PSD Futures Lab

What PSD Futures Lab does

The PSD Career Tech Center, branded as PSD Future Ready, is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program operated by Poudre School District (PSD), a public K-12 entity headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. Founded in 2021 and located on the Poudre High School Campus, the program offers half-day, semester-long career pathway instruction to PSD high school juniors and seniors across approximately twelve pathways, including AI & Mobile Apps, Automotive, Aviation & Drones, Behavioral Health, Construction, Cybersecurity & Networking, Early Childhood Education, Manufacturing, and Medical Assistant. Each pathway combines classroom instruction with hands-on lab work, work-based learning, and preparation for industry-recognized certifications (e.g., ASE Entry Level, FAA Part 107, CompTIA Security+, OSHA, HOSA, Swift) alongside concurrent-enrollment college credit awarded through partner community colleges.

The program is delivered as an in-person, district-wide service rather than a software product; the underlying platform is a physical campus with shared facilities (auto bay, machine shop, etc.) staffed by industry-experienced instructors and supported by district-wide transportation. Core technology consists of standardized curriculum mapped to Aims Community College, Front Range Community College, and Community College of Aurora course codes, industry certification exam preparation, and student-competition organizations (SkillsUSA, TSA, HOSA, FCCLA, NTHS). Distribution is direct: students apply via a Google Form restricted to PSD accounts and are placed into morning or afternoon sessions.

Commercially, the program is not a revenue-generating business; it is funded through public K-12 district funding mechanisms, and no tuition or fees are charged to students. Concurrent-enrollment credits are provided tuition-free through community-college partnerships with PSD covering the cost, and any revenue model is effectively a public-budget allocation. The go-to-market is community-led, relying on the PSD Future Ready website, school counselor referrals, structured application windows with specific deadlines (e.g., the 2026-27 application period with placement notifications scheduled for March 2026), and email notifications rather than a commercial sales motion.

Name

PSD Futures Lab

Legal name

Poudre School District Career and Technical Education (PSD Career Tech Center)

Website

https://futureslab.psdschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The PSD Career Tech Center is a Poudre School District CTE program offering half-day, tuition-free career pathway instruction across twelve pathways to PSD high school juniors and seniors in Fort Collins, Colorado, with concurrent college credit through three partner community colleges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education (Secondary Education)

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)

Keywords

• Career technical education
• High school CTE programs
• Concurrent enrollment pathways
• Industry certification training
• Public school workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Education Funding: As a Poudre School District CTE program, the Career Tech Center is funded through public school district funding mechanisms and does not generate commercial revenue. College credit is provided tuition-free through concurrent enrollment partnerships with Aims Community College, Front Range Community College, and Community College of Aurora.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The PSD Career Tech Center is a Poudre School District Career and Technical Education program offering half-day career pathway programs to high school juniors and seniors at the Poudre High School Campus. Students earn transferable college credit through concurrent enrollment with Aims Community College, Front Range Community College, and Community College of Aurora, alongside industry-recognized certifications and work-based learning experiences, all at no tuition cost.

