ABOUT US
Your guide from first steps to tech success!
📖 Our Story
Founded in 2015, Hack the Gap started as a series of Hackathons, providing a platform for diverse talent to shine and innovate. Under Caroline’s leadership since 2019, we expanded to offer the Hackathon Learning Experience in 2020, Bootcamps in 2022, and our First Registered Apprenticeship in 2024.
The tech opportunities we offer continue to expand and evolve. Our mission is to be a guide, providing opportunities to explore potential and achieve success in the tech industry.
Let’s Hack the Gap!
💡Our Purpose
The organization serves as your guide from first steps to tech success by:
Creating spaces to get together, hack and connect
Providing tech training and pathways into tech
Connecting candidates with employers
📜 Our History
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2015
Hackathon
Hack the Gap was founded with a vision to create a space for diverse talent to thrive in the tech industry. It started as a series of hackathons, providing underrepresented groups the opportunity to showcase their creativity and technical skills. These hackathons quickly became a hub for innovation, collaboration, and empowerment, giving participants the confidence and platform they needed to shine in a competitive field.
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2019
Leadership passed to Caroline Karanja
The torch of leadership passed to Caroline Karanja, an advocate for diversity in tech and a driving force behind expanding Hack the Gap's mission. Caroline’s passion for inclusion and equal opportunity took the organization to new heights, broadening its impact and reach within the tech community.
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2020
Hackathon Learning Experience
Building on the momentum of previous years, Hack the Gap introduced the Hackathon Learning Experience. This initiative combined the excitement of hackathons with a deeper focus on skill-building, mentorship, and practical knowledge. It was designed to not only foster innovation but to equip participants with the tools they needed to turn their ideas into tangible successes in the tech world.
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2022
Bootcamps
Hack the Gap continued to evolve by launching intensive Bootcamps. These bootcamps provided in-depth, hands-on training in various tech disciplines, enabling participants to develop the skills necessary for long-term success in the industry. Through these programs, Hack the Gap further solidified its role as a key player in preparing diverse talent for the tech workforce.
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2024
First Registered Apprenticeship
Marking a major milestone, Hack the Gap launched its First Registered Apprenticeship program. This program was designed to offer structured, long-term training that combines real-world work experience with classroom instruction. By creating a direct pathway to employment in tech, Hack the Gap’s apprenticeship program helps participants transition smoothly from learning to earning, while also addressing the industry’s need for more diverse and skilled workers.
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To be continued...
More tech opportunities to come!
👥 The Team
Caroline Karanja
CEO
Caroline Karanja is an innovative leader with a passion for increasing inclusion and equity. In addition to leading Hack the Gap, she is theCEO of Guided Pulse (rebranded from 26 Letters), an organization providing digital products, technology solutions and consulting services to increase equity and inclusion within organizations as a path for retention, growth, and innovation.
Mase Santos
Technical Program Lead
Mase (They/them) is a Full Stack Developer and Digital Designer who creates immersive digital experiences through coding, graphic design, and illustration. They leverage emerging technologies to craft innovative solutions that push aesthetic boundaries. With a multidisciplinary approach, they seamlessly integrate creative mediums, delivering captivating user experiences. Blending technical expertise with design sensibilities, Mase brings a fresh perspective to inclusive and user-centric solutions that empower and inspire, shaping a more impactful digital landscape.
