Develhope

Founded in 2019 by Massimiliano Costa, Saša Sekulić, and Alessandro Balsamo, Develhope is an EdTech enterprise with a pronounced social mission headquartered in Palermo, Italy. The company was established to address the significant youth unemployment rate in Southern Italy, which exceeds 50%, by bridging the gap between untapped local talent and the global demand for software developers. The founders' vision was to create a pathway for a new generation of digital professionals, connecting the southern regions of Italy with more competitive international markets. Massimiliano Costa's background includes four years as the head of the United Nations World Food Programme's successful ShareTheMeal app, experience that shaped the impact-driven approach of Develhope.

Develhope operates as an online coding school offering intensive, bootcamp-style courses designed to equip students with in-demand technology skills. The curriculum is structured into several specialized paths, including Full-Stack Web Development, Java Back-End Development, Mobile App Development for both Android and iOS, and Salesforce administration. Courses, which are primarily conducted in Italian, run for approximately six months and blend on-demand lessons with live, one-on-one tutoring sessions and collaborative projects. Beyond technical training in areas like JavaScript, React, Node.js, Java, and SQL, the program emphasizes the development of soft skills and provides extensive job support, coaching, and interview preparation.

The company's business model is centered on an Income Share Agreement (ISA), which enhances accessibility by allowing students to defer tuition payments until they secure employment in their field. This model aligns the company's revenue with the success of its students. Develhope serves individuals, primarily high school or university graduates, seeking to enter the tech industry, including a focus on the inclusion of women, migrants, and refugees. The company has a software development division that has employed some of its graduates and boasts a placement rate of over 90% within three months of course completion. Since its inception, Develhope has secured venture capital funding, including a $2.37 million round in July 2021 and a $6.42 million round in March 2023, to fuel its expansion.

Keywords: EdTech, coding bootcamp, Income Share Agreement, workforce development, social impact, online education, software development training, youth unemployment, tech skills gap, Full-Stack Development, Java programming, Mobile App Development, Salesforce training, job placement, career coaching, Palermo, Southern Italy, Massimiliano Costa, digital skills, online learning platform