Building Better Communities, Block by Block!

We operate as a startup venture studio designed to empower underestimated founders and business owners by providing them with the tools and resources they need to rapidly validate, launch, and grow their businesses.

About Us

Block Knowledge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. Our programs focus on fostering equality in entrepreneurial opportunities for underrepresented innovators through a blend of structured mentorship, hands-on learning, and expert guidance.

Our Vision

To foster equality in entrepreneurial opportunities for underestimated founders and to transform communities by equipping them with the resources to thrive in STEM and tech innovation.

Our Mission

Block Knowledge empowers underestimated founders to realize their fullest potential and impact the world through entrepreneurial STEM innovation. We achieve this by providing equitable opportunities, mentorship, apprenticeship, and tailored support and development programs.

Our Core Programs

Block Builders Project-Based Learning

A 12-week course designed for non-technical career seekers to master the fundamentals of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design. Participants learn to create intuitive digital experiences for mobile apps, websites, and other digital products.

Block Founders Innovation Program

A 16-week hybrid (online + in-person) cohort program that guides founders through a structured curriculum, mentorship sessions, and expert-led training. Founders leave the program equipped to build MVP products, validate services, pitch compelling stories, bootstrap effectively, and raise capital to scale their tech startups and businesses.

The Karatu Fellowship Program

A 3-9 month fellowship for technology professionals and college students to up-skill in key areas like Product Development, UI/UX, Cybersecurity, and DevOps. Participants gain valuable professional development through mentorship, apprenticeships, and internship experiences. This program is also a key revenue generator for Block Knowledge, having delivered over 68 successful projects and contributing to $8.5M in raised funds.

Karatu Fellowship Program

Empowering Underrepresented Talent for Tech Careers

The Karatu Fellowship is a virtual, 3 to 9-month program designed to up-skill underrepresented talent in key areas of tech, including Product Development, DevOps, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. Participants gain hands-on experience through apprenticeships and mentorship, building real-world projects that accelerate their tech careers.

Hands-on Apprenticeships: Fellows work on real-life industry projects to build their portfolios and gain relevant experience.

– Upfront Investment: We invest in fellows from Day 1. Upon admission, participants receive financial support to focus on the program full-time and take on immersive learning experiences.

Industry Mentors: Each fellow is matched with an experienced mentor who provides guidance, support, and valuable insights throughout the program.

Company-Building Support: Fellows receive personalized assistance to develop their technical skills and clarify their career path. Whether they have a specific tech career goal in mind or need help finding the best fit, Karatu helps them refine and pursue their chosen path.

Project-Based Learning: Fellows build robust portfolios by completing various industry-relevant projects.

Career Placement: After the fellowship, participants have access to exclusive job opportunities from a network of 2,000+ startups and established companies.

Built-in Community: Fellows join a thriving community of alumni and peers, staying connected through online channels to support each other beyond the program.

Karatu is focused on exceptional underrepresented STEM talents looking to advance their skills and build a successful tech career. We prioritize diversity by actively recruiting from underrepresented groups, including women, non-binary people, and Black, Latinx, or Indigenous American individuals.




– Launched in 2020

– Over 1,900 fellows have participated.

– 150 fellows have gone on to create businesses.

– 68 founders have raised $8.5 million in grants and funding.

– 3 exits and 1 successful M&A.




We have collaborated with organizations such as Kapor Capital, the Kapor Center, University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), the US State Department, the Kauffman Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Amazon, and others to support our mission.

Ready to launch your tech career? Join our upcoming cohort and become a Karatu Fellow. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis! Apply here.



Our Services

Building Better Tech Solutions for Diverse Communities

At Block Knowledge, we offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower founders, students, and organizations to succeed in the tech space. Whether it’s workforce development, hands-on learning, or cutting-edge product development, our services are tailored to address the unique needs of underrepresented talent and small businesses. Discover how our expertise can accelerate your growth, amplify your impact, and bring your vision to life.

Our workforce development services equip professionals and organizations with the skills, tools, and resources needed to thrive in an ever-evolving tech landscape. We specialize in:

Program Management: From strategy and design to implementation and evaluation, we provide full-cycle management to ensure your training and development programs succeed.

Program Development: We craft customized learning and development programs that meet industry standards and are designed to bridge skill gaps, especially for underrepresented groups.

Curriculum Development: Our team creates impactful, industry-aligned curricula that blend theory and practice, preparing participants for real-world challenges.

Train the Trainer: We prepare instructors and facilitators to deliver high-quality training programs, ensuring consistent outcomes and sustainable knowledge transfer.

