International Soap Box Derby

What International Soap Box Derby does

The International Soap Box Derby, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Akron, Ohio, founded in 1934 as the official global sanctioning body for Soap Box Derby gravity racing. It serves youth ages 7–20 across four racing divisions (Stock, Super Stock, Masters, and Legacy) plus the National Super Kids Classic for children with disabilities. The organization builds its program around a purpose-engineered 989.4-foot Derby Downs track with three-stage grade declines, official car division build plans, and standardized STEM curriculum.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model: approximately half from individual donations and corporate sponsorships (including the Derby Drivers annual giving club with tiers up to $10,000), with the remainder from e-commerce sales of car kits, parts, and Z-Glas wheels; STEM program fees (GRC team registrations at $85–$100, Summer Camp at $240–$255, Mini Car kits); Race Week event revenue; and Race City licensing fees from nearly 100 sanctioned locations across 13 regions in the US, Canada, and Japan. Go-to-market is event-driven through the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships, supplemented by a community-led licensed Race City network and direct STEM program sales to schools and youth organizations.

The organization operates with 18 employees and complements its racing program with structured education offerings — Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC), Mini Car Program, STEM Summer Camp, and Girls Racing to STEM Workshop — alongside corporate and community events such as the Corporate Derby Challenge and Senior Day at Derby Downs.

Name

International Soap Box Derby

Legal name

International Soap Box Derby, Inc.

Website

https://soapboxderby.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Soap Box Derby is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the official global sanctioning body for youth gravity racing, founded in 1934 and based in Akron, Ohio. It serves youth ages 7–20 through licensed Race City programs, STEM education curricula, and the annual World Championships at Derby Downs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports & STEM Education

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsports Series & Championships (Sanctioned Racing Calendars) (MPAKAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Motorsports Support & Feeder Series (Developmental Championships) (MPAKAGAH)

Keywords

• Youth gravity racing
• STEM education programs
• Soap box derby events
• Licensed race cities
• Car kits and parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

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, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Annual Giving (Derby Drivers): The Derby Drivers annual giving club recognizes sustaining donors at multiple tiers (World Champ $10,000, Masters $5,000, Super Stock $2,500, Stock $1,000). Individual donations and sponsorships fund half of the Derby's annual revenue supporting Race City development, STEM expansion, capital improvements, and programming.
2. E-commerce Sales (Parts, Kits, Merchandise): The organization operates an online store selling car kits (Stock, Super Stock, Masters, Legacy), parts, Z-Glas racing wheels, weights, and merchandise. One-time product sales to racers and families.
3. STEM Education Program Fees: GRC STEM Team Competition registration fees ($85-$100 per team depending on volume), STEM Summer Camp ($240-$255 per child), and Mini Car program kit sales to schools and youth organizations.
4. Event Revenue: Race Week generates revenue through participant registrations, merchandise tent sales, and associated events including Corporate Derby Challenge team fees.
5. Licensed Partner Fees: Race City organizations become licensed partners to host sanctioned Soap Box Derby programs. Application process is required to start a new program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The International Soap Box Derby is a non-profit youth gravity racing program that sells car kits, parts, and merchandise, and operates sanctioned local and world championship races for youth ages 7-20. It also delivers STEM education programs (GRC, Mini Car, Summer Camp, Girls Racing to STEM) and serves as the official sanctioning body for nearly 100 licensed race cities worldwide.

Product overview

The International Soap Box Derby is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization offering a portfolio of programs centered around youth gravity racing. The core offering is the Soap Box Derby Racing Program, which includes four racing divisions (Stock, Super Stock, Masters, and Legacy) for youth ages 7-20. Racers build their own cars from purchasable kits and compete through Local Race Programs and the year-round Rally Race Program to qualify for the annual FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. Complementing the racing program is a growing Education Division that includes the Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC) STEM Team Competitions, the Mini Car Program for classroom use, STEM Summer Camp, and the Girls Racing to STEM Workshop. Additional offerings include the National Super Kids Classic for children with disabilities, the Bill Speeg Memorial Scholarship Fund for World Championship finishers, and corporate/community events like the Corporate Derby Challenge and Senior Day.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC): STEM-based team competition program for students in grades 3-12
• National Super Kids Classic
• Derby Downs
• Derby Drivers
• Girls Racing to STEM
• STEM Summer Camp

Products and services

• Soap Box Derby Racing Program
• Stock Division Car Kits
• Super Stock Division Car Kits
• Masters Division Car Kits
• Legacy Division Car Kits
• National Super Kids Classic
• Gravity Racing Challenge (GRC) STEM Team Competition
• Mini Car Program
• STEM Summer Camp
• Girls Racing to STEM Workshop
• Local Race Program
• Rally Race Program
• FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships
• Bill Speeg Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Corporate Derby Challenge
• Senior Day

Quantifiable outcome

• Top three Local and Rally division finishers at World Championships earn scholarships: 1st place $3,000, 2nd place $2,000, 3rd place $1,000
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• FirstEnergyflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026FirstEnergy is the title sponsor of the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships. The event is officially named the 'FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby' World Championship. FirstEnergy provides critical sponsorship that supports the annual championship event.
• Taylor Made JewelrycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTaylor Made Jewelry provides the World Championship Gold Ring awarded to first-place Local Champions at the World Championships.
• Bobit Business MediacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBobit Business Media presents the Corporate Derby Challenge event at Derby Downs, a corporate team-building racing experience.
• The Hourglass FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Hourglass Foundation partners with Bobit Business Media on the Corporate Derby Challenge as part of their community mission.
• The University of AkroncoreOthersThe University of Akron is listed as a partner/sponsor on the ISBD website. The Hower House Museum tours are offered during Race Week at the University of Akron campus.
• Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAkron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau is a community partner providing Race Week hotel partnerships and local area promotional support.
• Jellystone Park Akron-CantonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJellystone Park Camp-Resort in Uniontown, OH serves as the official partner hotel for Race Week 2026, hosting the Welcome Party and Champions Group Photo for championship participants.
• Timken CompanyminorOthersThe Timken Company provides guest speakers for the Girls Racing to STEM Workshop, exposing participants to STEM career professionals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-soap-box-derby

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 International Soap Box Derby