Qwasar: A 21st-century Software Engineering School
Enter a new universe of top-level, affordable tech talent programs for the digital economy.
The Leading, Industry-aligned Software Engineering School in Silicon Valley, California, and the US.
Qwasar Silicon Valley is the only training provider that trains to Silicon Valley standards in software engineering. We do not compromise on computer science fundamentals, the rigor required to be an engineer, or the standards expected in writing quality code. We’re good at what we do and also boast one of the world’s best adult learning platform for software fields which we use to power our software engineering school as well as partner campuses.
We’re honored to announce that, from thousands of applicants, Qwasar is one of the top 200 companies on Holon IQ‘s North America EdTech 200 list in 2023. We’re one 1 of 12 distinguished startups selected in the competitive STEAM category!
Our Mission
Our History
- 3 successful IT & softwareengineering schools aroundthe world
- Educated 25,000+ studentsover the last 20 years
- Won 3 awards including adistinguished WISE award
- Built a high school program for learning to code & pass the AP CSP exam
- Built a project incubator program
- Created an intensive one-year training program that placed over 75% of students in Tier 1 tech companies
Advancing Learning, Science, and Data
As a team and startup out of UC Berkeley, we’re proud to have participated in exceptional programs focused on startup incubation and market exploration.
The CITRIS Foundry focuses on high-impact startups using technology for the positive impact on society, both in the US and globally.
Our Team
Kwame Yamgnane
Kwame is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder based in Berkley, CA. Prior to founding Qwasar, Kwame was the co-founder and Managing Director of 42 Silicon Valley and co-founder of 42 in Paris. 42 is a computer programming school that reached international acclaim. Kwame opened both campuses and helped 12 other campuses around the world. Kwame led growth, expansion, and operations at Epitech, France’s leading private IT university and has a deep industry background, having worked with the national police force, France’s distinguished sailing team, and top tier tech companies in France.
Currently, his focus is on expanding new technologies and innovations in education to the Americas, Africa, and Asia, with a focus on digital economy workforce and skill development.
Gaetan Juvin
Gaetan is also a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Qwasar. He has an extensive background in software engineering, learning science, business, AI, and management. He co-founded an AI startup that was bought by SAP in 2018 and was the first employee of 42 in Paris as well as the founding team of 42 Silicon Valley.
Gaetan designed and built 2 programs in California that had significant impact on student employment rates and high schooler AP exam success rates.
Currently, his focus is on expanding the Qwasar platform and building the next generation of learning, working, and recruitment platforms using today’s technologies. He is passionate about the environment, nature, Corsica, automation, and ethics in AI.
Jennifer Robertson
Jennifer is a Qwasar co-founder, baker, writer, and loves sports. She has a mixed background with 10+ years in marketing, sales, business development, strategy and execution, customer acquisition, and operations, having worked in education, international development, broadcasting, and customer service industries.
Prior to Qwasar, Jennifer worked with Kwame at 42 Silicon Valley, doubled enrollment in less than 18 months and established the brand in the US. She also created and ran an incubator on campus, serving as an advisor to 10+ teams of projects and startups. In other roles, she was the ghost writer for the Chief Innovation Officer of the University of California in their Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship and built digital marketing and market analysis systems for edtech companies in the K12 industry.
Kristen Capuzzo
Kristen is a Digital Marketing Manager at Qwasar and is based in Charlotte, NC.
Kristen graduated from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT with a Master’s of Business Administration. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management. Kristen focused on Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Project Management, and Advertising throughout her education at Quinnipiac University. She studied abroad in Ireland for a semester and really enjoyed learning about different European cultures.
At Qwasar, Kristen is engaged in content creation, social media and blogging, and website integration. She focuses on SEO, interviewing, email marketing and digital advertisements.
In her free time, Kristen enjoys skiing, running, cooking, and traveling. Kristen also enjoys learning about project management and process improvement.
Deidra Moss
Deidra is a Business Development Assistant at Qwasar and is based in the San Francisco, CA Bay area.
Deidra has a varied background in Finance and Administration working with small businesses, government and community colleges with account reconciliations and cash flow management. She also has provided an inclusive learning environment working in special education focusing on deaf/hard-of hearing learners and those who identify as neurodiverse.
At Qwasar, Deidra assists the executive team develop business and partnership opportunities. She is involved in business opportunity tracking/management, operations and administrative support. She focuses on writing proposals, events and project management.
Outside of work, Deidra enjoys learning about UX design. She finds joy in giving back by engaging in volunteer work, both domestically and abroad. Throughout the Bay area, Deidra embraces the diversity of foods, enjoying world-renowned locales, and accessing nature by exploring hiking trails.
John Jepsen
John is a skilled Data Analyst and Technical Program Manager located in central Georgia. His capability in data analysis and program management work co-currently with Qwasar’s dedication to excellence and innovation in contemporary education.
John’s tech journey began in 2020 with Qwasar, where he honed his technical skills. Prior to that, he attended The University of Minnesota-Duluth where he focused on Business Management. His career took him to a variety of states and communities. Those experiences have equipped John with excellent communication skills and a deep understanding of serving diverse communities.
As a Data Analyst, John excels at interpretation of complex data for strategic decision making and improved educational outcomes. As the Technical Program Manager, John is responsible for curriculum oversight and implementation to drives student engagement and ensures success.
Gabriel Catani
Gabriel is a software engineer based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has a solid background in project and product management, both in big corporations and startups, developing solutions in different markets.
He joined Qwasar in the fall of 2020, in the software engineer program, advancing his career transition into IT. While doing the program, he used his communications skills to help out other students on their learning journeys. After completing Qwasar program, he joined few based AI companies, leading different engineering, product and design teams, with solutions ranging from Agriculture to Security.
Before joining Qwasar, Gabriel got his Economics and International Relations bachelor’s degree in Brazil, and started working in projects all over Brazil, with multi national teams.
Caitlin Carlton
Caitlin is an External Communications and Human Operations Specialist at Qwasar. She is based near Charlotte, NC.
TTY
TTY is our beloved mascot and favorite English bulldog. He brings love (and smelliness) to our team.
Our Advisory Board
Giorgio Regni
Giorgio Regni is the co-founder and CTO of Scality. He has a deep background in software engineering, cloud infrastructure, databases, and business. He’s also a great musician!
Sergio Letelier
Sergio is the VP and Deputy General Counsel, Mergers & Acquisitions, at Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Professor Greg La Blanc
Professor Greg La Blanc is Faculty Director of the Berkeley Fintech Institute and Professor in Strategy, Finance, and Law at UC Berkeley.
Roger Spitz
Roger Spitz is the founder of Techistential, the global foresight strategy and futures intelligence platform. He has two decades leading investment banking businesses, M&A, advising CEOs, founders, boards, shareholders and decision makers of companies globally on how to future-proof their business.
Cecile Thirion
Cecile is founder and principal at Thirion Advisors and is an internationally recognized marketing consultant with a background in SaaS, sales, and digital marketing. Featured in two 40 under 40 lists, she also serves as a mentor to startups and focuses on helping them make an impact.
Nicolas Guillaume
Nicolas is a Sr. Software Engineer at Amazon and was on the very early team of engineers who built S3 at AWS. He has a deep technical background in infrastructure, SaaS, and scalable systems.
Our Science
Take at look at some of the learning and behavioural science behind our programs and platform.
Our Cutting-edge Platform
Get an overview of some of the innovative and industry-leading elements of our learning platform.