
LaunchCode offers free coding education to people who want to start a new career in tech, but may not have the financial means to do so.
Their programs are designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of their background or financial situation.
LaunchCode has partnered with major companies to provide job guarantees to their graduates, ensuring they have a steady income to support themselves and their families.
By providing free education and job opportunities, LaunchCode is helping to break the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable society.
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What We Do
We provide free, comprehensive computer programming training through part-time classes, including LC101, CoderGirl, CodeCamp, and LiftOff. These programs equip students with in-demand tech skills and prepare them for full-time employment.
Our training courses take candidates from no previous coding experience to proficiency in the skills needed to land their first programming job. We use a flipped classroom model, where students watch video lectures and start assignments outside of class, then use class time to review concepts and work in groups.
We place tech apprentices with local employers seeking tech talent, with over 85% of apprentices converting to full-time employment following on-the-job learning. Our apprenticeship program provides valuable experience and on-the-job training for developers, and we currently maintain partnerships with over 800 active company partners nationwide.
Launch Code Is Free, Hard, Worth It

LaunchCode's comprehensive computer programming training is free to students, and graduates can expect to make $55,000 to $60,000 dollars a year for jobs in St. Louis.
The program is highly competitive, with hundreds of applications for a very small class, and some people apply several times before they get accepted.
Recent graduate Brooke Brown said, “I had zero, like no technical background. The first day I was like, 'What is happening here?'” She had a little college and a lot of retail experience, but now she has a new career in coding.
LaunchCode has trained more than 12,000 students free of charge, and most of them are career changers with a degree in another industry.
The program is difficult, but students have access to team leads who can provide help outside of class, and even when it's not their assigned time, they are available to assist.
LaunchCode's Vice President Leah Freeman said, “Most of our students are what we call career changers. They probably have a degree in another industry.”
Foundation Grants
We're proud of the work we do at LaunchCode, and one key part of that is our foundation grants. We've made grants to support our programs and services, totaling $540,607 in 2023.
One notable grant was made to Launchcode 4811 Delmar Building Owner, which was a transfer to a supporting organization. We also made a grant of $41,667 to Washington University in St. Louis (Wash. U) to support their Measure Skills Gained From Justech Program.
Our grants are an important way for us to support our community and advance our mission. We're committed to making a positive impact through our work.
Here are some details about our grants:
Foundation
The LaunchCode Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the mission of LaunchCode by providing grants to organizations and individuals. The foundation has made significant grants in the past, with one notable example being the $540,607 grant to the 4811 Delmar Building Owner in 2023.
The foundation's personnel is also transparent, with the salaries of its key executives publicly available. For instance, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Ethan Leigh, received a compensation of $112,109 as of 2024-11-15.
Here is a list of some of the foundation's key personnel and their compensation as of 2024:
The foundation also files Form 990s with the IRS, which provide a glimpse into its financial activities and operations. The most recent Form 990 filed by the foundation was for the fiscal year ending 2023-12, which was received by the IRS on 2024-11-15.
Foundation Personnel
The Launchcode Foundation has a team of dedicated personnel working behind the scenes. Julian Nicks serves as the Chief Executive Officer, a position he holds without compensation.
Ethan Leigh is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, earning a salary of $112,109 as of November 15, 2024. Mark Brooks, a Board Member, does not receive compensation for his role.
Carlin Brent's role as Chief Commercial Officer comes with a salary of $154,701, as of June 26, 2024. Lin Wang, the Chief Program Officer, earns $121,372 as of November 1, 2024.
Here is a list of the foundation's key personnel, along with their titles and compensation:
Foundation Financials
The Launchcode Foundation has seen a significant decrease in total revenues over the past year, with a drop of 22.2% from $18,627,077 in 2022 to $14,490,438 in 2023.
Program services revenue has also decreased by 21.2% from $15,125,219 in 2022 to $11,923,062 in 2023.
However, investment income and dividends have seen a substantial increase of 227.8% from $101,288 in 2022 to $332,001 in 2023, which is a notable contrast to the overall decline in revenue.
Here's a breakdown of the Launchcode Foundation's total revenues over the past two years:
The Launchcode Foundation's Form 990s are publicly available, providing a detailed look at the organization's financials over the years.
Who We Serve
LaunchCode serves individuals from all walks of life, with a focus on marginalized genders in tech, including women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals.
Their education program, Women+, offers free training and career development to equip participants with technical and career-readiness skills.
Skill tracks include Data Analysis, Salesforce, SQL Server, Product, Java Web Development, and C#/.NET Web Development, with classes meeting once-weekly in a 3-hour evening class.
LaunchCode also strives to provide pathways for individuals to launch their careers in tech, with program participants typically doubling their salaries after completing their comprehensive tech training.
The organization has helped launch more than 2,000 careers and educated thousands more since its founding in 2013.
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Women+
LaunchCode's Women+ program is designed to engage and educate women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals in the local technology community.
Participants enroll in either a 24- or 45-week specialized skill track that meets once-weekly in a 3-hour evening class.
Classes are designed to equip LaunchCoders with technical and career-readiness skills leading to our free apprenticeship job program.
The skill tracks include Data Analysis, Salesforce, SQL Server, Product, Java Web Development, and C#/.NET Web Development.
