named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
AI-Native Program
Training cohort focused on artificial intelligence skills for future tech careers, with applications open for Fall 2026
Fellowship Program
Long-term intensive program training adults from underserved backgrounds for their first tech jobs and career advancement
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Tech Skills Training for Underserved Groups 6 activities
- Build internal technology capacity to improve organizational efficiencyUpskilled internal staff to contribute software development, resulting in 14 additional contributing engineers and 78% of non-technical staff writing production-level code. Replaced external admissions software with an internally built platform, canceling three SaaS licenses and accelerating recruitment to launch four cohorts in ten months.
- Deliver hands-on AI training and build real AI products for organizationsDelivers immersive, in-person AI training to low-income New Yorkers across multiple cities, providing approximately 1,000 hours of hands-on building experience per participant. Trainees develop real AI tools, workflows, and software—including data-driven apps and sector-specific solutions—for actual organizational partners, culminating in team-based capstone presentations at Demo Day.
- Host workshops and info sessions to expand access to tech opportunitiesHosts application workshops, info sessions, and hands-on AI literacy workshops in collaboration with community organizations to increase access to tech and AI training for underserved and underrepresented populations, including 36 staff from 18 nonprofits in the NY-NJ region.
- Launch pilot programs to prepare small businesses and workers for AI adoptionLaunched a $250K pilot program in partnership with Amazon and Google to prepare small and medium-sized businesses for AI adoption while creating employment pathways for New Yorkers. Also launched a pilot cohort using real-time labor market data to inform job placement strategies.
- Run the LevelUp program to upskill non-traditional workers within partner companiesOperates the LevelUp program to train existing employees from non-traditional backgrounds in partner organizations for new software engineering roles within their current companies, supporting internal talent development and workforce transformation.
- Train adults from underserved communities for tech and AI careersOperates a long-term, intensive training program that equips adults with high need and potential—particularly from underserved communities—with technology and AI skills, leading to significant income gains. Participants experience an average income increase from $18,000 to over $90,000, with some achieving a 472%+ rise in income at their first job and an estimated $2 million in additional lifetime earnings.
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Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
- Advocate for policy to expand job training fundingAdvocates for the Good Jobs Guarantee Act, which aims to unlock $1 billion in private funding to train 24,000 New Yorkers for well-paying jobs over the projected implementation period.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Fund the AI Nonprofit Build Corps to embed trained AI talent in nonprofitsFunds the AI Nonprofit Build Corps, which places trained AI professionals within New York City nonprofits to collaborate on high-effort initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, cost savings, and modernization through technology.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Place Fellows in tech roles with employer partners and provide post-hire supportPlaces program graduates (Fellows) in engineering and tech roles across more than 200 leading companies, including startups and large corporations, with a focus on non-traditional hiring. Provides three years of post-hire retention and advancement support, resulting in a 92% two-year retention rate—nearly double the industry average.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Provide company-tailored volunteer and leadership development opportunitiesOffers group volunteer experiences tailored to corporate partners, focused on training emerging leaders through structured engagement and mentorship activities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$12.13M
Contributions & grants$11.08M91%
Program service revenue$861K7%
Investment income$197K2%
Other revenue$513
expenses
Total expenses$13.46M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$8.96M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.96M
Cash$5.24M
Investments$0
Liabilities$12.64M
Net assets$2.33M
Liquid reserves4.7 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +11.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 14
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUKAY HSU | CO-FOUNDER & CEO | 42 | $555K |
| YONG KANG | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $414K |
| CAROLINE OH | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $396K |
| ADIL BILICI | CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER | 40 | $390K |
| DAVID YANG CO-FOUNDER | CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER/SECRETARY | 42 | $366K |
| JR JOSE ORTIZ | VP PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATIONS & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | 40 | $258K |
| JORDAN MANLEY | HEAD OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING | 40 | $231K |
| JOANNA PATTERSON | VP, EMPLOYMENT | 40 | $224K |
| WILL KENNEY | VP OF PURSUIT PBC STRATEGY & OPERATIONS | 40 | $223K |
| REBECCA LEE | VP, DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS | 40 | $211K |
| OPHELIA CHUA | MD, FINANCE & INVESTMENTS | 40 | $192K |
| SASCHA OWEN | SVP OF POLICY AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | 40 | $184K |
| GREG HOOGUE | BUILD AND COMMUNITY LEAD | 40 | $181K |
| JP BOWDITCH | MANAGER, STRATEGIC PROPOSALS | 40 | $167K |
board members · 11
- ADAM BELANICH — TREASURER
- ALAN JONES — DIRECTOR
- ALEX ATALLAH — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL TERAN — DIRECTOR
- ELIAS ROMAN — DIRECTOR
- JENNIFER HENSLEY — CHAIR
- KATY KNIGHT — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL BOROFSKY — DIRECTOR
- PAUL VIZCARRONDO — DIRECTOR
- SOO KIM — DIRECTOR
- STUART SPODEK — DIRECTOR
relationships · 39
Who they work with
- Amazon Partner — Co-launches a pilot program with Pursuit and Google to equip small and medium-sized businesses for AI and create jobs for New Yorkers.
