KODA is a scholastic gaming and learning platform that helps schools and youth programs connect students’ interest in gaming with learning, portfolio building, and workforce development.
KODA’s story began with the work founders Ivan Gaton and Brandon Henriquez did at Video Game Amateurs, visiting schools and working directly with students to build pathways through scholastic gaming.
Through that work, they saw a gap: students had enthusiasm and opportunities to learn, but no cohesive pathway to carry that learning forward. They needed a way to turn their experiences into projects, demonstrate their growth, and build portfolios that could support their next steps into high school, college, and future careers.
KODA was created to help connect those steps.
We believe gaming and workforce development go hand in hand. Students’ interest in gaming can be a starting point for exploring what they can create, what they enjoy learning, and where they want to go next. Our goal is to help students turn that interest into work they can show and skills they can build on.
Founder & Chief Technical Architect
10+ years
Ad tech, digital media, and community building
At KODA: Leads technical architecture, with a focus on product strategy and industry engagement.
Co-Founder, Business Development
17+ years
Enterprise technology and education infrastructure
At KODA: Leads business development, institutional strategy, and education partnerships.
Director of Curriculum
10 years
EdTech product management
At KODA: Leads curriculum, drawing on experience teaching games in NYC after-school programs.
Lead Engineer
7+ years
Enterprise and independent product development
At KODA: Leads engineering for the platform connecting student profiles, programs, events, and opportunities.
Video Game Amateurs hosts gaming events and experiences supporting student pathways. That work includes the New York Video Game Festival, Power Up! Festival, and NYCCEC (NYC Collegiate eSports Circuit). KODA grew out of Ivan and Brandon’s experience there, to help connect scholastic gaming, learning, and workforce development.
KODA grew out of Video Game Amateurs’ work in schools. Video Game Amateurs hosts events and experiences, while KODA is the platform connecting scholastic gaming, learning, portfolio building, and workforce development.
KODA is built for schools and youth programs looking to connect students’ interest in gaming with learning and development. Our focus is on helping students carry what they learn forward into projects, portfolios, and their next educational steps.
We see students’ enthusiasm for gaming as a starting point for learning and creating. KODA’s goal is to help connect that interest with skills and work students can build on as they explore future opportunities.
Contact our team to discuss your students, program goals, and what you need. We can talk through KODA and the next steps for your school or organization.