Global Business Coalition for Education

What Global Business Coalition for Education does

Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education), legally Global Business Coalition for Education, Inc. and operating under the assumed name Theirworld USA, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in Delaware (EIN 45-4960988) and headquartered at 599 Lexington Avenue, New York. Founded in 2012 by Theirworld, the organization functions as a business-led coalition of 150+ corporations that brokers partnerships between companies, governments, NGOs, and international organizations to advance global education and youth skills. It is not a technology company; its platform is the coalition network itself, anchored by governance seats on Global Partnership for Education, Education Cannot Wait, Generation Unlimited, and the UNESCO SDG 4 Steering Committee. Headcount is small (11-50), but program reach spans more than 60 countries and an annual beneficiary base of 4.2 million children, parents, and teachers.

Core programs include the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator (a national network of 58 youth-serving nonprofits across 24 states reaching 250,000+ young people annually, led with Dell, Deloitte, and Stellantis), the Disaster Relief and Education Response Fund, the Device Coalition for Ukraine (a $30 million initiative with HP and Microsoft that delivered devices and software to 74,000 Ukrainian children), Strategic Advisory Services, the Partnership Hub, the Act for Early Years campaign, and a tiered Coalition Membership Program. Underlying technology is relationship-based rather than software-based: delivery runs through convenings, roundtables, UN General Assembly events, vetted nonprofit referrals, and an in-house research library that includes the Business Case for Global Education, the ESG Education Playbook, and the Education Finance Playbook.

Revenue mechanics are nonprofit and multi-stream. Sources include a free coalition membership tier for broad network access, a $50,000 annual premium tier with coaching and senior-leader resources, fee-based custom strategic advisory engagements typically structured as multi-year contracts, and project/campaign funding contributions from signature partners. Go-to-market is relationship-driven, combining direct enterprise outreach, high-profile events (UNGA luncheons, regional roundtables, Leadership Labs), thought leadership content, and referrals from existing members and the advisory board, which includes senior leaders from major corporate partners such as Deloitte, Econet, and SAP. Leadership comprises CEO Justin van Fleet and Executive Chair Sarah Brown.

Name

Global Business Coalition for Education

Legal name

Global Business Coalition for Education, Inc.

Website

https://gbc-education.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GBC-Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition of 150+ businesses, founded in 2012 by Theirworld, that brokers partnerships between corporations, governments, and NGOs to advance global education and youth skills development across 60+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Coalition and Corporate Social Impact Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International & Comparative Education Policy Organizations (EDADADAL), STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ)

Keywords

• Education coalition services
• Youth skills training
• Corporate social impact
• Education advisory consulting
• Workforce development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Coalition Membership Dues: Companies join the coalition through tiered membership: free coalition membership, $50,000 annually for coaching and resources, fee-based strategic advisory services based on project scope, or project/campaign funding contributions.
2. Project and Campaign Funding: Corporate partnerships supporting specific initiatives like the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator, Digital Equity for Ukraine, Disaster Relief and Education Response Fund, and Act for Early Years campaign.
3. Strategic Advisory Services: Fee-based custom consulting services where GBC-Education experts act as extension of client teams to analyze unique positions, develop strategies, and provide actionable plans for education impact initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education) is a nonprofit coalition that brokers relationships between businesses, governments, NGOs, and international organizations to advance global education. Its core offerings include a tiered coalition membership program for companies, the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator network connecting youth-serving nonprofits with employers, fee-based strategic advisory services, a Partnership Hub representing business in global education governance, and targeted initiatives such as the Digital Equity for Ukraine Device Coalition and the Act for Early Years campaign.