- Assemblymember Nily Rozic Partner — Co-introduced the Good Jobs Guarantee Act with PURSUIT
- CenterState CEO Partner — Regional employer and economic development connector in Central New York for the AI Prep for Jobs initiative.
- Citi Partner — Partnered with Pursuit to create a model for hiring and developing diverse engineering talent in NYC and nationally.
- Citi Partner — Partners with Pursuit on a proven model for workforce development in NYC and nationally
- Codecademy Partner — Employer of volunteer Mike Boyle, who mentors Pursuit Fellows
- David Energy Partner — USV portfolio company that has hired Pursuit Fellows.
- ERIE21 Partner — Community-based training partner in Syracuse for the AI Prep for Jobs initiative.
- Empire State Development Government — Hosts the Good Jobs Guarantee Program under the proposed legislation
- Empire State Development Government — State agency partnering with Pursuit to launch the AI Prep for Jobs initiative.
- Foursquare Partner — USV portfolio company that has hired Pursuit Fellows to increase engineering team diversity.
- Goldman Sachs Partner — Partnered with Pursuit to deliver an AI literacy workshop for staff from Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions organizations.
- Google Partner — Co-launches a pilot program with Pursuit and Amazon to prepare small and medium-sized businesses for AI and generate local employment.
- Le Moyne College Partner — Academic and community-based training partner in Syracuse for the AI Prep for Jobs initiative.
- Lookbook Partner — Uses in-house software called Lookbook to help participants showcase their work and portfolios to employers.
- MetLife Partner — Partner organization piloting Pursuit's Build Days program for staff upskilling in AI.
- Mizuho Americas Partner — Collaborates with Pursuit to launch the AI Nonprofit Build Corps initiative.
- Neighborhood Trust Partner — Partner organization piloting Pursuit's Build Days program for staff upskilling in AI.
- Pathfinder Partner — Uses in-house software called Pathfinder to help participants track and demonstrate their development and job readiness.
- Peloton Partner — Works with Pursuit to hire Fellows and integrate diverse, multi-disciplinary talent into tech teams.
- Per Scholas Partner — Training delivery partner in Buffalo for the AI Prep for Jobs initiative.
- Quizlet Partner — USV portfolio company that has hired Pursuit Fellows.
- Robin Hood Foundation Funder — CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation has publicly endorsed Pursuit's impact on income mobility.
- Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris Partner — Co-introduced the Good Jobs Guarantee Act with PURSUIT
- Sift Partner — USV portfolio company that has hired Pursuit Fellows.
- Skillshare Partner — USV portfolio company that has hired Pursuit Fellows.
- Sputnik Partner — Uses in-house software called Sputnik to support participants in documenting and showcasing their skills and progress.
- TechBuffalo Partner — Employer engagement lead for the Buffalo region in the AI Prep for Jobs initiative.
- The Legal Aid Society Partner — Participating organization in the Goldman Sachs-Pursuit AI literacy pilot, with staff attending and providing feedback on the workshop.
- Thirty Madison Partner — Collaborates with Pursuit to hire diverse talent and provide three years of structured post-hire support.
+ 9 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Partnered Recruitment and Outreach for Equitable Accessmethodology: community_partnered_recruitmentBy partnering with trusted local organizations to recruit and build trust within underserved communities, the organization increases access and participation among populations historically excluded from tech, leveraging community credibility to overcome systemic barriers.
- Learning-by-Building with Peer and AI-Augmented Instructionmethodology: learning_by_buildingBy having participants create real AI solutions from the beginning—supported by peer collaboration, AI-personalized learning, and real-time coaching—the organization builds practical technical intuition and human skills more effectively than traditional instruction, accelerating workforce readiness.
- Long-Term Intensive Training with Embedded Support for Career Transformationmethodology: long_term_intensive_trainingBy providing sustained, immersive training combined with post-placement on-the-job coaching and career support, the organization enables adults from underserved communities to enter and advance in tech careers, based on the belief that prolonged, holistic development drives lasting economic mobility.
- Outcomes-Based Financing with Deferred Payment and Risk-Shiftingmethodology: outcomes_based_financingBy tying funding to successful job placement and using deferred payment models (e.g., income share agreements), the organization shifts financial risk away from participants and aligns its success with long-term career outcomes, enabling access for high-need individuals who could not otherwise afford training.