Forge
Preparing students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world.
Forge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit school that prepares students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world.
Over 1,000 students each year learn things like design, marketing, and data science through fun, engaging, student-lead programs and courses. Through our programs, projects, and community, we strive to empower students to realize their own potential while creating opportunities for them to make an impact for good.
Over 1,000 students each year learn things like design, marketing, and data science through fun, engaging, student-lead programs and courses. Through our programs, projects, and community, we strive to empower students to realize their own potential while creating opportunities for them to make an impact for good.
"It's electric being at Forge. Surrounded by my people and given all the tools I need for success, I feel like I can do absolutely anything. The relentless creative energy of our students is what makes Forge unlike anything I've ever been a part of.
There is something so fundamentally special about our members that just working and learning beside them has helped me grow enormously as a leader and a learner."
- Rachel, Forge alumna
There is something so fundamentally special about our members that just working and learning beside them has helped me grow enormously as a leader and a learner."
- Rachel, Forge alumna
Our Student Impact
We've impacted thousands of students since our founding in 2012.
5,100+
students have participated in a Forge program since 2012
1,000+
students take a Forge program each year
1 in 10
UVA students complete a Forge program before they graduate
Led by women
56% of our students and 62% of our student leaders are women.
56% of our students and 62% of our student leaders are women.
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There are so many things about my college experience that I owe to Forge. It's given me the opportunity to teach 50 students data science, using a curriculum I was given the freedom to design. It's given me and countless others a space to explore our ideas, everything from starting a food truck to creating a new app. It's given me the confidence to share my ideas with others. And it's given me two of my closest friends at UVA.
I know I'm not alone in this -- Forge has become a community and, in many ways, a second home, for so many people."
I know I'm not alone in this -- Forge has become a community and, in many ways, a second home, for so many people."
Our Story
Forge (formerly HackCville) was founded in the summer of 2012 by a group of college students and young professionals with a common mission: creating a space for students to learn and experience things that just aren't possible in a normal classroom.
Back then, the general idea was simple: bring smart, go-getter people together and give them the space and skills to make whatever they can dream up. Our programs quickly became an attractive way for students to learn new skills and meet similarly passionate people in a low-stakes, fun environment.
We now teach the full range of modern, digital skills needed in today's world, from UX design to data science to software engineering (and much more). Over 1,000 students are involved in our programs each year, and we work with over 250 startups, tech firms, and non-profits to help us get our students into impactful, meaningful work.
Today, our community of over 2,000 thrives in both our online and in-person spaces. Wherever you are, you will always have a dedicated community in your corner.
Back then, the general idea was simple: bring smart, go-getter people together and give them the space and skills to make whatever they can dream up. Our programs quickly became an attractive way for students to learn new skills and meet similarly passionate people in a low-stakes, fun environment.
We now teach the full range of modern, digital skills needed in today's world, from UX design to data science to software engineering (and much more). Over 1,000 students are involved in our programs each year, and we work with over 250 startups, tech firms, and non-profits to help us get our students into impactful, meaningful work.
Today, our community of over 2,000 thrives in both our online and in-person spaces. Wherever you are, you will always have a dedicated community in your corner.
Forge programs help students discover and develop their talents.
Scroll to learn more about each of our programs or click to jump.
Skills Courses
10-week, high-impact, part-time courses in digital skills.
Launch Summer Internship Program
High-intensity skills training paired with a summer internship at a startup.
Impact Program
Quick, high-impact projects for nonprofits and the broader Charlottesville community.
Forge Student Leadership
Our unique model empowers our students to lead Forge itself.
1%
of all course revenue and membership dues are donated to carbon removal initiatives around the world
100%
of our electricity for our student clubhouse is powered by clean wind energy
What people are saying about us
I cried when I got my offer letter to join ENSCO. Forge helped land my career. I successfully went from serving tables to engineering Machine Learning Algorithms, and the education at Forge had a huge part to play in giving me the skills to do that. Words can't express how grateful I am for you all saying yes to my Launch Application. Please know that you've helped change my life, and I owe everyone at Forge a big thank you for all that you've done to help me get to where I am today. Keep changing lives, you guys rock!
My favorite part about Forge is the connections; I felt like my New York dreams were so much closer than before having connected with Forge. They have such an elaborate network and so many people with different skill sets willing and able to help me think about internships, jobs, and more. I felt like I had a group of people I could ask to help me try something new or go somewhere new.
At Forge, I get to be part of a group of highly motivated and fun people who I can learn from, connect with, and be friends with. Not only am I part of an incredible community, I also get to build my network and have access to job opportunities and leadership opportunities. Forge is setting me up for personal success as well as professional success!
But the best thing about Forge is being part of a group of people I feel comfortable around and connect with who value me as a person.
But the best thing about Forge is being part of a group of people I feel comfortable around and connect with who value me as a person.
Launch was extremely fun, but more importantly, extremely helpful. Now I have the technical skills and valuable professional skills that can be applied to any position at every level that I will get to.
I also made tons of great connections and bonds with my Launch cohort and other people within Forge. It was an amazing experience and I am excited to be more involved with Forge in the future!
I also made tons of great connections and bonds with my Launch cohort and other people within Forge. It was an amazing experience and I am excited to be more involved with Forge in the future!
Forge is one of the biggest reasons why I say I love school. The mentorship and advice it has offered me has been unparalleled to anything else I've ever taken. The community is both incredibly driven and passionate about everything they do.
Forge 100% prepared me for my career in a way my university couldn't. At Forge, I was able to see people pursuing non-traditional careers and that encouraged me to step off of the linear path that had been laid out for me in business school. I was given courage, confidence, and an incredible opportunity to learn by example.
As a rising second year, I feel that Launch Internship Program is going to jumpstart my data science career and I know I'm going to carry the knowledge I learned in Launch throughout the rest of my life.
The network of motivated people is unlike anything else at my university. You can always find someone interested in something new and exciting which is inspirational and can come in handy.
I love the endless amount of resources and guidance Forge offers. From having members or staff take 5 minutes to sit down and talk to me, to endless workshops throughout the semester, to the random email and text messages - everyone genuinely cares about one another.
Our Launch interns were outstanding, delivering real value to the business and interacting with senior stakeholders, displaying maturity and skill beyond a typical college student or junior employee.
Forge is an incredible institution and like nothing else at any university we work with.
I love this program - the training the interns receive is really helpful. Our Launch intern was incredibly efficient, smart, fun, and creative and I could not believe the speed with which she knocked things out!
There's no doubt that my time in Forge helped me cultivate both my technical skills in data science and my leadership skills. I've had countless opportunities to just try new and crazy things and just run with it. I think Forge does a great job of empowering everyone to experiment and find things that they are really good at!
My favorite part about Forge is getting to know everyone in my class and in the overall community. It is unique to find a collection of such innovative and motivated people. The resources offered by Forge for any sort of project you may want to embark on are extremely useful, especially for those who have limited experience in entrepreneurship.
⛰ 1% of our membership dues and courses tuition goes toward carbon removal. ⛰ Learn more →
About Forge (formerly HackCville)
Forge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that prepares students with the modern skills they need to make an impact in the world. Each year, over 1,000 students learn things like design, marketing, and data science through our fun, engaging, community-driven projects and programs. We strive to empower students to realize their own potential while creating opportunities for them to make an impact for good.
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
In turn, we provide talent to 200+ tech companies, startups, and nonprofits across the country. Our home is our clubhouse near the University of Virginia, but our broader network of 2,000+ spans the globe. More about us →
Founding Partners
Launch
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© 2021 Forge Academy
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349
A 501(c)(3) non-profit
EIN: 46-1626349