Hour of Code
Hour of Code is a free, nonprofit educational initiative run by Code.org that delivers one-hour coding and AI tutorials to K-12 students, educators, and adult learners across 180+ countries and 22 languages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hour of Code does
Hour of Code is an educational initiative operated by Code.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, that delivers free one-hour coding and AI tutorials to a global learner base spanning 180+ countries and 22 languages. It was launched in 2013 as part of Computer Science Education Week and has since reached tens of millions of students, with a community of educators, schools, and volunteers organizing events. In 2024, the initiative extended into AI literacy through the launch of the Hour of AI, offering hands-on activities such as AI-generated art, Minecraft-based AI building, and an introductory web lab course hosted on Code.org's Studio platform, alongside dedicated teacher resources designed so that no AI expertise is required to lead sessions.
The underlying technology stack is browser-based and self-service: interactive web tutorials are served through code.org's Code Studio platform, with resources and event registration distributed via csforall.org. The platform supports multilingual delivery in 22 languages, provides printable and digital teacher materials, and integrates with third-party environments such as Minecraft. There is no native mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed SDK or MCP integration; distribution is entirely digital and grassroots-driven, relying on the existing Code.org educator network rather than a traditional sales motion.
Hour of Code operates as a nonprofit program with no pricing tiers or paid products — all activities and educator resources are free. Funding is derived from individual donations routed through Code.org's donate portal and from a tiered corporate sponsorship structure (AI Education Champion, Advocate, Supporter), with Amazon Web Services (AWS) named as a powering partner. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, peaking annually during Computer Science Education Week but available year-round for classrooms and community hosts.
Hour of Code firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hour of Code
- Website
- https://hourofcode.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Hour of Code is a free, nonprofit educational initiative run by Code.org that delivers one-hour coding and AI tutorials to K-12 students, educators, and adult learners across 180+ countries and 22 languages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hour of Code industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Computer Science Education
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Coding & Programming Learning Platforms (EDAFANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI & Machine Learning (Foundations & Applied) (EDAMACAG), Introductory Coding (Block-Based & Beginner) (EDAMACAA), Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++) (EDAMACAB)
Keywords
Where Hour of Code is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Hour of Code business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorships & Philanthropy: The initiative is backed by top technology companies, foundations, and philanthropists who provide financial and strategic support as AI Education Champions, Advocates, and Supporters. The page includes a 'Donate' button linked to code.org's donation portal.
- Partnership Application (Sponsorship Tier): Organizations can apply to become official partners at sponsorship tiers (AI Education Champion, Advocate, Supporter), likely providing financial contributions in exchange for association with the initiative.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free — All Users |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Hour of Code product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hour of Code operates as a global educational initiative under Code.org providing free, one-hour interactive tutorials and activities that introduce learners to coding and artificial intelligence. Its flagship programs include the original Hour of Code (launched 2013) and the newer Hour of AI (launched 2024), delivered through browser-based activities available in 22 languages. The initiative provides hands-on AI activities, the Intro to Web Lab tutorial for students aged 13+, dedicated teacher resources, and self-serve event registration for K-12 classrooms and community events.
Product overview
Hour of Code operates as an educational initiative rather than a traditional software product, offering two primary programs: the original Hour of Code (a global movement introducing coding fundamentals through one-hour tutorials) and the newer Hour of AI (an initiative building on this success to help students understand and create with artificial intelligence). These programs are delivered through interactive AI Activities tutorials, Intro to Web Lab tutorials, teacher resources, how-to guides, and event registration tools. Activities are available year-round, with the Hour of AI celebrating during the annual Computer Science Education Week.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hour of AI A global educational initiative designed to help students and educators take their first step into understanding and creating with AI through hands-on, easy-to-follow activities. Empowers learners to demystify AI and explore what's possible when they harness it for good. Available year-round and celebrated during the annual Computer Science Education Week.
