What Uplift does

Uplift, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that delivers out-of-school STEAM+CS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and Computer Science) education programs to K-12 students, with a particular focus on students of color and underrepresented communities in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The organization operates face-to-face classes covering computer programming, app development, engineering, robotics (including Lego MindStorm), electronics, game design and development, and animation/illustration, delivered through partnerships with schools (Tree of Life Community Public Charter School, Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School), universities (Howard University CLDC, George Mason University), and community organizations (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Girl Scout Troop 5033).

Uplift's product portfolio includes several technology-driven offerings: Myles & Ayesha (AI-powered digital learning companions featuring animation, apps, and interactive activities), UrbanKid (a game design and development program in pre-launch), Water Drops (an educational mobile app published to Google Play), and the Youth APPLab program. In July 2021, Uplift integrated the Lab for Artificial Intelligence and its Applications (LAIA), a research laboratory focused on AI applications in education, expanding the organization's technology development capabilities.

The organization is funded through a nonprofit revenue model reliant on tax-deductible donations (processed via PayPal and Network for Good) and grants from foundations including ShareFund DC and The Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation, with no tuition or program fees charged to participants. The organization is led by Founder & Executive Director Leshell Hatley and operates with 1-10 employees. Uplift is independently operated with no parent company or venture backing, and reports having no active monthly donation campaigns as of April 2026.

Name

Uplift

Legal name

Uplift, Inc.

Website

https://thisisuplift.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Uplift is a Washington, DC-based 501c3 nonprofit delivering out-of-school STEAM+CS education, including robotics, app development, and AI-powered learning companions like Myles & Ayesha, to K-12 students with a focus on underrepresented students of color.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 STEAM+CS Education Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive Learning & Personalized Instruction Software (EDAJAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

STEM Assessment, Badging & Competition Platforms (EDAFANAJ)

Keywords

• STEAM education programs
• Computer science instruction
• Robotics education
• AI-powered learning tools
• Out-of-school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individual donors supporting STEAM+CS education programs. Donations are made through PayPal and other online payment methods.
2. Grant Funding: Funding from foundations including ShareFund DC, The Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation, and anonymous donors to support educational programs and curriculum development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Uplift, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit that delivers out-of-school STEAM+CS educational classes and learning technologies for K-12 students. Programs cover computer programming, app development, engineering, robotics, electronics, game design, and animation. The organization also develops proprietary learning technologies such as AI-powered digital learning companions (Myles & Ayesha), mobile educational apps (Water Drops), and game design platforms (UrbanKid).

Product overview

Uplift, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit offering a portfolio of STEAM+CS educational programs and AI-powered learning technologies for K-12 students. The core offerings include hands-on out-of-school classes in robotics (Lego MindStorm), app development, game design, and animation. The organization operates its own AI research lab (LAIA) and develops proprietary learning products including Myles & Ayesha (AI-powered digital learning companions), UrbanKid (game design program), and Water Drops (educational app). Programs emphasize culturally relevant, innovative educational experiences based on student interests and community issues, delivered through team activities, competitions, and internships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UrbanKid: A game design and development program being prepared for launch in Spring, partnered with Howard University CLDC & Yahoo!
• LAIA (The Lab for Artificial Intelligence and its Applications)
• Youth APPLab
• Myles & Ayesha

Products and services

• Myles & Ayesha AI-powered digital learning companions that help K-12 students learn a variety of subjects using animation, apps, and interactive activities with culturally relevant content. Developed by Uplift's Center for Research and Development.
• UrbanKid A game design and development program teaching youth video game creation, being prepared for launch in Spring with input from video game surveys, partnered with Howard University CLDC and Yahoo!.
• Water Drops Educational website, app, and game about the importance of drinking water, developed by SYEP 2013 student participants. Available on Google Play.
• LAIA (Lab for Artificial Intelligence and its Applications) Research laboratory focused on AI and its applications in education, integrated into Uplift, Inc. as of July 2021.
• STEAM+CS Out-of-School Classes Out-of-school educational programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and Computer Science for K-12 students, including face-to-face classes in computer programming, app development, engineering, robotics, electronics, game design, animation and illustration.
• Youth APPLab Program where teens learn to create mobile apps; students have published apps to Google Play including 'Baby Sitting 101' and 'Our Voice Chavez' Suggestion Box App.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 30% of US eighth graders are proficient in math and science; 12% for African-American students (2010 PCAST data cited)

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Howard University - Computer Learning & Design Center (CLDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUplift partnered with Howard University's Computer Learning & Design Center for joint programs including hosting game design competitions and collaborative educational initiatives.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. - Alexandria/Fairfax Alumni ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership formed to establish US First Robotics Competition teams. In 2013 formed 'The Horricanes' team, and in 2014 formed another team that won the US First Research Competition portion.
• Yahoo!supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerYahoo! supported the Spring 2015 Game Design Competition in partnership with Uplift and Howard University CLDC.
• US First Robotics CompetitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUplift participated in US First Robotics Competition by forming teams with community partners, including 'The Horricanes' and a team that won the Research Competition portion in 2014.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Scratch Foundation: Nonprofit supporting the Scratch visual programming platform and community events including Scratch Day. Uplift hosts Scratch Day DC events, operates a Youth APPLab, and uses Scratch-adjacent pedagogy in its STEAM+CS classes.
• Technovation: Nonprofit running app development and AI education programs for girls and underrepresented youth globally. Directly comparable to Uplift in mobile app development curriculum (Youth APPLab), AI learning focus, and underrepresented-student mission.
• Black Girls CODE: Nonprofit delivering computer science and STEAM education to girls of color through out-of-school programs. Directly comparable to Uplift in target demographic (underrepresented students of color), delivery model (community-led out-of-school classes), and STEAM/CS focus.

Emerging players

• Black in AI: Organization promoting diversity and inclusion in AI research and education. Comparable to Uplift's LAIA integration and culturally-relevant AI focus, though Black in AI operates primarily in research/academic pipelines rather than K-12 out-of-school delivery.
• Iridescent: Nonprofit providing STEM and AI literacy education to underserved youth and their families. Comparable to Uplift in mission (underrepresented students in STEAM), out-of-school delivery, and emerging focus on AI education.

Broad incumbents

• FIRST Robotics: Operator of the US FIRST Robotics Competition and related K-12 robotics programs. Uplift's robotics teams (e.g., 'The Horricanes' and the 2014 US First Research Competition winner) directly participate in FIRST's ecosystem.
• MIT App Inventor: MIT-hosted visual programming platform for building mobile apps, used widely in K-12 and community education. Uplift's Youth APPLab uses MIT App Inventor to teach app development, with student apps (e.g., 'Our Voice Chavez') published to Google Play.
• Girls Who Code: Large-scale nonprofit running after-school and summer CS programs aimed at closing the gender gap in technology. Comparable to Uplift in CS education mission and K-12 out-of-school delivery, but operates nationally at significantly greater scale.
• Code.org: Nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in K-12 schools, including curriculum, teacher training, and the Hour of Code. Comparable to Uplift in K-12 CS education mission, though Code.org is a much broader incumbent with national reach.

Regional players

• KIPP DC: Network of public charter schools in Washington, DC serving predominantly low-income students of color. Comparable to Uplift as a regional education provider in DC targeting similar demographics, though KIPP operates schools rather than out-of-school programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UpliftDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/thisisuplift
• Instagraminstagram.com/upliftdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upliftdmv-stem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Uplift