BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polaris Partners today announced that the CoderDojo movement is coming to Boston. Inspired and driven by the Hello World Foundation (HWF), CoderDojo offers free computer coding clubs for more than 10,000 young people across 27 countries around the world. Polaris is partnering with the City of Boston to hold the first "dojo" at District Hall on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Guided by mentors who are experts in their field, CoderDojo participants learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more.
"We are thrilled that Polaris will help bring coding to Boston kids," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "What could be better to bring together at District Hall than students and their potential."
Polaris anticipates this session to be the first of many which will ultimately spread throughout the neighborhoods of Boston and Cambridge. Registration for the November 23 dojo is open to youths ages 10-14 who are eager to begin developing their computer coding skills. No prior coding experience is necessary. Interested parents can get more information and sign up here.
"For years, we have been committed to supporting the technology community in meaningful ways and CoderDojo is an investment in our collective future," said Dave Barrett, managing partner at Polaris Partners. "Imagine the entrepreneurial power of a new generation that can thrive technologically in the same manner that our generation did in areas such as athletics and the arts. We are supporting something very special here."
Leading the Boston CoderDojo session will be James Whelton, founder of the HWF, whose vision has impacted the lives of thousands of young coders. In conjunction with his efforts to expand the foundation's work in the United States, James will become an Entrepreneur Out-of-Residence (EOR) for Polaris Partners. Polaris also will become the first corporate sponsor of HWF.
Polaris Venture Partner Noel Ruane is a Founding Board Member of HWF and has seen firsthand the impact of Whelton's work over several years:
"James brings to us a unique intellectual prowess, a tremendous strategic vision for the future of coding, and the entrepreneurial rigor to achieve the significant goals he has set forth," said Ruane. "We are thrilled to welcome James to one of the premier centers of innovation in the world to continue his fine work and we look forward to being an integral part of his success."
For more information about the November 23rd CoderDojo session, please visit http://zen.coderdojo.com/dojo/516 or contact Alison Powers at 781-522-6724.
About Polaris Partners
Founded in 1996, Polaris Partners has more than $3.5 billion in capital under management which we invest into a diverse portfolio of technology and healthcare companies throughout their lifecycles. From the earliest startup phases through the growth equity stages, Polaris Partners takes minority and majority positions alongside outstanding management teams to help grow industry leading companies like Ascend, Akamai, Ironwood, LogMeIn, Q1 Labs, and Receptos. With offices in Boston, San Francisco and Dublin, Polaris partners with an unparalleled network of repeat CEOs, entrepreneurs, top scientists and emerging innovators who are positioned to make a significant impact in their fields and vastly improve the way in which we all live and work. The result: Hundreds of growing companies, thousands of jobs generated, and billions of dollars of value created. For more information, visit: www.polarispartners.com.
About Hello World Foundation
Our purpose is to create the world's leading network of affiliated coding clubs for young people. Established in early 2013 by James Whelton co-founder of CoderDojo, the Hello World Foundation is a small team who are all passionate about coding, community and technology education. For more information, visit www.helloworldfoundation.com.