What Xchange Chicago does

Xchange Chicago is a nonprofit tech workforce development hub located in a 28,000-square-foot facility at 7247 S. Chicago Ave. in the Grand Crossing neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Founded in 2022 as an initiative of the Comer Science & Education Foundation in partnership with SDI Presence and P33, the organization provides technology training, apprenticeships, and wrap-around support services to South Side residents and operates the Connected Tech Pathway (CTP) youth program spanning Grades 5 through young adults. Core programs include Network Technician Training (8 weeks, CompTIA+ prep), Business Analyst Training, and a paid IT Apprenticeship Program that places trainees at anchor tenant SDI Presence or directly with corporate clients including Northern Trust, Peoples Gas, Aon, MRO, Oak Street Health, WEC Energy Group, and the City of Chicago.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit construct: philanthropic and government grants (notably a $5M City of Chicago community development grant, finalist status for the $10M Pritzker Traubert Chicago Prize, and the $500K Learning Landscapes grand prize) plus individual and institutional donations cover program costs and capital expenditures, while SDI Presence operates as the commercial prime contractor that channels Chicago-area enterprise IT spend into local managed services and apprentice-staffed projects. Trainees do not pay for programs; the value capture is measured in placed apprentices, family-sustaining wages generated, and projected citywide economic impact of up to $160 million annually. The facility houses three employer offices with capacity for 200+ employees and includes commercial tenants United Way of Metro Chicago (211 Contact Center) and CMB Catering.

The organization is anchored by a uniquely deep stakeholder ecosystem—the Comer Science & Education Foundation, P33, City Colleges of Chicago, Catalyte, Cara Collective, and the Gary Comer Youth Center—creating integrated classroom-to-career pathways. The technology stack is not proprietary; Xchange is a physical-and-social infrastructure play rather than a software product company, with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, patents, or API products. Strategic differentiation rests on the geographic monopoly of the Comer Education Campus site, the 10-year SDI Presence anchor lease, and the alignment of municipal economic development priorities with the workforce mission.

Name

Xchange Chicago

Legal name

Xchange Chicago

Website

https://xchangechicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development / Tech Training

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Computer Training (61142), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB), Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ), Systems Administration & IT Operations (Windows/Linux, Monitoring, ITSM) (EDABAFAH)

Keywords

• Tech workforce training
• IT apprenticeship programs
• Youth tech pathways
• Onshore IT services
• Community workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial IT Services Contracts: SDI Presence engages Chicago corporations to redirect IT outsourcing spend back to local services and talent through managed services, enterprise IT deployments and infrastructure projects. Revenue generated from commercial contracts with corporations like Peoples Gas, Northern Trust, MRO, Aon, and the City of Chicago.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Xchange received a $5 million community development grant from the City of Chicago to build the new facility. Won $500,000 grand prize in Learning Landscapes Challenge sponsored by Walton Family Foundation and Siegel Family Endowment. Additional funding from various philanthropic organizations.
3. Donations and Support: Individual and organizational donations to support Xchange programs including IT skills training, credentialing, coaching, resume prep, hands-on work experience, and wrap-around supports.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Xchange Chicago operates a 28,000-square-foot tech workforce training and innovation hub in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood, providing free technology training and apprenticeship programs that place South Side residents into IT careers. The hub houses an onshore IT delivery center where anchor tenant SDI Presence delivers managed services to enterprise clients while training and employing local apprentices. Complementary programs include the Connected Tech Pathway youth initiative and adult training tracks in Network Technician and Business Analyst skills.

Product overview

Xchange Chicago operates as a single, unified workforce development platform offering multiple interconnected programs. The core offering is the Xchange Tech Innovation Hub—a 28,000-square-foot onshore IT services center—combined with the Connected Tech Pathway (CTP) youth program and adult training programs (Network Technician Training, Business Analyst Training). All programs feed into the IT Apprenticeship Program, which places trained individuals in roles at anchor tenant SDI Presence and other corporate clients. The ecosystem integrates physical infrastructure, digital platforms, and wrap-around support services to create end-to-end pathways from training to employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Connected Tech Pathways (CTP): Youth tech pathway program bridging the gap between classroom learning and tech careers by equipping youth on Chicago's South Side with essential skills, confidence, and industry connections for high-growth technology careers.

