isteam academy

What isteam academy does

iSTEAM Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 by Edward Yan and Andrew Lu and headquartered at 87 Terrace Hall Avenue, Burlington, Massachusetts. The organization delivers inclusive STEAM and robotics education with its core program being free, hands-on robotics classes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other special needs, using the VEX IQ platform and visual programming tools in small classes with a 1:2 instructor-to-student ratio. Beyond the ASD core, iSTEAM operates the Smart Seniors Initiative delivering AI-assistant and digital-literacy workshops to elderly community members, the Youth Leadership & Volunteer Program training 50+ high school volunteers annually, and the newly launched 2026 iSTEAM Impact Fellowship — a paid 10-month program for ages 14-18 combining STEAM/AI skill-building with Congressional Award preparation.

Its technology stack centers on VEX Robotics platforms (VEX IQ, VEX V5, VEX GO, VEX AI) and OLLO Robotics kits for hands-on STEM instruction, with AI primarily deployed in two places: the in-development CARS (Cat-like Automated Robot for Socializing) companion robot for autism using AI-based feedback and progress monitoring, and generative AI / AI assistant tools taught within the Impact Fellowship and Smart Seniors curricula. iSTEAM is the largest VEX Robotics event organizer in Massachusetts, an official REC Foundation partner, and has hosted 24+ regional competitions including the 2024-25 State Championship with 48+ teams and 500+ participants. Other programs include the RoboQuest Challenge for ages 6-12 and the annual "From the Star" Charity Concert, which raised $15,000 for autism research in April 2025.

The business model is donation-and-sponsorship-driven, typical of a community 501(c)(3): primary inflows are charitable contributions, corporate sponsorship tiers ranging from $300 (Professional Sponsor) to $10,000 (Title Sponsor) tied to events, and foundation grants (Community Endowment of Lexington is named). The 2026 Impact Fellowship at $1,000/year is the organization's first sustained fee-for-service revenue line, complemented by competition sponsorship. Go-to-market is community-led via direct website enrollment, partnerships with schools (Cotting School, Nashoba Learning Group), healthcare institutions (Massachusetts General Hospital), senior centers (Rainbow, Lexington), libraries (Roslindale), and event-driven recruitment through recurring robotics tournaments. The organization is privately held with no external institutional investors and is governed by its founders and a board dominated by Lexington/Greater Boston residents.

Name

isteam academy

Legal name

iSTEAM Academy Inc.

Website

https://isteamacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Short description

iSTEAM Academy is a Burlington, Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that delivers free STEAM and robotics education to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and digital literacy workshops to seniors, and operates as the largest VEX Robotics event organizer in Massachusetts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit STEAM & Robotics Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Functioning & Behavioral Support Tools (ADHD, SEL/Behavior Tracking, Routines) (EDAFAKAG), Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI), AI & Emerging Technology Literacy (EDAAAIAJ)

Keywords

• Robotics education
• STEAM programs
• Special needs education
• Youth STEM programs
• Robotics competition hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, iSTEAM Academy relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and community foundations to fund free robotics education for special needs students.
2. Impact Fellowship Tuition: 10-month structured fellowship program for students ages 14-18 at $1,000/year, combining public service, STEAM/AI skill-building, and mentorship culminating in Congressional Award.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Competition sponsorship tiers ranging from $300 Professional Sponsor to $10,000 Title Sponsor, providing brand visibility at robotics events and year-round website recognition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

iSTEAM Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers hands-on STEAM and robotics education programs using VEX IQ, VEX V5, VEX GO, and OLLO robotics platforms. Its core offering is free robotics classes specifically designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), delivered with a 1:2 instructor-to-student ratio at its Burlington, MA facility and partner locations. The organization also hosts VEX robotics competitions, runs a Smart Seniors tech literacy program, a youth volunteer program, and a paid Impact Fellowship for high school students.