- Hour of Code The original flagship global initiative and movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries, designed to introduce coding and computer science fundamentals through one-hour tutorials.
- AI Activities Interactive tutorials designed for all ages that teach AI concepts through hands-on activities, available year-round with translations in 22 languages starting late January.
- Intro to Web Lab A coding tutorial available for students aged 13 and older, part of the Code Studio platform, focusing on web development fundamentals.
Quantifiable outcome
- Available in 22 languages
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hour of Code
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hour of Code technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hour of Code partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Hour of Code competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Scratch (MIT Media Lab): Block-based introductory coding platform for young learners, built by MIT. Directly comparable as a free, beginner-friendly coding environment that onboards K-12 students into programming concepts.
- Khan Academy: Major nonprofit free K-12 and adult learning platform offering coding, AI, and computer science lessons. Directly comparable as a free, web-based, multilingual education provider targeting students and educators globally.
- Codecademy: Online coding education platform offering interactive tutorials across multiple programming languages. Comparable in delivering structured, browser-based coding lessons to learners, with a stronger text-based programming focus.
- Tynker: K-12 coding platform with self-paced courses, Minecraft-based activities, and classroom tools. Comparable target audience (K-12 students and educators) and similar activity-style learning, though Tynker is a commercial offering.
- Google CS First: Google's free computer science curriculum for K-12 classrooms with teacher-led activities. Directly comparable as a free, classroom-oriented coding education initiative backed by a major technology company.
Broad incumbents
- Code.org: Parent organization and operator of Hour of Code and Hour of AI. Code.org runs the broader K-12 computer science curriculum, Studio platform, and educator programs that the Hour of Code/AI initiatives are built upon.
Emerging players
- Common Sense Education: Nonprofit providing digital literacy and AI literacy resources for K-12 educators and families. Comparable as a free educational content provider helping teachers introduce emerging-technology concepts into classrooms.
- AI4ALL: Nonprofit focused on AI education and workforce pathways for underrepresented students. Comparable as an AI-literacy nonprofit initiative targeting K-12 and early-career learners, though more focused on pipeline programs than mass onboarding.
Others
- ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education): Professional association providing standards, certifications, and resources for educators integrating technology. Comparable as a stakeholder ecosystem shaping K-12 computer science and AI curriculum adoption in schools.
Regional players
- Bootstrap (Brown University): K-12 computer science curriculum provider distributed through partner schools. Comparable as a structured CS curriculum integrated into middle and high school classrooms, though smaller in global reach than Hour of Code.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hour of Code social profiles
Digital presenceHour of Code financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hour of Code leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hour of Code funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hour of Code 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 Hour of Code
What does Hour of Code do?
Hour of Code operates as a global educational initiative under Code.org providing free, one-hour interactive tutorials and activities that introduce learners to coding and artificial intelligence. Its flagship programs include the original Hour of Code (launched 2013) and the newer Hour of AI (launched 2024), delivered through browser-based activities available in 22 languages. The initiative provides hands-on AI activities, the Intro to Web Lab tutorial for students aged 13+, dedicated teacher resources, and self-serve event registration for K-12 classrooms and community events.
Is Hour of Code a public or private company?
Hour of Code is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hour of Code founded?
Hour of Code was founded in 2013.
Where is Hour of Code based?
Hour of Code is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hour of Code make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Corporate Sponsorships & Philanthropy is the primary driver. The others are partnership Application (Sponsorship Tier).
Who are Hour of Code's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Scratch (MIT Media Lab), Khan Academy, Codecademy, Tynker and Google CS First. Code.org is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Common Sense Education and AI4ALL. ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) is listed as an others. Bootstrap (Brown University) is listed as a regional player.
Does Hour of Code have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hour of Code.
What industry is Hour of Code in?
Hour of Code's product category is Computer Science Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFANAA, Coding & Programming Learning Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAMACAG, AI & Machine Learning (Foundations & Applied). Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.