DAST

What DAST does

DAST is a privately held, multi-divisional consulting firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, that was restarted under its current consulting-focused form in 2021 by CEO David E. Sexauer. Its core practice, DAST Consulting Services, helps private and Christian schools identify, secure, and properly spend federal and state government funding under programs including Title I-IV, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), E-Rate, and School Choice. The firm applies proprietary software tools for funding discovery and tracking, combined with regulatory expertise held by team members with backgrounds as school principals, grant administrators, and directors of school improvement.

Beyond the education funding practice, DAST operates three additional divisions: DAST Technology Services, which provides managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions to small and mid-sized businesses with a 24/7 support model and sub-15-minute response times; DAST Educational Staffing Solutions, which places qualified educators and helps schools fund those roles; DAST Foundation, a nonprofit arm focused on veterans support, education, and health and wellness initiatives; and DAST Venture Studio, which makes strategic equity and angel investments in mission-aligned companies.

The firm employs 1-10 people, operates in Indiana and Texas, and serves a narrow vertical of private and Christian schools through a sales-led, consultative go-to-market model. In 2023, DAST reported helping 24 schools in Texas unlock more than $25M in funding opportunities, averaging $1M per school versus a $300K state average. The company is privately held under founder control, with no institutional investors disclosed, and closed a $1M funding round in February 2024.

Name

DAST

Legal name

DAST

Website

https://dast.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DAST is a privately held consulting firm that helps private and Christian schools identify, secure, and spend federal and state government funding (Title I-IV, NSLP, E-Rate, School Choice) using proprietary software tools, while also offering IT managed services, educational staffing, and venture investing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: DAST provides consulting services to educational institutions, helping them find, get, and spend government money. Revenue is generated through consulting fees for funding assistance, educational staffing solutions, and technology services engagements.
2. Technology Services: IT support and managed services for businesses, including 24/7 monitoring, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. Revenue generated through ongoing service contracts.
3. Educational Staffing Solutions: Staffing services for educational institutions providing qualified educators and educational professionals, with funding assistance support.
4. Venture Studio / Angel Investing: DAST operates a venture studio that starts, funds, and grows companies focused on positive change. Strategic equity investments in promising companies with strong growth potential.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

DAST is a multi-divisional consulting and services firm whose core offering is government funding advisory for private and Christian schools, helping them find, secure, and properly spend federal and state education funds (Title I–IV, NSLP, E-Rate, School Choice, EANS) using proprietary software tools and senior consulting expertise. The firm also provides educational staffing solutions, managed IT/cybersecurity/cloud services to businesses, and operates a venture studio and nonprofit foundation under common ownership.

Product overview

DAST is a multi-divisional company comprising four distinct service lines. The core portfolio includes DAST Foundation (nonprofit community initiatives), DAST Venture Studio (angel investing and venture services), Educational Staffing Solutions (staffing and funding consulting for schools), and DAST Technology Services (IT support and cybersecurity). The Education Funding Services, powered by proprietary software tools, helps schools identify and access federal and state government funding programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Funding Services Government funding advisory services helping private and Christian schools find, secure, and spend federal and state funds including Title I–IV, National School Lunch Program, E-Rate, and School Choice funds. Uses proprietary software tools for funding discovery, with senior consultant support through application, compliance, and reporting. Delivered as a consulting engagement to schools.
• DAST Technology Services Managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions for businesses that value reliability and security. Includes 24/7/365 monitoring and maintenance, proactive threat monitoring, regular security audits, employee training, and under-15-minute response time support. Delivered as ongoing service contracts to SMBs.
• Educational Staffing Solutions Staffing services for educational institutions providing qualified educators and educational professionals, particularly for schools serving students with learning differences, combined with expert guidance in accessing and utilizing government funding for staffing.
• DAST Venture Studio Angel investing and venture studio services making strategic equity investments in promising companies and startups, plus alternative investment opportunities, for companies and investors seeking alignment with DAST's mission of creating positive change.
• DAST Foundation Nonprofit foundation dedicated to making a positive impact in communities through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives, with focus areas in veterans support, education, and health and wellness. Operates as part of the DAST family of companies under common founder ownership.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 schools helped in Texas in 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Catapult Learning: Provides K-12 schools with intervention, tutoring, and professional services including staffing. Comparable to DAST as a multi-service provider focused on improving outcomes for schools, particularly those serving underserved populations.
• Frontline Education: Provides K-12 schools with HR, finance, special education, and student management software. Comparable to DAST because its platform touches the same funding, finance, and operational workflows that DAST helps schools navigate.
• Kelly Education: The education-focused staffing arm of Kelly Services, placing substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and other educational staff in K-12 schools. Directly comparable to DAST's Educational Staffing Solutions offering.
• Swing Education: Tech-enabled platform for placing substitute teachers and support staff in K-12 schools. Directly comparable to DAST's educational staffing services, addressing the same customer need with a more tech-forward model.
• ManagedMethods: Cybersecurity and monitoring platform purpose-built for K-12 schools and districts. Comparable to DAST Technology Services given the shared focus on serving schools with IT and security needs.
• ESS: One of the largest K-12 staffing providers in the US, supplying substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff. Closely comparable to DAST Consulting's staffing business in customer base and service model.

Broad incumbents

• PowerSchool: Largest K-12 education technology provider in North America, offering SIS, finance, HR, and learning platforms. A broad incumbent whose school-finance and operations software overlaps with the funding-discovery work DAST performs.
• School Specialty: Provider of educational supplies, curriculum, and services to K-12 schools. Comparable as a broad incumbent supporting school operations, with overlap in service delivery to private and faith-based schools.
• CDW-G: Government and education division of CDW, supplying K-12 schools and districts with hardware, software, networking, and managed services. Comparable to DAST Technology Services as a much larger incumbent in K-12 IT services.
• Cognia: Accreditation, assessment, and improvement services organization serving K-12 schools globally. Comparable as a broad incumbent helping schools improve performance and access external resources, adjacent to DAST's funding advisory work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dast-consulting-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 DAST