Product overview

iSTEAM Academy operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing inclusive STEAM education centered on robotics. The core offering is its free STEAM Robotics Education for Children with ASD using the VEX IQ platform and visual programming tools, supplemented by VEX GO and OLLO Robotics design programs for younger students. iSTEAM also hosts VEX Robotics Competitions (including as official Massachusetts State Championship organizer), the RoboQuest Challenge for special education and young students, VEX AI Workshops, and the paid 2026 iSTEAM Impact Fellowship for ages 14-18. Community programs include Smart Seniors technology workshops and a Youth Leadership & Volunteer Program. Research initiatives include the CARS AI communication robot. The organization functions as a program-and-events portfolio rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STEAM Robotics Education for Children with ASD Free hands-on robotics education program using VEX IQ platform and visual programming tools, specifically designed for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and special needs. Features 1:2 instructor-to-student ratio, focused on fine motor skills, logical thinking, and social interaction. Over 100 special needs students have participated.
• VEX Robotics Competition Hosting Official organization of Massachusetts VEX Robotics State Championship and 4-8 regional VEX IQ and VEX V5 competitions annually. Events draw 100+ teams and 2,000+ attendees. iSTEAM is an official VEX partner and has organized over 24 regional robotics competitions as REC Foundation event partner.
• RoboQuest Challenge Annual robotics challenge event for students ages 6-12, including a specialized version for special education students. Features themed missions such as the City Technology Rebuild Challenge inspired by disaster relief efforts, where students operate robots to complete tasks on a simulated field. Includes awards ceremony and team-based competition.
• Smart Seniors Program STEAM technology workshops for senior citizens covering smart device operations, wearable health technology, AI assistant tutorials, and practical digital skills. Running bi-weekly from January to June 2025 with 6 events held so far, featuring intergenerational collaboration with youth volunteers.
• Youth Leadership & Volunteer Program Program recruiting 50+ high school volunteers with professional training in ASD education strategies and STEAM teaching methodologies. Community service hours are credited towards volunteer awards and college applications. Empowers young leaders to become tech-driven changemakers.
• 2026 iSTEAM Impact Fellowship A 10-month structured fellowship program for students ages 14-18 combining real-world public service, STEAM/AI skill-building, and dedicated mentorship. Culminates in the Congressional Award and President's AI Award. Features personalized tracks (Teaching, Bio, Robotics, or CS), live online classes with MIT mentors, and project portfolio development. Tuition: $1,000/year.
• VEX AI Workshop In-person workshop during National Robotics Week for high school students and adults (age 14+) with VEX V5 Robotics Competition experience. Covers the VEX AI system and VEX AI competition. Held at Vinci STEAM Educations - Burlington, MA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 special needs students have gained skills, confidence, and growth through tailored programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EA EducationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 April 2025Co-host of 'From the Star' Charity Concert, co-organizing autism research fundraising event with iSTEAM.
• EA MediaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 April 2025Media partner for charity concert event supporting autism awareness.
• Silk Road CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 April 2025Co-host of 'From the Star' Charity Concert at Woburn High School; unites Greater Boston community around autism research.
• Woburn Memorial High SchoolminorOthers · 27 April 2025Event venue host for 'From the Star' Charity Concert.
• VEX Robotics / REC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial VEX partner and organizer of Massachusetts VEX Robotics State Championship. iSTEAM has successfully organized 24+ regional robotics competitions as an official REC Foundation event partner. Hosts VEX IQ and VEX V5 competitions, skills challenges, and scrimmages.
• BrainCocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeuroscience and neurotechnology company partner; BrainCo PM Andrew Bannish participated in iSTEAM's webinar on ASD and STEAM education alongside Dr. Xue-Jun Kong from Beth Israel/Harvard Medical School.
• Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)coreOthersHealthcare institution partner supporting autism research and special needs education initiatives.
• Cotting School & Nashoba Learning GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partners specializing in special needs education; collaborate with iSTEAM on ASD-focused robotics programs.
• Rainbow Senior CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Smart Seniors tech workshop program bringing technology education to elderly community members.
• Roslindale Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for STEAM education initiatives and programs.
• Vinci STEAM EducoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization and co-host of robotics competitions; shares branding and event organization for VEX tournaments. Founded by same leadership as iSTEAM Academy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): FIRST runs the largest K-12 competition robotics ecosystem in the U.S. (FLL, FTC, FRC). iSTEAM's VEX competition hosting and team-development model are directly comparable program structures in the same K-12 robotics education category, often competing for the same students, schools, and sponsors.
• Vinci STEAM Edu: Founded and led by iSTEAM co-founders Edward Yan and Andrew Lu, Vinci STEAM Edu is the explicitly named sister organization that co-hosts robotics competitions and shares branding/operations with iSTEAM. It is the closest functional peer, delivering overlapping STEAM robotics programming under the same founders.

Broad incumbents

• Code.org: Code.org is the largest U.S. nonprofit K-12 computer-science education provider. It is comparable as a nonprofit mission-driven STEAM/CS education organization competing for institutional partnerships, teacher mindshare, and philanthropic dollars in the same school-district channel.
• Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy: The CMU Robotics Academy develops K-12 robotics curriculum, teacher training, and competitions. It is comparable as an established academic peer producing research-backed robotics curricula and certified-training programs that compete for the same educators and grants.
• iD Tech: iD Tech operates paid STEM/AI camps and online programs for K-12 students nationwide. iSTEAM competes for the same families seeking structured STEAM enrichment, though iD Tech's programs are larger-scale, paid, and broader in scope while iSTEAM focuses on free ASD-inclusive offerings.
• REC Foundation / VEX Robotics: The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation is iSTEAM's platform partner and the largest national organizer of VEX IQ, V5, and VEX AI competitions. It is comparable as the incumbent governing body whose events and standards iSTEAM operates within, and the natural competitor and partner for any expanded VEX footprint.

Emerging players

• RobotLAB: RobotLAB provides K-12 robotics curriculum, integration, and competitions for schools and districts. Its delivery model (school-based robotics curriculum + competition prep) overlaps structurally with iSTEAM's school-partnered VEX programming, particularly for special education populations.
• BrainCo: BrainCo is a neurotechnology company and iSTEAM partner that participated in ASD/STEAM education webinars and operates in adjacent assistive neurotechnology. It is comparable as a peer developing brain-computer interface and assistive-tech solutions for special-needs populations.

Regional players

• Cotting School: Cotting School is a Massachusetts special-needs school that is an iSTEAM partner institution. It is comparable as a regional peer operating in the same special-needs education space and sharing student referrals.
• Nashoba Learning Group: Nashoba Learning Group is a Greater Boston autism-education nonprofit that partners with iSTEAM. It is a comparable regional peer in the ASD-specialized education segment and a co-developer of iSTEAM's ASD-focused curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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