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Trilogy Education Services, operating as a workforce accelerator, was established in 2015 by Dan Sommer and David Berger in New York City. Sommer, who previously held leadership roles at Zeta Interactive and Study Interactive, was inspired to create Trilogy by observing the growing disconnect between the demand for technology professionals and the available talent pool. His background, which includes a father who was a trustee for the State University of New York, fostered an early appreciation for the connection between higher education and the economy.

The firm's business model is centered on forming partnerships with universities to deliver skills-based technology training programs, often referred to as coding bootcamps. Trilogy manages the curriculum, student recruitment, and career placement services, while partner universities lend their brand credibility and facilities, and provide oversight. This symbiotic relationship involves a revenue-sharing agreement on student tuition, which typically ranges from $10,000 to $13,000 per program. The courses are primarily designed for working adults seeking career changes, with part-time evening and weekend schedules. Instructors are industry professionals with practical experience.

Trilogy's curriculum is market-driven, developed by analyzing regional employer needs for skills in areas like web development, data analytics and visualization, cybersecurity, and UX/UI design. Graduates of the non-credit programs receive a professional certificate from the partner institution. By 2018, Trilogy had acquired The Firehouse Project, an online coding bootcamp, and JobTrack, a career services CRM, to enhance its offerings. The company's significant growth attracted substantial investment, including a $30 million Series A round in 2017 and a $50 million Series B round in 2018. This trajectory culminated in its acquisition by education technology company 2U, Inc. in April 2019 for $750 million in cash and stock. The acquisition expanded 2U's university partner network from 36 to 68 and broadened its international presence. Following the acquisition, Trilogy was positioned as a 2U brand. In July 2024, parent company 2U filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Keywords: workforce accelerator, coding bootcamp, education technology, EdTech, skills gap, university partnerships, continuing education, tech training, Dan Sommer, 2U Inc., professional certificates, career services, data analytics training, cybersecurity bootcamp, UX/UI design courses, web development programs, non-credit programs, corporate training, lifelong learning, higher education partnerships, skills-based training, digital economy