You can review the details for upcoming cohorts under registration at launchcode.org/women-plus.
People
We're proud to be creating accessible pathways to tech careers through our free tech education and apprenticeship job placement with over 300 company partners. This approach has helped launch more than 2,000 careers since our founding in 2013.
We know that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. That's why our programs are designed to level the playing field for those traditionally excluded from tech careers.
Program participants typically double their salaries after completing our comprehensive tech training, which is a huge boost for their financial stability and future prospects.
Training and Enrollment
We're proud to say that thousands of individuals have enrolled in our comprehensive computer programming training. This has allowed us to make a meaningful impact on the tech industry and the lives of our students.
Our training model focuses on developing foundational technical skills, passion, drive, and aptitude, rather than relying on credentials. This approach has helped us identify and nurture talent that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.
By ditching the traditional model, we've been able to open doors and remove barriers, creating a more diverse and resilient talent pool. This, in turn, has led to the development of high-performing teams that produce better products and services for customers.
Non-Binary Enrollment in Computer Programming Training
Non-binary individuals are welcome to join LaunchCode's comprehensive computer programming training, which is dedicated to providing a supportive community for women of all skill levels to learn to code.
The training is open to anyone who wants to learn to code, regardless of their background or identity.
Computer Programming Training Enrollment
At LaunchCode, we've made it our mission to develop talent in a way that's different from the traditional model. Our comprehensive computer programming training has enrolled thousands of individuals, providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the tech industry.
Our unique approach focuses on foundational technical skills, passion, drive, and aptitude, rather than credentials. This allows us to tap into a larger, more resilient, and more diverse talent pool.
By ditching the outdated model, we're able to unlock fresh perspectives that transform tech teams. Our diverse teams perform better, attract and retain more talent, and produce better products and services for customers.
Our free tech education and contract-to-hire apprenticeship model is generating a new pool of talent, and it's working.
Impact and Goals
LaunchCode is on a mission to build a skilled workforce by creating pathways for driven people seeking careers in technology. They aim to level the playing field by providing education and employment programs that create equitable access to tech careers.
Since its founding in 2013, LaunchCode has helped launch over 2,475 tech careers nationwide. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the organization's goal of addressing the critical talent shortage faced by companies.
LaunchCode knows that access to education is key to launching people into tech careers with family-supporting wages. They provide no-charge comprehensive computer programming training through part-time classes, including LC101, CoderGirl, CodeCamp, and LiftOff.
Organization's Goal
LaunchCode's organization goal is to create equitable access to tech career opportunities for individuals who lack traditional credentials.
They aim to build a skilled workforce by creating pathways for driven people seeking careers in technology.
The organization was founded in 2013 by Entrepreneur Jim McKelvey to address the lack of equitable access to tech career opportunities and the critical talent shortage faced by companies.
A staggering 1.2 million open jobs in Information Technology are expected by 2024, with at least half a million open IT positions going unfilled in the U.S. during any given calendar quarter.
LaunchCode provides a continuum of free computer programming training that builds in-demand tech skills and places tech apprentices with local employers seeking tech talent.
This approach helps level the playing field, not just to expand access, but to create equitable access to tech careers.
Estimated Revenue & Valuation
LaunchCode has made significant strides in its revenue and valuation.
The estimated annual revenue is currently $44.4M per year. This is a substantial figure that reflects the company's growth and success.
LaunchCode's revenue per employee is estimated to be $154,000. This is a testament to the company's efficient use of resources and its ability to generate revenue from each employee.
The estimated revenue per employee is a key metric that highlights LaunchCode's financial health and stability.
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Demographics and Statistics
LaunchCode's demographics are a testament to its commitment to serving diverse communities. The organization's leader identifies as a woman, highlighting the importance of women in leadership roles.
LaunchCode's staff is comprised of individuals from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. According to the data, the organization's leader identifies as white, but the staff is a diverse mix of racial and ethnic groups.
The organization's leader has a strong educational background, with a degree from a top-tier university. This level of education is a common trait among leaders in the tech industry.
LaunchCode's staff is comprised of individuals from various age groups, with a mix of young professionals and experienced industry veterans. This diversity in age and experience brings a unique perspective to the organization.
The organization's leader has a strong network of connections in the tech industry, with many partnerships and collaborations in place. This level of networking is a key factor in LaunchCode's success.
What Is
LaunchCode is a non-profit organization that provides coding education and job training to underrepresented groups in the tech industry.
Their programs are designed to be immersive and hands-on, with students working on real-world projects to gain practical experience.
LaunchCode partners with local businesses to provide job opportunities for their graduates.
These partnerships also help LaunchCode identify the skills and knowledge that are in demand in the industry.
LaunchCode has a strong focus on community development, with a goal of creating a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.
Their programs are designed to be flexible and accessible, with online and in-person options available.
This flexibility allows students to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
LaunchCode's curriculum is based on industry standards and is constantly updated to reflect the latest developments in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the CEO of LaunchCode?
The CEO of LaunchCode is Gabe Lozano. He is the driving force behind LaunchCode's mission to provide job opportunities to those willing to put in the work.
How much does LaunchCode cost?
LaunchCode is completely free, with no charges for learners, thanks to our nonprofit model and unique funding approach. Learn more about our free courses and job placement services here!
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