Tech25
Tech25 is a 501c3 non-profit vocational training center in Pittsburgh that delivers tuition-free, pay-what-you-want programs and manufacturer-recognized certifications in event production, broadcast technology, and media arts, serving adult students and Pittsburgh-area youth.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tech25 does
Tech25 is a 501c3 non-profit vocational training organization founded in 2019 and headquartered at 25 Carrick Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. The organization delivers tuition-free, pay-what-you-want programs in event production, broadcast technology, and media arts — covering audio engineering, lighting design, video production, DJing, music production, and virtual production. Tech25 operates a 4,500 sq ft performance and training theater outfitted with industry-standard equipment (Allen & Heath D-Live consoles, ETC and Obsidian lighting systems, RFC Line Array speakers, Black Magic cameras with PTZ operations, Ableton Live) and recently added a virtual production studio built on Qimera.TV and ENCO broadcast technology.
Tech25 runs three program layers: adult technical training programs (Stagehand Basics, Audio & Live Sound, Lighting, Video, DJ Training, Music Production, Sync Licensing, Lab Hours), a professional workshop series delivering manufacturer-recognized certifications (ETC 3 Day Training, Allen & Heath dLive, Dante, Obsidian, SMAART, Shure, Yamaha, Avolites, Ableton), and a youth track (Gear Labs after-school program, Warhol x Tech25 Teen DJ Academy in partnership with The Andy Warhol Museum, GAP Year Apprenticeship, Learn & Earn Summer Program). The organization reports serving 700+ students and technicians annually, placing 350+ into employment, facilitating 150+ industry certifications, and reaching 1,500+ youth through school and community partnerships.
The business model is non-profit philanthropy: revenue is generated primarily through institutional grants (AVIXA Foundation, Norfolk Southern, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation), individual donations, and voluntary pay-what-you-want student contributions. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on employer partnerships (20+ named partners including IATSE Local 3), direct school and youth organization outreach, social media presence (Instagram, LinkedIn, Discord, YouTube, TikTok, Bluesky, Threads), and a Gig Alert newsletter that connects graduates to event production employment opportunities across the greater Pittsburgh region.
Tech25 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tech25
- Legal name
- Tech25
- Website
- https://tech25.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tech25 is a 501c3 non-profit vocational training center in Pittsburgh that delivers tuition-free, pay-what-you-want programs and manufacturer-recognized certifications in event production, broadcast technology, and media arts, serving adult students and Pittsburgh-area youth.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tech25 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Training Services
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technology & Software (EDABALAZ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electronics Technician Training (Analog/Digital) (EDAOABAG), Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)
Keywords
Where Tech25 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tech25 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: As a 501c3 non-profit organization, Tech25 operates primarily through donations and grant funding. The organization mentions receiving grants from AVIXA Foundation, Norfolk Southern, Richard King Mellon Foundation, and Henry L. Hillman Foundation.
- Pay-What-You-Want Tuition: Programs are designed to be tuition-free with a pay-what-you-want model where students contribute what they can afford. This helps sustain the program and continues the pay-it-forward model for others in need.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Access for All - Tuition-Free Training |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Tech25 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tech25 is a non-profit vocational training center that provides hands-on programs, workshops, and industry certifications in event production, broadcast technology, and media arts. Offerings span audio engineering, lighting design, video production, DJing, music production (Ableton Live), and virtual production, supported by apprenticeship, youth, and employer placement programs. Training is delivered tuition-free on a pay-what-you-want model.
Product overview
Tech25 is an event production and broadcast industry training center serving Pittsburgh, PA and the surrounding region. The organization operates as a unified training platform offering multiple interconnected programs including Stagehand Basics, Audio & Live Sound, DJ Training, Music Production, Sync Licensing, Ableton Live Training, Lighting, and Video programs. These programs are complemented by open Lab Hours for hands-on practice and a comprehensive Workshops series that provides industry certifications (ETC, Allen & Heath dLive, Dante, Obsidian, Shure, etc.) and continuing education credits. For youth, Tech25 offers Gear Labs (free after-school creative program) and the Teen DJ Academy in partnership with The Andy Warhol Museum. The organization maintains industry partnerships with major manufacturers (ETC, Obsidian, Ableton, Allen & Heath, Martin Audio, Yamaha, Qimera/ENCO, RCF, Pangolin) and employer connections facilitating job placement for graduates. Tech25 operates on a tuition-free, pay-what-you-want model to ensure accessibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gear Labs: Free after-school creative program for Pittsburgh area teens covering digital mixing boards, lighting, DJing, video production, and Ableton production.
- Warhol x Tech25 Teen DJ Academy
Products and services
- Stagehand Basics Entry-level training program for stagehand fundamentals and live event production basics, designed for individuals beginning careers in live event production.
- Audio & Live Sound Comprehensive audio engineering and live sound training for careers in event production and commercial broadcasting.
- DJ Training Professional DJ training covering equipment mastery, live performance techniques, and music mixing.
- Music Production Music production training including Ableton Live basics, beat-making with Push 3, and multitrack mixing.
- Sync Licensing Training program covering music synchronization licensing for film, TV, and media.
- Lighting Event lighting design and operation training using professional lighting equipment and control systems such as ETC and Obsidian.
- Video Video production and PTZ camera operations training for event documentation and broadcast.