Product overview

The Global Business Coalition for Education operates as a coalition platform rather than a traditional software product. Its core offerings include the Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator (a national network supporting youth-serving organizations through training and capacity building with employer partnerships), the Disaster Relief and Education Response Fund (enabling rapid deployment of education support during crises), Strategic Advisory Services (helping businesses develop education impact strategies), the Partnership Hub (convening roundtables and representing business interests in education governance), Act for Early Years campaign (advocating for early childhood development), and Strategic Roundtables and Signature Events (high-level convenings on education challenges). The organization also facilitates a Device Coalition for Ukraine and offers tiered coalition membership with various engagement pathways.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coalition Membership Program Tiered membership program offering networking opportunities, tools, resources, event access, employee engagement opportunities, and access to new partners for businesses committed to education impact. Available as free basic membership, $50,000 annual premium tier, or custom advisory partnerships.
• Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator National network and leadership program supporting youth-serving organizations through training and capacity building, working alongside the private sector to shape pathways to employment for underserved young people across 24 states, reaching over 250,000 young people annually with employer partnerships including Dell, Deloitte, and Stellantis.
• Disaster Relief and Education Response Fund Fund providing businesses with on-the-ground information and partnerships to raise and distribute funds within 30 days of an emergency for education in crisis situations, addressing the 100 million children missing school in crisis zones.
• Strategic Advisory Services Custom advisory services helping businesses craft strategies, policies, and program partnerships to make the greatest impact on young people, including developing tailored strategies, adding expert capacity, and executing education initiatives.
• Partnership Hub Platform for collaboration that convenes roundtables and provides representation alongside governments, development banks, and international organizations on major decision-making bodies for education policy and social impact.
• Act for Early Years Campaign Global campaign dedicated to ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preschool education, addressing the childcare crisis that costs businesses billions annually.
• Device Coalition (Ukraine) Initiative providing devices to Ukrainian children who cannot access remote learning due to lack of equipment, implemented in partnership with HP, Microsoft, Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry for Digital Transformation, and the Olena Zelenska Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250,000 young people reached annually through Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HP Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022$30 million Digital Equity for Ukraine partnership delivering devices and software to Ukrainian students. GBC-Education streamlined logistics for distributing devices that 'moved the needle' on digital equity in the middle of a warzone. Partners with Microsoft on software and works with Ukraine's Ministry of Education, Ministry for Digital Transformation, and Olena Zelenska Foundation.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner in Digital Equity for Ukraine providing software for devices donated through the $30 million initiative. Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Philanthropies noted: 'Putting laptops in the hands of Ukrainian children helps them to continue their education, stay in contact with loved ones, and dream of a better tomorrow.'
• Dell TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead corporate partner in Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator providing Dell AI PCs (two per organization), pro-bono tools, and expertise. Co-host of annual luncheon during UN General Assembly with Google.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewest corporate partner joining Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator in 2025 to tackle youth skills crisis. Lottie Holland, Vice President D&I, Engagement stated: 'Scale and local reach matter when it comes to developing the future workforce our business depends on.'
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. Deloitte's StepUP skills-based volunteering program supports Accelerator organizations with pro-bono projects. Kwasi Mitchell serves as Global Chief Sustainability Officer on Advisory Board.
• SAPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member since 2012. Collaborated on Educate to Employ North America pilot program. GBC-Education helped identify, evaluate, and vet potential partners across US and Canada. SAP participates in task forces, events, and Youth Skills Accelerator initiatives.
• GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined coalition in 2024 with growing network of 150+ companies committed to transforming lives through education. Co-host of annual luncheon with Dell exploring AI for growth and prosperity in Africa.
• TheirworldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent global children's charity that established GBC-Education in 2012. Theirworld USA is assumed name of Global Business Coalition for Education, Inc. Sarah Brown serves as Executive Chair of GBC-Education and Chair of Theirworld.
• Ukrainian Business CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew partnership announced September 2025 to advance business support for education in Ukraine. Council consists of 125 small and medium business associations representing 27,000 enterprises. Will collaborate to strengthen business engagement in education and share best practices.
• Olena Zelenska FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Digital Equity for Ukraine initiative. First Lady Olena Zelenska stated: 'We are very grateful for HP's and the Global Business Coalition for Education's support. Their efforts will help students in Ukraine continue learning and prepare for the future.'
• McKinsey.orgminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupporting participant organizations in Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator with offerings including digital tools and pro-bono services to help organizations build capacity.
• Atlassian FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupporting Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator participants with offerings to help organizations build capacity and scale impact.
• Tata Consultancy ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCorporate supporter providing offerings including pro-bono services to help Accelerator organizations build capacity and scale impact.
• Global Partnership for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBC-Education represents private sector on Board of Directors of GPE, a US$4 billion fund supporting education in over 65 developing countries hosted by the World Bank. David Boutcher serves as private sector representative.
• Education Cannot WaitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal fund for education in emergencies where GBC-Education participates in governance and decision-making through Partnership Hub.
• Generation UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership where GBC-Education participates in governance and decision-making through Partnership Hub.
• UNESCO SDG 4 CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO High-Level Steering Committee for Sustainable Development Goal 4 where GBC-Education holds a seat representing private sector perspective on education goals.
• Act for Early Years Campaign PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampaign includes Roger Federer, Sesame Workshop, The LEGO Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, UNICEF, and others committed to early childhood development. GBC-Education co-convenes events and provides thought leadership on business engagement in early years.
• Fifteen Founding Companies (2012)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding members: Accenture, Grupo Carso, Chevron, Dangote, Discovery Learning Alliance, Econet Wireless, GUCCI, Hess, Intel, Lenovo, McKinsey & Company, Pearson, Reed Smith, Tata, Western Union. Committed to creating space for business community to learn, take action, and create social impact.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Teach For All: Global network of 60+ independent partner organizations addressing education inequity through a coalition model. Directly comparable to GBC-E in leveraging a federated, membership-based structure with shared mission and brand standards to scale education impact across geographies.
• Room to Read: Nonprofit partnering with governments and corporations to provide literacy and life-skills education in low-income communities across 20+ countries. Comparable to GBC-E as a global education nonprofit that depends on corporate partnerships to scale programs and operationalizes a network of country teams.
• Brookings Center for Universal Education: Policy research center producing influential work on global education, skills, and workforce development. Comparable to GBC-E's research and playbooks (Business Case for Global Education, ESG Education Playbook) and engagement with corporate and government leaders on education strategy.
• Theirworld: Founding parent and direct organizational sibling. Theirworld established GBC-Education in 2012, shares Sarah Brown as chair of both entities, and pursues the same mission of ending the global education crisis. Operates as the global campaign and advocacy wrapper while GBC-E handles the corporate coalition layer.