Product overview

PSD Career Tech Center is a single unified CTE program offering multiple career pathway modules for high school students. The program runs semester-long pathways Monday through Friday, with morning sessions (9:30 am - 11:45 am) and afternoon sessions (1:15 pm - 3:30 pm). Transportation is provided from all high schools. The nine pathways (AI & Mobile Apps, Automotive, Aviation & Drones, Behavioral Health, Construction, Cybersecurity & Networking, Early Childhood Education, Manufacturing, and Medical Assistant) each provide college credit through partner institutions (Aims Community College, Front Range Community College, Community College of Aurora), industry certifications, and work-based learning opportunities. Students apply as juniors and seniors and attend half-day programs at the Poudre High School Campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PSD Career Tech Center Program A Poudre School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) umbrella program for high school juniors and seniors, located on the Poudre High School Campus. Students attend half-day career pathway programs to explore careers, develop in-demand skills, earn industry-recognized credentials, and earn college credit at no cost.
• AI & Mobile Apps Pathway Career pathway teaching students to code apps for Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Apple Vision Pro), maximize AI tools, and explore ethical implications of AI. Includes programming, software development, and ethical hacking. Students earn Aims Community College credits in Computer Information Systems and the Swift App Development industry certification.
• Automotive Pathway Two-level career pathway teaching vehicle diagnostics, repair, and maintenance. Students explore careers in automotive repair, service management, and vehicle inspection on real cars in an auto bay. Students earn Aims Community College credits and can complete the Aims Automotive Service program semester 1 credits. Industry certifications include ASE Entry Level (Brakes and Electrical).
• Aviation & Drones Pathway Career pathway covering drone operation, flight planning, and aerial data analysis. Students explore careers in drone piloting, aerial surveying, aviation maintenance, and unmanned aircraft systems management. Students earn Aims UAS Sciences Degree Pathway credits and prepare for FAA Part 107 certification.
• Behavioral Health Pathway Career pathway teaching mental health assessment and therapeutic interventions using evidence-based practices. Students explore careers in counseling, social work, and mental health services. Students earn credits toward the Behavioral Health Assistant Certification Program through the Community College of Aurora.
• Construction Pathway Career pathway covering project planning, construction techniques, and site management. Includes Construction 1 fundamentals and Construction 2 HVAC specialization. Students earn Aims Community College credits and the Construction Fundamentals Certificate.
• Cybersecurity & Networking Pathway Career pathway including programming, software development, and cybersecurity practices. Students explore careers in software engineering, cybersecurity analysis, and IT management. Aligned with CompTIA Security+ industry certification.
• Early Childhood Education Pathway Two-level career pathway covering child development, classroom management, and educational strategies. Students explore careers in early childhood education, childcare management, and educational program coordination. Students earn credits toward the Early Childhood Assistant Certification through Front Range Community College.
• Manufacturing Pathway Career pathway teaching production processes, quality control, and equipment operation. Manufacturing 2 (starting 2027-28) covers machine shop operations including engine lathe and milling machine work. Students earn Aims Community College credits toward the Manufacturing program.
• Medical Assistant Pathway Two-year (year-long) career pathway covering patient care, basic medical procedures, and administrative tasks. Students explore careers in medical assisting, clinical support, and healthcare administration. Students earn credits toward the Medical Assistant Certificate and Medical Office Administrative Assistant Certificate through Front Range Community College.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students earn 3+ college credits per pathway along with industry certifications at no tuition cost

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aims Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary college credit partner offering concurrent enrollment in multiple pathways including Computer Information Systems, Automotive Service Technology, UAS Sciences, Construction Management, Manufacturing, and Networking. Students earn transferable college credits and industry certifications (e.g., Brakes Certificate, Electrical Certificate, Construction Fundamentals Certificate) through Aims.
• Front Range Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner college for Early Childhood Education, Medical Assistant, and Healthcare pathways. Students earn credits toward Early Childhood Assistant Certification, Medical Assistant Certificate, and Medical Office Administrative Assistant Certificate.
• Community College of AuroracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for the Behavioral Health pathway, providing credits toward the Behavioral Health Assistant Certification Program.
• Woodward (Industry Partner)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner supporting the Career Tech Center, appearing in the industry partners section of the PSD Future Ready website to support students in career pathways.
• National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)minorOthersStudents are prepared to participate in NTHS recognition. The CTC is affiliated with NTHS as indicated by the NTHS logo displayed on the website.
• TSA (Technology Students Association)minorOthersStudents in the AI & Mobile Apps pathway are prepared to participate in TSA competitive projects and leadership conferences.
• SkillsUSAminorOthersStudents in Automotive, Aviation, Manufacturing, and Construction pathways are prepared to participate in SkillsUSA competitions and leadership development.
• HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)minorOthersStudents in Behavioral Health and Medical Assistant pathways are prepared to participate in HOSA State Leadership Conference competitions.
• FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)minorOthersStudents in the Early Childhood Education pathway are prepared to participate in FCCLA competitive events and leadership programs.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/psd-futures-lab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 PSD Futures Lab