az cyber initiative
AZ Cyber Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 in Nogales, Arizona that delivers free, multi-stage cybersecurity education and virtual internships to Arizona middle and high school students, primarily in underserved and rural communities, through a college near-peer mentorship model aligned to NIST NICE competencies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersNogales, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What az cyber initiative does
AZ Cyber Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 and headquartered in Nogales, Arizona, that delivers free cybersecurity education and career-pathway programming to Arizona youth, with a primary focus on high school students in underserved, border, rural, and tribal (Navajo Nation) communities. The organization operates an eight-stage pipeline beginning with middle-school CyberSpark outreach and progressing through Introductory Bootcamp, Intermediate Bootcamp, Mentorship (Levels 1-2), 20-Hour Practicum, 50-Hour Virtual Internship, Leadership + Training Internship, and Cyber Bootcamp Coach — a sequence designed to deliver early exposure, sustained engagement, and verifiable work experience. Curriculum is mapped to the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (443 competencies) and the CompTIA/America Succeeds Durable Skills Framework (62 skills), and is delivered through hands-on platforms including TryHackMe, CyberSkyline, Splunk, Wireshark, and Python.
A distinctive virtual-internship model is purpose-built for minors, removing physical-presence, dedicated-supervision, and security-clearance barriers that normally block employer internships for underage students; student teams deliver real cybersecurity projects for public-sector employer partners (Vail USD, Sunnyside USD, City of Tucson, Santa Cruz County) under remote mentorship and Work-Based Learning Alliance infrastructure. Programs are delivered in person at college campuses across Arizona (University of Arizona, Pima Community College, Arizona Western College, Glendale Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Cochise College, Rio Salado College) and via Zoom-based virtual mentorship. Across nine Arizona counties, the organization has served 1,089+ students with 49 bootcamps since 2020, reporting a 99% retention/completion rate, 91% career-choice influence, 93% confidence gain, and 96% recommendation rate.
Revenue is derived from individual donations (amplified by Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization tax-credit eligibility, QCO Code 22936), corporate sponsorships from RTX, Axon, Comcast, Intuit, APS, and South32, foundation grants (Thomas R. Brown Foundation, HS Lopez Family Foundation), and federal and state grants including a 2025 NIST RAMPS award and U.S. Department of Labor support. Go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven — school-district, higher-education, employer, and community-organization referrals — with no paid advertising; demand is organic and exceeds capacity, evidenced by 487 applications for 288 bootcamp seats in 2025 (69% unmet demand). The core operational team is approximately six people (Founder & CEO Manuel Felix, Chief of Staff, Program Manager, Creative Director, Program Coordinator, plus paid college Leadership + Training Interns), with national scaling routed through the separately created US Cyber Initiative subsidiary.
az cyber initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- az cyber initiative
- Legal name
- AZ Cyber Initiative
- Website
- https://azcyber.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- AZ Cyber Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 in Nogales, Arizona that delivers free, multi-stage cybersecurity education and virtual internships to Arizona middle and high school students, primarily in underserved and rural communities, through a college near-peer mentorship model aligned to NIST NICE competencies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
az cyber initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC), Cybersecurity (Digital Safety, Ethical Hacking Basics) (EDAMACAH), Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), General Cybersecurity Awareness (All Employees) (EDABAGAA)
Keywords
Where az cyber initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nogales
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
az cyber initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting free cybersecurity education. AZ Cyber is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 84-4243833) and Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO Code: 22936) enabling dollar-for-dollar Arizona state tax credits for donors.
- Federal and State Grants: NIST RAMPS (Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate) grant funding for regional coalition building. Awarded as one of 15 organizations nationally in 2025, the only RAMPS recipient in Arizona.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from employer partners including RTX, Axon, Comcast, Intuit, APS, South32, and others. Sponsorship packets available for custom partnership opportunities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Free programs with completion stipends for students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
az cyber initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AZ Cyber Initiative delivers free cybersecurity education, mentorship, and career pathway programs for Arizona youth from middle school through college. The organization runs week-long bootcamps, virtual internships, and a near-peer mentorship model, funded entirely through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Programs are standards-aligned to the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and CompTIA Durable Skills.
Product overview
AZ Cyber Initiative offers a comprehensive cybersecurity education pipeline consisting of eight interconnected programs. The journey begins with CyberSpark (middle school outreach), progresses through Introduction to Cyber Bootcamp ($150 stipend) and Intermediate Cyber Bootcamp ($250 stipend, featuring Splunk and Wireshark training), then continues with Mentorship Level 1 and Level 2 (including Google Cybersecurity Certificate). Students can advance to the 20-Hour Practicum ($300 stipend with IBM SkillsBuild), 50-Hour Virtual Internship ($750 stipend), Leadership + Training Internship (paid college position), and Cyber Bootcamp Coach role. The organization also leads the NIST-funded Southern Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance (RAMPS) initiative. All programs are free for students, aligned to NIST NICE Framework (443 competencies) and CompTIA Durable Skills (62 skills). Founded in 2020 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- US Cyber Initiative: National expansion initiative offering students and educators access to Cyber Bootcamps in communities throughout the country.