- Lab Hours Open lab access for students to practice on professional audio, video, lighting, and DJ equipment.
- Gear Labs Free after-school creative program for Pittsburgh area teens covering digital mixing boards, lighting, DJing, video production, and Ableton production.
- Teen DJ Academy (Warhol x Tech25) 12-week hands-on DJ workshop for teens ages 13-18, co-presented with The Andy Warhol Museum, including stipend for participants.
- GAP Year Apprenticeship Paid apprenticeship program for young adults seeking careers in event technology.
- Industry Certification Workshops Professional workshops delivering industry certifications and continuing education credits, including ETC 3 Day Training, Allen & Heath dLive Certification, Avolites Titan V18 Console Training, Rational Acoustics SMAART Operator Fundamentals, Audio Technica Wireless Microphone Technology, Dante Certification, Obsidian Lighting Control Level 1 & 2 Training, and other manufacturer-led courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 700+ students and technicians served annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Tech25
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Tech25 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Tech25 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- ETCcoreEquipment partnership providing lighting technology training and certifications. ETC is a major lighting control manufacturer, and Tech25 offers ETC 3 Day Training workshops with ETC-certified curriculum.
- ObsidiancoreLighting control partnership providing equipment and training for Obsidian lighting consoles. Tech25 offers Obsidian Lighting Control Level 1 & 2 Training certifications.
- AbletoncoreMusic production software partnership providing Ableton Live training and certifications. Programs include Ableton Live Basics, Making Beats With Push 3 & Ableton Live, and Ableton User Group Meetups.
- Minuit UnecoreEquipment partnership providing IF4 waterproof LED video system for mobile visual experiences. Tech25 offers Minuit Une Demo workshops.
- ENCO & Qimera TVcoreVirtual production studio partnership outfitted with Qimera.TV and ENCO technology for broadcast and virtual production training.
- Allen & HeathcoreAudio equipment partnership providing D-Live certification training for digital mixing consoles.
- The Andy Warhol MuseumflagshipCo-presented Warhol x Tech25 Teen DJ Academy Program - a 12-week hands-on workshop for teens ages 13-18 at The Pop District's Print Lounge. Supported by Richard King Mellon Foundation and Henry L. Hillman Foundation.
- IATSE Local 3flagshipLabor union partnership connecting Tech25 graduates with stagehand and event production employment opportunities through the Gig Alert newsletter system.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tech25 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Full Sail University: Accredited for-profit institution offering degrees in audio engineering, music production, film, and entertainment technology — comparable curriculum focus to Tech25 but delivered via degree programs with federal financial aid eligibility.
- SAE Institute: Global provider of audio engineering, music production, film, and game development education; directly comparable to Tech25's curriculum in Ableton, audio mixing, and broadcast technology training.
- Berklee Online: Online arm of Berklee College of Music delivering music production, DJ performance, and audio engineering instruction; comparable in music production training (Ableton, beat-making) but delivered remotely at scale.
- The Los Angeles Film School: For-profit school offering programs in audio, film, music production, and entertainment technology with industry equipment; overlaps with Tech25's video production, broadcast, and music production offerings.
- Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS): Specialized audio engineering and music production school; closely comparable to Tech25's Audio & Live Sound, Multitrack Mixing, and Ableton curriculum.
- IATSE Training & Education Center: Union-affiliated training center for stagehands and entertainment technicians, directly comparable to Tech25 in delivering hands-on AV/stagecraft training with direct employer placement pathways into the live events industry.
Regional players
- Pittsburgh Technical College: Regional accredited technical college in the same Pittsburgh market offering technology and trade-focused programs; comparable in technical-vocational training mission but with broader (non-entertainment) curriculum focus.
- Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama: Pittsburgh-based degree-granting program covering design, production, and technology for theater and entertainment; comparable in serving the technical theater workforce pipeline but at the accredited degree level.
- Point Park University (Conservatory of Performing Arts): Pittsburgh-based university with strong performing arts, dance, and theater programs feeding into the same local entertainment industry ecosystem where Tech25 places graduates.
Emerging players
- Penn Foster: Online vocational and trade school offering self-paced career programs; a partial competitor for working-adult learners seeking flexible technical credentials outside traditional entertainment verticals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tech25 social profiles
Digital presenceTech25 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tech25 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Tech25 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tech25 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tech25
What does Tech25 do?
Tech25 is a non-profit vocational training center that provides hands-on programs, workshops, and industry certifications in event production, broadcast technology, and media arts. Offerings span audio engineering, lighting design, video production, DJing, music production (Ableton Live), and virtual production, supported by apprenticeship, youth, and employer placement programs. Training is delivered tuition-free on a pay-what-you-want model.
Is Tech25 a public or private company?
Tech25 is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tech25 founded?
Tech25 was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tech25 based?
Tech25 is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tech25 make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are pay-What-You-Want Tuition.
Who are Tech25's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Full Sail University, SAE Institute, Berklee Online, The Los Angeles Film School, Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS) and IATSE Training & Education Center. Regional players are Pittsburgh Technical College, Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama and Point Park University (Conservatory of Performing Arts). Penn Foster is listed as an emerging player.
Does Tech25 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tech25.
What industry is Tech25 in?
Tech25's product category is Vocational Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABALAZ, Technology & Software, with a secondary code of EDAOABAG, Electronics Technician Training (Analog/Digital). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.