Launch Code After School

Launch Code is an educational technology company — or “EdTech” for short.

By teaching elementary and middle school students how technology works and how to build things (rather than simply consume them) it offers computer science education that's engaging and entertaining.

The company offers coding classes and summer camps to kids ages 7 to 14, and features a proprietary learning management platform.

Currently, its classes are offered in-person at Launch Code’s inaugural brick and mortar location, as well as at a handful of satellite locations in Texas. As it expands, the company plans to open many franchise locations, and offer its courses online.

Launch Code is run by a team with extensive experience in the educational industry. CEO Ravi Parikh sold his previous EdTech startup which also focused on coding programs. And Co-Founder Lindsay Walker’s background covers several areas within the STEM (short for Science, Technology, Education, Mathematics) subjects.

Furthermore, this team is assisted by an advisory group that has achieved considerable success scaling businesses. For example, Advisor Patrick Hittmeier is the former President of Kampgrounds of America, which grew to more than 400 locations in the U.S.

Similar EdTech programs have been acquired for large sums. In April 2019, Trilogy Education, a company that runs short-term coding programs for college students, was bought for $750 million by 2U Inc.

Launch Code was created to address a growing need to teach younger kids computer programming skills.

In 2017, demand for new computer programming jobs was 1.4 million. Yet only 400,000 graduates entered the work force with degrees in this area.

To meet this demand, Launch Code believes students need to get interested in computer science at a younger age.

Launch Code creates content that is exciting and educational. Its curriculum is collaboratively created by experienced teachers and expert developers, and combines real world applications like programming robots. This helps “gamify” the learning process.

Students learn coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, LUA, and Python. And current interactive lessons include working with robots, drones, and mobile apps.

All of this learning is done through a management system called “Mission Control.” This system features specific portals for students, teachers, parents, and administrators. Through the portals:

• Students work through in-class assignments and complete homework.

• Teachers create and deploy content, and report each student’s progress.

• Parents track their child’s progress and can communicate with teachers.

• And administrators manage classrooms and scheduling.

Launch Code’s summer camps are offered at the company’s initial brick and mortar location, as well as satellite locations. These include schools and community centers. The company offers two sessions per day, with 12 to 15 students per session. Customers pay between $250 and $499 per session.

In addition, customers can pay a monthly subscription to have their child “drop in” to weekly classes at the company’s brick and mortar location. The subscriptions run from $199 to $299 per month, and enable 1 to 2 drop-ins per week. Additional revenue streams include renting out computers, birthday parties, retail products, and events like “Parents’ Night Out.”

Launch Code spends approximately $300 to $425 to acquire each customer, and typically breaks even on this cost within 3 to 4 months. The company estimates each customer’s lifetime value at around $2,900.

Launch Code launched in June 2018, and has now reached an annualized revenue run rate of $240,000. This is from one dedicated brick and mortar location and four temporary satellite locations.

The company has raised more than $550,000 from angel investors, and has partnerships with several notable companies to help scale its business, for example:

Launch Code partners with Sangfroid Studios, a marketing company, to assist with digital marketing efforts. In addition, it’s partnered with Z1 Digital, a company helping scale startups, and ScaleFactor, a company that helps startups handle financial matters.

With funds raised, Launch Code aims to expand its operations throughout Texas. In September 2019, it will open a second retail location in Round Rock, Texas, and a third location in Cedar Park, Texas in January 2020. Additional expansion will include franchises in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, as well as offering classes online.

By 2024, Launch Code plans to offer classes and camps at 6 satellite locations and 21 franchises.

Team Background

Lindsay Walker - Co-Founder

Lindsay is responsible for building the curricula offered by Launch Code. Her extensive experience in the educational industry gives her first-hand insight into these programs.

She first earned a Master’s degree in STEM Education (Science, Technology, Education, Mathematics) and began developing curriculum for various e-learning programs. During that time, she served as a math teacher in Wisconsin at both the middle school and high school levels.

After that, she earned a certificate in front end development and shifted to developing educational content specifically for students in the computer science fields.

She spent time as a Principles of Engineering Design Instructor at Johns Hopkins University, and later as a content developer for GameSalad, a video game design company.

Most recently, she was a technology educator for a middle school in Austin, Texas.

Lindsay earned her Master’s degree from the University of Texas.

Ravi Parikh - Co-Founder & CEO

Ravi has experience growing and selling startups in the educational technology industry.

Notably, in 2012, he co-founded MakerSquare, a coding “bootcamp” for adults that was acquired by Hack Reactor in 2015.

After that, he founded RoverPass, a property management software company targeting the RV industry. He handles CEO duties for this company in addition to his role with Launch Code After School.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mitch Morales - Co-Founder & COO

Mitch began his career in the educational technology industry, working as Senior Financial and Operational Analyst for 360training.com. He worked at this company, which offers educational classes online, for more than four years.

From there, he worked in the energy industry as a senior financial analyst for Simple Power, a utilities company in Austin, Texas. He then worked in business development for a similar company, Kona Energy.

For seven years, Mitch served as co-founder of Vivid Sound Entertainment, a company in the music industry that created an annual music and camping festival. He still oversees this festival each year in addition to his duties with Launch Code.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Texas.

Vijay Kalvakuntla - Co-Founder

Vijay assists Launch Code with business scenario modeling and strategic decision making.

Prior to joining the company, he was Chief Financial Officer for brEDcrumb, an education company focused on mentoring college students.

Before that, he was a business development associate at Altia Systems, a startup that created the world’s first 4K USB video camera. He joined this company after spending four years in the financial industry, working for Stellus Capital and Wells Fargo, two financial services companies.

Vijay earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Texas and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jobin George - Co-Founder

Before co-founding Launch Code, Jobin was focused on the healthcare industry.

He was a senior healthcare consultant for The Advisory Board Company, which analyzes databases and conducts market research to identify trends in health care strategy. Prior to that, he was a healthcare consultant for Sunquest Information Systems, an IT company focused on the healthcare sector.

Jobin began his career as an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Texas, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.

Co-Investors