programs, youth competitions and community initiatives serving students from primary through higher-secondary level, teachers/educators and emerging young leaders. Its portfolio spans international olympiads (IOELLS), STEAM championships (I-STEAM, NSC), climate-action championships (WCCA, NCCA), leadership and exchange programs (ILPE, GEIST Scholar Exchange), teacher-training and certification tracks, and conferences (GAFE, GSE, ICLE, ICS), collectively reaching a stated 8,000+ students, 3,000+ teachers and 3,000+ volunteers across 20+ countries. The technology surface is a web-based e-learning environment branded Project Tiktaalik for children, supplemented by virtual-session and webinar delivery platforms used to run remote cohorts and international programming.

The business model blends grant funding, tiered membership fees and per-program registration charges. Memberships are priced at BDT 100-10,000 across tiers, Bangladesh-domestic registrations are BDT 100-460, and international programs (I-STEAM, IOELLS, ICS) are priced USD 600-1,050 per participant. Funding has come from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy Dhaka, IREX, GCERF, the Kofi Annan Foundation, UNESCO and a2i. Go-to-market relies on partner schools, diplomatic alumni networks of U.S. State Department exchange programs (Access and related alumni), and co-organization with international universities — including a USD 60,000, four-year scholarship pipeline with Winthrop University and YSALI 2025 co-organization with the University of Nebraska Omaha and the East-West Center. The organization runs with a headcount in the 11-50 range and does not publish audited financials, so revenue is grant-mix dependent rather than fee-scaled.

Name

GEIST International Foundation

Legal name

GEIST International Foundation

Website

https://geistfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GEIST International Foundation is a Bangladesh-based non-profit (founded 2017) that operates educational programs, youth competitions, and community initiatives for students, teachers, and young leaders across 20+ countries, funded by membership fees, program registrations, and international grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Services & Youth Development Programs

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Teacher Training, Professional Development & Education Leadership (BPADAKAC), Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK), Advanced STEM & Competition Coaching (MathCounts/AMC/AIME/USAMO, Science Olympiad, Physics/Chem Olympiads) (EDANAKAF), University-Led Summer/Winter Schools (Credit/Non-Credit) (EDAIAIAA)

Keywords

• Youth education programs
• STEAM olympiad competitions
• Teacher professional development
• Climate action education
• Leadership exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Tiered membership fees for students and enthusiasts (inside Dhaka and outside Dhaka) ranging from BDT 100-10000 annually, providing access to programs, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
2. Program Registration Fees: Fees for participation in Olympiads, competitions, and leadership programs. Example: STEAM Olympiad registration fee BDT 100, NSC registration BDT 410.
3. International Program Fees: Fees for international programs like I-STEAM (Basic $600 USD, Advance $1050 USD), WCCA, and exchange programs including accommodations and activities.
4. Grant Funding: Funding from international organizations including U.S. Department of State, GCERF, Kofi Annan Foundation, IREX Global Teacher's Grant, and EMK Center for various educational and community projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GEIST International Foundation delivers non-profit educational programs including international and national Olympiads (IOELLS, STEAM, Climate Science), leadership and education conferences (ICLE, GAFE, GSE, ICS), championship programs (I-STEAM, NSC, WCCA, NCCA, ILPE), the English Access Scholarship Program, exchange programs (GEPEL), teacher professional development, and youth empowerment initiatives. The organization serves students from Class 3 to higher secondary level, teachers, and educational institutions across approximately 20 countries, with primary operations in Bangladesh and international chapters hosting global events.

Product overview

GEIST International Foundation operates as a non-profit educational organization offering a portfolio of programs and initiatives rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include international and national olympiads (IOELLS, STEAM Olympiad, Climate Science Olympiad), leadership and education conferences (ICLE, GAFE, GSE, ICS), championship programs (I-STEAM, NSC, WCCA, NCCA, ILPE), and the English Access Scholarship Program. Supporting initiatives include the GEIST STEAM Center for young learners, Project Tiktaalik e-learning platform, teacher training programs including AI integration training, and youth empowerment initiatives. The organization also publishes the Access Journal and runs exchange programs. These programs operate independently rather than as integrated modules of a single platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ILPE: International Leadership Program on Education - A flagship initiative focused on enhancing students' English proficiency, leadership, and critical thinking.
• IOELLS
• I-STEAM
• GYACA
• WCCA
• NCCA
• NSC