Why Choose Us?  

With our deep expertise and commitment to inclusive learning, we ensure every program we create is impactful, culturally relevant, and driven by real-world outcomes.

Block Knowledge specializes in hands-on learning through Project-Based Learning (PBL). We create customized projects for each student or cohort to enhance their skills through immersive experiences. Our PBL model is unique because projects are sourced from:

Students: Encouraging self-initiated projects to foster creativity and ownership.

Corporations: Collaborating with businesses to solve real-world challenges while developing future talent.

Communities: Addressing community needs and driving local impact through technology.

With over 200 successful projects completed, we understand how to align project goals with educational outcomes, providing students and professionals with the chance to develop their skills while creating tangible value for stakeholders.

Benefits of PBL with Block Knowledge:  

– Builds real-world skills and experience.

– Offers practical solutions to corporate and community challenges.

– Develops a strong portfolio that showcases expertise and impact.

Block Knowledge provides specialized product development services, designed to support founders and small business owners in bringing their tech products to market. Our Block Builders team offers development services at a reduced industry cost, making it accessible for early-stage ventures. Our services include:

Web Development: Frontend, backend, and full-stack solutions.

Mobile Development: iOS and Android apps that engage users and deliver seamless experiences.

Design Development: From initial wireframes to polished UI/UX designs, we help founders turn concepts into stunning digital products.

Why Choose Our Product Development Services?  

We work exclusively with in-house talent, ensuring high-quality results and complete control over the development process—no outsourcing. All of our developers and engineers are Block Knowledge employees, committed to delivering excellence in every project.

We are a full-stack UI/UX research and development firm, offering a complete suite of services to optimize user experience and elevate brand aesthetics. Our team handles:

Research & Question Generation: We start by understanding your target audience and gathering insights through surveys, interviews, and usability studies.

Customer Persona Creation: Developing detailed personas to guide design decisions and product strategies.

Low to High-Fidelity Prototyping: Creating wireframes and interactive prototypes that help visualize user journeys and refine features.

Brand Work: Building cohesive visual identities that resonate with your audience.

Usability Testing & Optimization: Validating designs with real users to ensure they meet usability standards and business goals.

Our Approach  

We prioritize research and empathy-driven design to create user experiences that are intuitive, accessible, and engaging.

Before you invest significant resources in your idea, we help you test, validate, and iterate through our Prototyping Services. Founders can explore the feasibility of their concepts at a fraction of the cost with our support. Whether it’s a simple MVP or a complex product, we help you navigate the early stages of product development with confidence.

Why Prototype with Block Knowledge?  

Low-Cost Solutions: Our approach minimizes risk by helping founders learn from prototypes before committing to full-scale development.

Iterative Feedback Loops: Gather real user feedback early and often.

Data-Driven Decisions: Make informed decisions about product direction and development.

We are experts in software development, specializing in building innovative and robust solutions for web, mobile, and AI applications. Our capabilities include:

Mobile Apps: Developing high-performance apps for iOS and Android.

Web Apps: Creating scalable, secure, and user-friendly web applications.

AI Development: Implementing advanced AI algorithms, natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning solutions.

OS Systems & Hardware Projects: Building customized software for specialized hardware and operating systems.

In-House Talent, No Outsourcing  

All of our software developers and engineers are Block Knowledge team members, ensuring the highest standards of quality and seamless collaboration.

Fundraising is an essential part of many startup journeys. At Block Knowledge, we want to ensure that your product or service is positioned for success. Our Pitch Deck Creation service includes:

Deck Audits: Reviewing and refining existing decks to make sure they tell a compelling story.

Full Deck Creation: Crafting new decks that highlight your value proposition, market opportunity, and business potential.

With over $8.5 million raised by our founders using decks we’ve created, we know what it takes to catch an investor’s eye and communicate your vision.

Free Deck Audit  

Founders can get their decks reviewed free of charge, ensuring they’re ready to pitch with confidence.

Block Knowledge is committed to supporting BIPOC founders through our Funds Matching Program. If you’ve received grant funding or early-stage pre-seed capital, we’ll match your investment 1:1 or up to 1:3 within our design and development services. This ensures that your resources go further and that you can build a robust, market-ready product without compromising quality.

Who Qualifies?  

BIPOC founders or teams with BIPOC representation can apply for funds matching to maximize their impact.

Impact & Success

Since our inception in 2020, Block Knowledge has:

Ready to build, learn, and grow with Block Knowledge?

Let's Grow Your Business

Contact us to discuss how we can support your journey.

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