What Access Drive does

Access Drive is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, with operations in Nigeria. It delivers free online technology education targeted at racialized youth aged 13-18, structured around a 12-week Tech Incubation Program that combines personalized skills matching, hands-on training, collaborative group projects, and internship opportunities. The core curriculum comprises four courses: Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Cyber Security, and Soft Skills. The AI program is a six-month track with 50 lectures covering machine learning, deep learning, NLP, and computer vision using Python with TensorFlow, Keras, and Scikit-learn; the software development track covers Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, web and mobile development; the cybersecurity track covers network security, encryption, ethical hacking, and incident response; and the soft skills track addresses communication, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence.

The technology platform is a purely digital-first delivery model: all registration runs through Google Forms, programs are accessed via the accessdrive.org website, and sessions are delivered through virtual classrooms. Beyond the four core courses, Access Drive operates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Incubation Hub in Nigeria for entrepreneurs, an Online Safety program delivered in partnership with Google that has reached over 1,000 educators and parents, and a Google My Business partnership supporting small business digital presence. Reported reach includes 10,000+ students trained cumulatively, 7,000 certified students in Nigeria alone, and 3,500 parents and teachers reached through online safety programs.

The business model is freemium and donation-funded. All courses are provided to learners at no cost, and the organization relies on sponsors and donations for sustainability, with Google and Google.org identified as key collaborators and partners including the McKenna Institute, International Labour Organization, Jobberman, and Oxfam in Nigeria. Delivery relies on a small staff of 5 employees supported by 50 certified volunteer trainers, including practitioners with credentials such as a 12+ year Solution Architect, a CompTIA Security+ certified DevOps Engineer at Bell Canada, and a CEH-certified Security Analyst with 9+ years of experience.

Name

Access Drive

Legal name

Access Drive

Website

https://accessdrive.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Access Drive is a Canadian non-profit that delivers free online tech education, including AI, software development, cybersecurity, and soft skills, to racialized youth aged 13-18 in Canada and Nigeria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Education and Youth Skills Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive Learning & Personalized Instruction Software (EDAJAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Tech skills education
• Youth incubation program
• AI training courses
• Cybersecurity training
• Soft skills development

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredericton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Access Drive is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations and sponsorships to fund its educational programs. The organization states it provides equitable technology education at little to no cost to learners, funded through generous financial support from sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Access Drive delivers free online tech incubation programs targeting racialized youth and minority groups aged 13-18. The core offering consists of four technical courses—Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Cyber Security, and Soft Skills—delivered over a 12-week incubation program that includes personalized skills matching, hands-on training with real-world technologies, collaborative group projects, mentorship from industry professionals, and internship opportunities. Programs are funded by sponsors and donations and offered at little to no cost to learners.

Product overview

Access Drive is a not-for-profit organization offering a portfolio of technology education programs and incubation services for racialized youth. The core product portfolio consists of four technical courses (AI, Software Development, Cyber Security, Soft Skills) delivered through a 12-week Tech Incubation Program that provides personalized skills matching, hands-on training, group projects, and internship opportunities. Additional offerings include a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Incubation Hub for entrepreneurs, and specialized programs in Online Safety (in partnership with Google). All programs target teenagers aged 13-18 and are designed to build in-demand tech skills for personal and economic development in Atlantic Canada and Nigeria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program A comprehensive AI course designed for teenagers aged 13-18 that teaches fundamentals of AI including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and computer vision through interactive lessons and hands-on projects using Python libraries such as TensorFlow, Keras, and Scikit-learn.
• Software Development Course A course for teenagers introducing software development fundamentals, covering Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, web development, and mobile app development through hands-on projects and interactive lessons.
• Cyber Security Course A course for teenagers covering practices and technologies to safeguard confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, including network security, encryption, cryptography, ethical hacking, and incident response.
• Soft Skills Course A course for teenagers covering essential interpersonal abilities including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution for personal and professional success.
• Tech Incubation Program A free online tech incubation program targeting minority youth, providing personalized skills matching, hands-on training, collaborative group projects, and internship opportunities over a 12-week period.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Incubation Hub An entrepreneurship support initiative providing mentorship programs, networking events, training, impact measurement, research support, and eco-friendly facilities for entrepreneurs and change-makers to develop sustainable businesses aligned with UN SDGs.
• Online Safety Program A program in partnership with Google that empowers parents and teachers to teach online safety to children, with over 1,000 educators and parents joining virtual online safety sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ students trained
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with Google for Online Safety initiatives in Nigeria. Access Drive partnered with Google to empower parents and teachers to impart online safety tips to children. Over 1,000 educators and parents joined virtual online safety sessions. Also includes Google My Business partnership allowing businesses to manage their online presence.
• McKenna InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe McKenna Institute is mentioned as a collaborator with Access Drive for designing and implementing impactful social programs in the education and technology space.
• International Labour OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoluwatife Ajayi has collaborated with the International Labour Organization in designing and implementing impactful social programs.
• JobbermanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoluwatife Ajayi has collaborated with Jobberman in designing and implementing impactful social programs related to employment and skills development.
• Oxfam in NigeriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoluwatife Ajayi has collaborated with Oxfam in Nigeria in designing and implementing impactful social programs focused on economic development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• DataCamp Donates: Provides free DataCamp access to underserved learners and educators globally. Comparable free tech-education-to-employment pathway for underrepresented learners, narrower curriculum focus.

Direct peers

• Resilient Coders: Nonprofit training young people of color in software development and connecting them to tech employment. Similar demographic focus, free bootcamp model, and youth-to-career pipeline.
• Per Scholas: US nonprofit providing tuition-free IT and cybersecurity training to underserved adults. Closely aligned free bootcamp-to-employment model with employer partnerships.
• Girls Who Code: Nonprofit working to close the gender gap in tech through free coding programs for K-12 girls. Comparable free, donor-funded, volunteer-supported EdTech model for underrepresented youth.
• Generation (by McKinsey): Global nonprofit offering free, accelerated tech training and job placement to underserved populations. Comparable free-to-learner bootcamp model with internship/employment outcomes.
• Black Boys Code: Canadian nonprofit delivering tech education to Black youth in K-12 age range. Directly comparable mission, target demographic, free model, and volunteer-driven delivery to Access Drive.
• NPower: Nonprofit offering free technology training and job placement to underserved young adults and military veterans. Comparable tuition-free IT training with employer pipeline.

Broad incumbents

• Udacity (Nanodegree): Commercial tech upskilling platform offering AI, programming, and cybersecurity courses. Adjacent curriculum offering but commercial and learner-paid, broadly competes for the same learner time and outcomes.
• Code.org: Major nonprofit working to expand access to computer science, particularly for women and underrepresented minorities. Broader portfolio but overlapping mission and donation-funded model.

Regional players

• Canada Learning Code: Canadian nonprofit delivering tech education across age groups with a focus on women, girls, and underrepresented communities. Same geography, similar free mission-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/accessdriveng/status/1843213787928678733?s=46
• Facebookfacebook.com/accessdriveng
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/access-drive
• Instagraminstagram.com/accessdrive/profilecard/?igsh=MWUwYWlrZWxqcmZscQ==

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Access Drive