Akademi

2 Months In: Lessons from Launching Akademi’s Bootcamp in Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Haiti – June 26, 2025 — Two months ago, we launched Akademi’s bootcamp program in Haiti—and what an incredible journey it has been. This initiative represents a powerful collaboration between academic and industry leaders, including our foundational partners at Université Quisqueya and Flatiron School, supported by Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Our launch began with a rigorous nationwide recruitment process – a month-long campaign that included prerequisite coursework and a comprehensive assessment to identify Haiti’s most promising tech talent. From hundreds of applicants, we carefully selected our inaugural cohort.
Now that we’ve passed the two-month mark, we want to share some key reflections on our progress.
Our cohort consists of 120 students across three tracks:

These students represent 20 communes across Haiti, with strong participation from Delmas and Port-au-Prince. Notably, 20% of the cohort are women, and the majority are either university graduates or currently pursuing higher education.

Here are some key observations so far:

1

The Power of In-Person Community

While online learning offers flexibility, we’ve seen tremendous value in real-life connections. Originally unplanned, our monthly in-person meetups have become a highlight—proving that even in a digital age, offline is the new online. Humans crave human experiences, and fostering community is irreplaceable.

2

Bootcamps Demand a Village

Running a program like this requires an ecosystem of support. From our dedicated team of instructors to curriculum partners, lab partners, university partners, and sponsors—it takes a constellation of stakeholders to make this work, especially in a challenging environment. Yet, we persist.

3

Bootcamps Aren’t for Everyone—And That’s Okay

While impactful, this model has its limits. That’s why we’re developing additional educational offerings to reach more learners in flexible formats. Stay tuned for updates as we prototype new products!

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