Products and services
- CyberSpark Middle school outreach program introducing students in grades 6-8 and their parents to cybersecurity, technology, AI, and STEM careers through short, high-energy, hands-on workshops. Entry point of the AZ Cyber career development lifecycle.
- Introduction to Cyber Bootcamp Week-long introductory bootcamp for rising 9th-12th grade students covering cybersecurity fundamentals, AI, and digital safety. Includes a $150 completion stipend and uses TryHackMe and CyberSkyline platforms for hands-on learning.
- Intermediate Cyber Bootcamp Advanced week-long bootcamp covering cryptography, malware analysis, SIEM tools (Splunk), network analysis (Wireshark), and Python scripting. Includes a field trip to a real Security Operations Center and a $250 completion stipend.
- Mentorship Program Two-level virtual near-peer mentorship program for bootcamp graduates. Level 1 covers resume building, interview prep, and career planning over six weekly 45-minute Zoom sessions. Level 2 is selective continuation working toward the Google Cybersecurity Certificate.
- Leadership + Training Internship Paid internship for college students to lead cybersecurity bootcamps and mentor high school students. Develops technical, professional, and leadership capabilities through hands-on teaching experience.
- Cyber Bootcamp Coach Advanced leadership role for experienced Leadership + Training Interns to lead bootcamp sessions independently, mentor newer interns, and contribute to curriculum development.
- 20-Hour Practicum Pre-internship program where students spend 10 hours on IBM SkillsBuild professional development and 10 hours coaching CyberSpark events. Includes a $300 learner stipend.
- 50-Hour Virtual Internship Remote cybersecurity internship where student teams complete real cybersecurity projects for public sector employer partners under coordinator supervision with weekly employer mentorship. Includes a $750 learner stipend.
- Southern Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance (RAMPS) NIST RAMPS-funded regional initiative connecting high school students to real cybersecurity careers through employer partnerships, industry certifications, and virtual internships across Southern Arizona. Led by AZ Cyber Initiative in coalition with Pima County School Superintendent's Office, University of Arizona, and Pima Community College.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% report career choice was influenced by the program
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use az cyber initiative
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
az cyber initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
az cyber initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.
- Jobs for the Future (JFF)coreAZ Cyber was selected as one of 12 organizations nationally for JFF's Inquiry into Building Regional Skills-First Ecosystems, a research initiative examining skills-based workforce economies with potential implementation funding from Walmart. AZ Cyber represents Arizona and California.
- NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)coreAZ Cyber Initiative received a NIST RAMPS (Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate) grant, one of 15 awarded nationally in 2025 and the only one in Arizona. The grant funds the Southern Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance, a regional coalition building sustainable cybersecurity talent pipelines through employer-educator-community partnerships.
- University of ArizonacoreHigher education partner providing campus venues for bootcamps and hosting hundreds of motivated high school prospects. Riley McIsaac from UA serves as Board Advisor. Partnership connects students to cybersecurity programs and career services.
- Pima Community CollegecoreHigher education partner in the Southern Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance. Hosts bootcamp sessions and provides pathways for students pursuing cybersecurity degrees and certifications.
- Arizona Western CollegecoreHigher education partner hosting bootcamp sessions in Yuma region. Serves students from Yuma and La Paz counties with pathways to cybersecurity education and careers.
- Glendale Community CollegesupportingHigher education partner hosting Phoenix-area bootcamps. Provides facilities for program delivery in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
- Chandler-Gilbert Community CollegesupportingHigher education partner hosting bootcamp sessions in the East Valley Phoenix area, expanding geographic reach for program delivery.
- Rio Salado CollegesupportingHigher education partner contributing to the regional alliance, expanding options for students seeking cybersecurity pathways.
- Cochise CollegesupportingHigher education partner serving Cochise County communities, including Sierra Vista bootcamp delivery location.
- Vail School DistrictcoreK-12 employer partner in the RAMPS alliance. Co-designs internship projects with AZ Cyber and provides remote mentorship for student interns.
- Sunnyside Unified School DistrictcoreK-12 employer partner in the RAMPS alliance hosting virtual internships. Sunnyside USD students have participated in CyberSpark events.
- City of TucsoncoreGovernment employer partner hosting 50-hour virtual internships. Students deliver real cybersecurity work products for the city under remote mentorship.
- Santa Cruz CountycoreCounty government partner in the Southern Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance. Provides employer mentorship and internship hosting for students.
- Chinle Public SchoolscoreTribal school district partner serving Navajo Nation communities. Hosts bootcamp sessions in Chinle, AZ, expanding reach to rural and tribal communities.
- RTX (Raytheon Technologies)majorFortune 500 employer partner supporting AZ Cyber programs. Pete Kim, Executive Director of Cyber Security Operations at RTX, serves on the Board of Directors.
