Celebrating 40 Years of Ignited

Empowering Educators to Inspire Tomorrow’s Workforce

2025 marks four decades of Ignited’s transformative contributions to education. Founded in 1985 as Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Education (IISME) by 13 visionary Silicon Valley CEOs and UC Berkeley, Ignited has been a pioneer in bridging the gap between industry and education. Ignited’s programs equip teachers with practical industry experience that inspires cutting-edge curricula, which transformed students’ career trajectories and prepares them for success in the future workforce.

40 years later, Ignited has empowered 4,000 teachers, who in turn have influenced 4 million students by bringing innovative thinking and practical skills into K-14 classrooms.

We honor the dedication of our educators, industry partners, and community, all of whom have supported Ignited’s mission. This 40th anniversary reaffirms the continued relevance of our mission today and underscores the vital role of continued collaboration between education and industry.

Join us as we continue to build a future-ready workforce, ensuring that the next generation thrives in an ever-changing world.