Products and services

• Connected Tech Pathway (CTP) Youth tech pathway program bridging classroom learning and tech careers by equipping youth on Chicago's South Side with essential skills, confidence, and industry connections for high-growth technology careers. Includes four tracks across grade levels for Grades 5-12 and Alumni/Young Adults.
• Network Technician Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 55 apprentices placed in full-time roles generating $3.25 million in family-sustaining wages and benefits in 18 months
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SDI PresencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2024SDI Presence is the anchor tenant and prime contractor for Xchange Chicago. They engage Chicago corporations to carve out IT budgets for local services and onboard apprentices working on commercial projects. Made a 10-year intentional lease commitment to the Xchange onshore tech delivery center.
• P33coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019P33 is a publicly and privately-funded nonprofit co-founder with mission to transform Chicago into a tier 1 tech and innovation hub driving inclusive economic growth. Led by Chicago business and tech leaders across private and public sectors.
• Comer Science & Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Founded by Gary Comer in 1998, the foundation seeds ideas and supports innovative programs for lasting positive impact. Gary Comer grew up in Greater Grand Crossing and pursued helping others through investments in education, environment, and health.
• Gary Comer Youth CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization preparing young people to lead confidently through diverse programs, wraparound services, and career exploration. Anchored in Greater Grand Crossing since 2006 with 1.75-acre youth education garden.
• Girl SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarnessing unique insights of girls and women to build the future of security through workforce training, open source solutions, and strategic alliances.
• Steam & DreamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) organization dedicated to closing the STEM exposure gap and improving futures of Black and Brown youth through mentorship and culturally affirming programming.
• CMB CateringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef Mychael Bonner's catering business awarded $250,000 City of Chicago grant for build-out of new commercial kitchen and cafe inside Xchange. Provides healthy food options and community gathering space.
• Accelerate UcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-of-its-kind program offering rapid pathway to full-time job through affordable academic and training pathways leading to industry-recognized credentials in 4-8 months. Part of National Louis University.
• CatalytecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApprenticeships developing technical and interpersonal skills. Hires from all backgrounds and walks of life. Completed 5 training cohorts helping 33 individuals complete Network Administration and Business Analyst training in 2024.
• Cara CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngages job seekers, employers, and organizations to break the cycle of poverty through employment. 48 attended Cara and City Colleges training course info session.
• City Colleges of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides quality education ensuring student success through support to complete programs and move to further education or career. Partners for training course information sessions.
• United Way of Metro ChicagominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor211 Contact Center tenant moving existing operations into Xchange tech training hub, bringing jobs and resources to the Grand Crossing community.
• Alderman Desmon YancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner5th Ward Alderman providing government support and community leadership for Xchange initiative in Greater Grand Crossing.
• CHAMPS Male MentoringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity of men supporting each other and valuing the role each man plays in empowering youth. Founded by Vondale Singleton.
• Chicago Neighborhood InitiativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormed in 2010 to coordinate resources, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.
• Network for Young Adult SuccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of schools and community organizations committed to long-term success of high school graduates through post-secondary pathways.
• Operation Neighborhood SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration of community organizations creating safe spaces and safe times. Building peace with presence.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and corporate apprenticeships for young adults from underserved communities, with a strong tech/IT track and corporate employer partnerships comparable to Xchange's apprenticeship-to-hire model.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit offering tuition-free IT training (network administration, cybersecurity, software engineering) and connecting graduates to employer partners, closely mirroring Xchange's adult IT training and apprenticeship pipeline.
• Generation USA: Global nonprofit offering free, employer-aligned training programs in tech and digital careers with strong placement outcomes, sharing Xchange's workforce-development-to-employment mission for underserved learners.
• Apprenti: Nonprofit tech apprenticeship intermediary that recruits, trains, and places apprentices with employer partners, sharing Xchange's anchor-tenant-plus-corporate-placement architecture.
• Catalyte: Tech training and apprenticeship provider (and an Xchange training partner) that uses assessment-based recruiting to source diverse IT talent and place them with enterprise clients, directly comparable in training methodology and employer delivery model.
• NPower: Nonprofit providing free IT training and job placement for veterans and young adults from underserved communities, with a comparable tech apprenticeship-to-employment model.

Emerging players

• Cara Collective: Chicago-based nonprofit breaking the cycle of poverty through employment (and an Xchange training partner), sharing the local workforce-development mission and similar employer-engagement model.
• General Assembly: For-profit tech skills training provider (now part of Adecco) offering bootcamps and corporate training, overlapping with Xchange's adult IT reskilling programs but serving a different (paying) customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Large established nonprofit workforce development operator offering job training (including IT/digital skills) across the U.S., sharing Xchange's mission of career pathways for disadvantaged populations but at much greater scale and broader scope.
• CompTIA (Creating IT Futures): Industry certification body whose foundation runs IT workforce development and apprenticeship programs; comparable given Xchange's CompTIA-aligned Network Technician training curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Xchange Chicago