- AxonmajorEmployer partner and corporate sponsor. Jenner Holden, CIO at Axon, serves on the Board of Directors. Axon professionals participate as guest speakers and mentors.
- South32supportingIndustry partner in the RAMPS alliance providing mentorship and internship opportunities for students in Southern Arizona.
- ComcastsupportingCorporate partner supporting AZ Cyber programs through sponsorship and potential guest speaking, mentoring, and internship opportunities.
- IntuitsupportingCorporate partner contributing to the ecosystem of employers supporting cybersecurity workforce development.
- Arizona Public Service (APS)supportingArizona utility company partner supporting cybersecurity education and workforce development in the state.
- Elevate SouthwestsupportingNonprofit partner that has hosted internships leading to career placements. Bootcamp graduate Adrian was hired as Computer Specialist after interning with Elevate Southwest.
- Center for the Future of ArizonacoreStrategic partner in the Southern Arizona Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance, contributing to regional workforce development planning and research.
- Pima County School Superintendent's OfficecoreEducation partner leading the RAMPS alliance alongside AZ Cyber Initiative, coordinating county-wide K-12 engagement in cybersecurity education.
- Work-Based Learning Alliance (WBLA)supportingPlatform partner providing the infrastructure for structured employer-supervised virtual internships with verified work experience documentation.
- SciTech InstitutesupportingCommunity partner collaborating on STEM education initiatives and cybersecurity workforce development across Arizona.
- CYBER.ORGsupportingNational cybersecurity education organization partner working to expand cybersecurity awareness and career pathways.
- U.S. Department of LaborsupportingFederal agency partner supporting workforce development initiatives through funding and program recognition.
- Arizona Department of Homeland SecuritysupportingState agency partner supporting cybersecurity education and workforce development in Arizona.
- US Cyber InitiativecoreNational expansion of AZ Cyber's model, offering students and educators access to Cyber Bootcamps in communities throughout the country. Manuel Felix founded both organizations.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
az cyber initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CYBER.ORG: National K-12 cybersecurity education nonprofit delivering free curricula, educator training, and student programs. Listed as an AZ Cyber partner and operates the most directly comparable national-scale model.
- US Cyber Initiative: National expansion arm created by AZ Cyber's founder to scale bootcamps beyond Arizona. Operationally and structurally identical to AZ Cyber, serving as the vehicle for the parent nonprofit's national replication.
- CyberPatriot (Air & Space Forces Association): National youth cyber defense competition and education program run by the Air & Space Forces Association. Comparable in targeting high school students with cybersecurity competitions and career pathways.
- NPower: National nonprofit providing free IT and cybersecurity training to young adults from underserved communities. Closely aligned workforce-development model and target demographic with paid stipend structure.
- Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free technology training (including cybersecurity tracks) for adults from underrepresented backgrounds. Comparable model of free training, employer partnerships, and career placement.
- Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit offering training and corporate internships to young adults from underserved communities. Comparable in structure (training + employer-hosted experience) though broader than cybersecurity.
Emerging players
- Girls Who Code: National nonprofit running free coding/cyber programs for high school girls. Similar model of free, partnership-driven, near-peer-instructor programming targeting underrepresented youth.
- National Cyber League (NCL): Cybersecurity skills competition and talent pipeline for high school and college students. Comparable target population and platform (CyberSkyline is also used by AZ Cyber).
Broad incumbents
- Code.org: Largest K-12 computer science education nonprofit, with cybersecurity-adjacent curriculum. Broader in scope but competes for the same K-12 district partnerships and donor dollars.
Others
- IBM SkillsBuild: Free digital credentials and cybersecurity training platform used by AZ Cyber students in the 20-Hour Practicum. Enables the curriculum but is adjacent rather than competitive.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
az cyber initiative social profiles
Digital presenceaz cyber initiative compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
az cyber initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
az cyber initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
az cyber initiative subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
az cyber initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
az cyber initiative 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 az cyber initiative
What does az cyber initiative do?
AZ Cyber Initiative delivers free cybersecurity education, mentorship, and career pathway programs for Arizona youth from middle school through college. The organization runs week-long bootcamps, virtual internships, and a near-peer mentorship model, funded entirely through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Programs are standards-aligned to the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and CompTIA Durable Skills.
Is az cyber initiative a public or private company?
az cyber initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was az cyber initiative founded?
az cyber initiative was founded in 2020.
Where is az cyber initiative based?
az cyber initiative is headquartered in Nogales, United States, in the North America region.
How does az cyber initiative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are federal and State Grants and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are az cyber initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CYBER.ORG, US Cyber Initiative, CyberPatriot (Air & Space Forces Association), NPower, Per Scholas and Year Up. Emerging players are Girls Who Code and National Cyber League (NCL). Code.org is listed as a broad incumbent. IBM SkillsBuild is listed as an others.
Does az cyber initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for az cyber initiative.
What industry is az cyber initiative in?
az cyber initiative's product category is Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAF, Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAPAC, Cybersecurity. Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.