A brief overview of the problem Coding Dojo is solving for the MIT Startup Exchange program.

1. Coding Dojo 1
Transforming Lives Through
Programming Literacy
Richard Wang, CEO
MIT MBA Student
Education Technology & Future of Practice Leader

2. Coding Dojo 2
Many people feel they have been, or will soon be, left behind by the growing importance of technology in
our economy. Furthermore, job opportunities are increasingly being consolidated into coastal “tech
superstar” cities like New York, Boston, Seattle, and the Bay Area, which leaves fewer meaningful jobs
elsewhere.
Due to the pace of technological change and rising costs of traditional education, it has become a less
feasible and less effective option to gain digital skills—especially for career changers. Just as trade
programs filled the ranks of qualified electricians, carpenters, and technicians, developers don’t need a four-
year degree to make an impact.
A viable path to better financial opportunities is unlocked through computer science knowledge. Meanwhile,
access to digital education and training programs is limited, especially in smaller cities and in minority or low-
income communities. A strategic effort is needed to reskill the workforce to proactively mitigate job losses,
talent shortages, and ensure broader participation in the digital economy.
Problem

3. Coding Dojo 3
Coding Dojo is an economic development engine that can transform individuals from a low paying, low-skill
jobs to a high paying, high-skill careers in 14 weeks. The investment in this transformation pays dividends as
94 percent of Coding Dojo alumni get a job within six months of graduating, with an average annual salary of
about $76,000 a year.
Coding Dojo offers a 14-week coding bootcamp program that is designed to train anyone to become a self-
sufficient computer developer, regardless of their technical background. By providing a quick an effective
option to retrain/upskill workers, Coding Dojo is addressing the growing skills gap and empowering
individuals to pursue meaningful careers in the digital economy.
Coding Dojo has also made it a mission to support underserved communities, as well as increase diversity
and decrease the gender gap in the tech industry. We offer multiple tuition scholarships to promote diversity
and support women, veterans, and career changers.
To date, Coding Dojo has trained more than 4,500 individuals from all walks of life and has awarded more
than $3,500,000 in scholarships.
Solution

4. Coding Dojo 4
Student Success Stories
Yamin Hakizimana
Before
No prior computer typing experience
Burundi Refugee moved to US in 2014
Blue collar work background
After
Software Developer @ VYNYL - Digital Agency
Shannon Lance
Before
No prior coding experience
Mother of 4 during program
Former Teacher
After
Service Manager Development @ SAP Concur
Mila Wilkinson
Before
No coding experience
Media production background
After
Media Producer @ Expedia

5. Coding Dojo 5
● Connections with corporate partners who are interested in establishing reskilling/upskilling programs
for their employees.
● Connections with non-profits, NGOs, and other organizations who can help fund charitable efforts such
as scholarship funds for refugees, increased scholarships for women or people of color in tech, and
other programs aimed at supporting underserved communities.
● Connections with traditional education representatives to white-label our curriculum and content to
build on-campus bootcamp programs.
Partnership Asks