Peer-led digital apprenticeships and full-stack development training for the AI-first economy.
Founders & Coders (F&C) is a UK-based non-profit social enterprise that has pioneered a peer-led model for software engineering education. By 2026, the organization has evolved its curriculum beyond traditional full-stack JavaScript to integrate 'AI-First' development practices, including prompt engineering, LLM orchestration, and the use of AI agents in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Unlike traditional bootcamps, F&C operates on a tuition-free basis for students, funded primarily through the UK government's apprenticeship levy and employer partnerships. Their technical architecture is built around a community-driven, open-source curriculum hosted on GitHub, emphasizing collaborative learning and real-world project delivery. For organizations, F&C serves as a high-signal recruitment pipeline for diverse, technically proficient talent trained in modern DevOps, Agile methodologies, and neuro-inclusive team dynamics. The 2026 market position of F&C reflects the critical need for developers who can bridge the gap between traditional engineering and generative AI implementation, focusing heavily on human-in-the-loop systems and ethical AI development.
A decentralized learning model where students teach each other, verified by industry-standard assessments.
Verified feedback from the global deployment network.
Post queries, share implementation strategies, and help other users.
All course materials are version-controlled on GitHub, allowing for real-time updates as technologies evolve.
Curriculum mandates the use of AI coding assistants for refactoring, unit test generation, and documentation.
Project phase involves building real-world software for registered charities and social enterprises.
Training environment designed for accessibility, catering to ADHD and Autistic spectrum cognitive profiles.
Course content is mapped to the UK Level 4 Software Developer Standard.
A structured system where previous graduates return to lead technical workshops for new cohorts.
Lack of diversity in tech teams leading to biased software development.
Registry Updated:2/7/2026
Closing the digital skills gap within existing organizations.
Non-profits often lack the budget for high-quality custom software.