We exist to provide

a clear, rigorous, and accessible pathway for aspiring builders and leaders to launch an impactful career in tech, no matter where they started from.

Our programs
Join our team

Our vision

Become the complete alternative to traditional tech education

Our core values

Our values are so much more than words: They're deeply embedded principles that anchor all of our actions and decisions.

Our programs

Aspiration

Codesmith is for boundary-pushers.
Leadership starts when you set your sights higher than what you think possible. When you come to Codesmith, our community is here to help you get there—and to remind you that you can.

Collaboration & Community

Growth is a team effort.
Collaboration is how things get done at Codesmith. We work together to raise the bar in an environment where individual growth is amplified by collective support. No one is on this journey alone.

Ownership & Autonomy

Take charge of your career.
If you don’t, who will? For residents and team members alike, ownership means taking responsibility for the trajectory of your career—for yourself and for the community.

Thoughtful Communication

Every interaction matters.
Treat others with respect, listen closely, and approach conversations with care. Clear and thoughtful communication builds trust. Trust fuels collaboration, and collaboration drives purposeful work.

Substance Over Show

Craft matters more than flash.
At Codesmith, humility and hard work are valued over surface-level appearances. Confidence is earned by solving meaningful problems and building solutions with a deeper impact. This commitment to craftsmanship ensures that our work stands the test of time.

AS SEEN IN...

A decade of Codesmith

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2022
2023
2024

Codesmith lore

  • Codesmith was founded by Will Sentance in Culver City, CA, operating out of a rented house.
  • The first cohort of six residents graduated in Will’s backyard in Venice, CA.
  • “The Hiring Program,” led by tech entrepreneur Eric Kirsten, was launched and quickly became one of the most popular and impactful programs at Codesmith.

Codesmith lore

  • Codesmith moved to its first official office in Playa Vista, CA, and expanded to San Francisco.
  • The Codesmith Speaker Series was launched, featuring guests like Tom Occhino and Tasneem Minadakis.
  • Codesmith graduate Eric Kang transitioned to a leading role at Google, setting a precedent for success among alumni.

Codesmith lore

  • Codesmith Hosts Summer Academy of Code in Los Angeles & Oxford.
  • Codesmith expands to NYC, opens LES office.

Codesmith lore

  • Codesmith expanded operations and moved to Venice, CA.
  • CS Prep, a two-week live online program, and CSX, a free self-paced JavaScript platform, were introduced to help aspiring engineers build strong technical foundations.
  • Open Source Labs (OSLabs), a nonprofit tech accelerator, was created to support engineers in developing impactful open-source projects.

Codesmith lore

  • Codesmith introduced the Part-time Remote Software Engineering Immersive program, a 38-week online course.
  • The JavaScript for Beginners was launched, enabling over 100 new coders to build a strong foundation in JavaScript concepts.
  • Hosted 220 free workshops, attracting  5,000 attendees.
  • Partnerships with We Build Black, Women in Tech International, and Lesbians Who Tech to promote diversity.

The “Unprecedented” Era

  • In response to COVID-19, Codesmith transitioned its programs to a fully remote, increasing global access to aspiring engineers.
  • As part of the "Learn to Code 2020 Challenge," Codesmith offered free online beginner workshops titled "Intro to JavaScript."
  • Codesmith reached 1,000 alumni globally, marking a major milestone in its community growth.

The “Unprecedented” Era

  • Led by Alex Zai, the Data Science & Machine Learning Immersive Program launched, forming the DS & ML Research Group.
  • New scholarships introduced such as the Community and Black Engineers Scholarships surpassed $1 million in awards.
  • Alum Shray Bansal co-founded Moment in 2019, which was acquired by Patreon in 2022.
  • Alumni count surpassed 2,000.

The “Unprecedented” Era

  • Early 2023 witnessed significant challenges in the tech industry, with layoffs at major companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google.
  • Alumni like Abby Chao assumed leadership roles, managing multiple companies, while Darryl Amour led key engineering initiatives at PayPal.
  • Codesmith reached 3,000 alumni, with over 1,000 job offers secured during the tech recession.

The “Unprecedented” Era

  • Codesmith transitioned to fully remote immersive programs.
  • Future Code was established, a no-cost software engineering training program aimed at diversifying the tech industry in NYC.
  • The AI & ML Technical Leadership Program launched, equipping engineers with advanced skills in AI and ML.
  • The alumni network reached 4,000 members.