Uncommon is a technology company.
Uncommon has raised $30.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Uncommon.
Uncommon has raised $30.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Key people at Uncommon.
Uncommon has raised $30.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Uncommon's investors include 14W, 2xN, AIX Ventures, Alt Capital, Balderton Capital, Bloomberg Beta, C2 Investment, Cantos Ventures, Kindred Ventures, LGF, Lowercarbon Capital, Offline Ventures.
Uncommon.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York with operations in Zimbabwe, focused on bridging the digital divide by providing free technology education and employment opportunities to unemployed young adults and youth in low-income communities.[1] It runs solar-powered Innovation Hubs built from shipping containers, 12-month bootcamps for tech career launches, and after-school coding classes for primary and secondary students, aiming to teach everyone to code and build with AI tools for a thriving AI era.[1] In 2024, it served over 10,000 youth surviving on less than $5 per day, with 75+ bootcamp graduates securing full-time tech jobs earning 4x their peers' income, while expanding nationwide in Zimbabwe.[1]
Uncommon.org emerged from concerns over the digital divide, positioning itself as a scalable, financially sustainable nonprofit blending the best of nonprofit and for-profit models to make technology education accessible "everywhere."[1] Headquartered in New York, it established program operations in Zimbabwe via the Uncommon.org Trust, targeting high-density neighborhoods with nonexistent infrastructure.[1] Key early traction includes 2024's delivery of free in-person coding lessons to over 10,000 youth and unemployed adults, with bootcamp graduates not only gaining skills but also teaching coding to thousands of students at partner government schools, fostering a give-back culture.[1]
Uncommon.org rides the global AI and digital skills wave, addressing the urgent need for widespread coding proficiency as AI transforms economies, particularly in developing regions like Zimbabwe where youth face extreme poverty and infrastructure gaps.[1] Its timing aligns with AI's rise, making coding/AI literacy essential for survival and growth, amplified by market forces like remote work opportunities and tech talent shortages in Africa.[1] By creating a pipeline of skilled, purpose-driven developers from underserved areas, it influences the ecosystem through a "talent marketplace," exporting graduates to the global tech industry while building local capacity via school programs.[1]
Uncommon.org is poised to scale its model nationwide in Zimbabwe and beyond, targeting universal coding access amid AI's acceleration, with plans for financial sustainability to fuel expansion.[1] Trends like AI democratization and Africa's tech boom will shape its path, potentially amplifying its influence by producing high-impact talent that powers global innovation while uplifting local communities. This positions it as a vital bridge in the digital divide, turning "uncommon" obstacles into tech leadership.
Uncommon has raised $30.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series A in June 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2023 | $30.0M Series A | 14W, 2xN, AIX Ventures, Alt Capital, Balderton Capital, Bloomberg Beta, C2 Investment, Cantos Ventures, Kindred Ventures, LGF, Lowercarbon Capital, Offline Ventures, Saga, Salesforce Ventures, Sweet Capital, The Hit Forge, Tiger Global Management, Akshay Kothari, Amjad Masad, Ben Silbermann, Biz Stone, Marc Benioff, Spencer Kimball |