Broad incumbents

• UNESCO: UN agency that sets global standards for education and convenes the High-Level Steering Committee for Sustainable Development Goal 4, on which GBC-Education holds a private-sector seat. Directly comparable as a global education governance body that benefits from private-sector engagement.
• World Economic Forum: Multistakeholder platform convening business, government, and civil society leaders on global issues. Comparable to GBC-E through initiatives like the Reskilling Revolution and education-focused convenings, while operating at far larger scale and broader thematic scope.
• UNICEF: UN agency operating in 190+ countries to advance children's rights, including access to quality education and skills. Overlaps with GBC-E's mission footprint - Generation Unlimited is UNICEF-led - and represents the much larger incumbent that GBC-Education partners with rather than competes against.

Others

• Generation Unlimited: UNICEF-led public-private partnership focused on skills, education, training, and engagement for young people aged 10-24. GBC-Education holds a governance seat via the Partnership Hub, making it a closely aligned youth-skills platform with overlapping constituencies.
• Education Cannot Wait (ECW): Global fund dedicated to education in emergencies, reaching children in crisis zones. GBC-Education participates in ECW's governance through the Partnership Hub, making it an ecosystem partner that aligns on overlapping missions rather than a marketplace competitor.
• Global Partnership for Education (GPE): US$4 billion multilateral fund supporting education in 65+ developing countries, hosted by the World Bank. GBC-Education represents the private sector on its Board of Directors via its Partnership Hub, making it a direct governance partner rather than peer competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gbceducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gbceducation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Global Business Coalition for Education