Products and services

• National Championship on Climate Action (NCCA)

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000+ students developed through ILPE flagship program since 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Winthrop University (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Scholarship partnership providing up to $60,000 USD over 4 years for GEIST-affiliated students. Recipients considered in-state students, eliminating application fees, with eligibility for additional university scholarships.
• Appalachian State University (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange and collaboration on education initiatives. Professor Jesse Lutabingwa serves on International Advisory Panel. Scope of participation in learning programs offered.
• EMK CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBangladesh-based partner supporting Access Teacher Training programs, EMK Inclusive Education workshops, and accreditation model development project.
• Adamas University (India)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted GTM 2019 India edition, South Asian Exchange Program on Climate Action 2022. Key partner in regional education initiatives.
• United States Embassy DhakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded AI in English Language Classroom training program. Supported Tiktaalik project and various teacher training initiatives.
• Global Innovation & Leadership Centre (GILC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of IOELLS and ILPE flagship programs. Partner in Bangladesh for national competition rounds across 8 divisions.
• Aspire to Innovate (a2i)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of GAFE and NSFE conferences. ICT Division, Ministry of Posts collaboration on educational initiatives.
• UNESCOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced for Reimagining Our Futures Together education framework. Co-organizer of National Symposium on Futures of Education 2025.
• Bangladesh Academy of SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical and technological support partner for GAFE and educational conferences.
• United International University (UIU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting GAFE, NSFE conferences and educational initiatives.
• PEACE Consortium Bangladesh & RupantarmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFacilitated GCERF-funded PVE project implementation through GEIST as sub-grantee.
• Socrates Foundation for Enhanced Learning (India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with GEIST on teacher professional development module on blended learning approach.
• University of Nebraska OmahamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSALI Summit 2025 co-organizer with East-West Center and U.S. Embassy Dhaka.
• East-West CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSALI Summit 2025 co-organizer supporting young South Asian leaders initiative.
• Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for I-STEAM 2026 International STEAM Championship in Bangkok, Thailand.
• University of MalayacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for ICLE 2024 and GEPEL 2024 international conferences.
• Phenikaa University (Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for STEAM Education exchange program and ICS 2023 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Room to Read: International non-profit focused on literacy, girls' education, and STEAM in developing countries. Comparable to GEIST's girls' empowerment and education programming across Bangladesh and South/Southeast Asia.
• Junior Achievement Worldwide: Global youth education non-profit delivering leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness programs through schools. Comparable on K-12 leadership curriculum, national chapter network, and event-based program delivery model.
• BRAC: Bangladesh-headquartered international development organization operating education programs at scale across multiple countries. Closest geographic and operational peer to GEIST, though significantly larger.
• WE Charity (WE Movement): International youth empowerment organization running leadership development, service learning, and international exchange programs. Comparable to GEIST on youth leadership model and international programming portfolio.
• Aga Khan Academies: Network of residential schools offering STEAM-focused international education with strong leadership and ethics components. Comparable to GEIST's I-STEAM and leadership academies, though operating formal schools rather than programs.
• AIESEC: Global youth leadership network running international exchange, olympiad-style competitions, and leadership development programs. Highly comparable to GEIST on youth-led international programming and alumni-driven chapter model.

Emerging players

• Khan Academy: Non-profit educational platform with free STEAM and learning content for global youth audiences. Comparable to GEIST's Project Tiktaalik e-learning platform for kids and broader STEAM education mission, though GEIST is event-based vs. content-based.

Broad incumbents

• Asia Society: Educational non-profit promoting Asian-Pacific understanding through education, exchange, and policy. Comparable to GEIST on international education programming and U.S.-Asia exchange partnerships, though broader in scope.
• IREX / FHI 360 Education Programs: Large international development organizations implementing donor-funded education, teacher training, and youth programs globally. Comparable to GEIST on teacher professional development and donor-funded program delivery, though at significantly larger scale.
• IREX: Global development and education organization that is both a peer (delivering teacher training, youth leadership, exchange programs) and a current funder of GEIST via the Global Teacher's Grant. Overlap in STEAM education and capacity building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Gse2018Geist
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCP7PbwQ43k5ntYn0oI1z8kg
• Facebookfacebook.com/geistinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/geistinternational-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GEIST International Foundation