Raspberry Pi Foundation

The Raspberry Pi Foundation's journey began in 2008, born out of a concern shared by a group at the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory. They noticed a decline in the number and skill levels of students applying for computer science courses. Their vision was to reignite the passion for computing and digital creation among young people. This led to the formal establishment of the Raspberry Pi Foundation as a UK-based educational charity in May 2009. The co-founders, including Eben Upton, Rob Mullins, Jack Lang, Alan Mycroft, David Braben, and Pete Lomas, aimed to create a low-cost, programmable computer that could make learning about technology accessible and exciting, reminiscent of the early days of personal computing with platforms like the BBC Micro. Their idea was to strip away the complexity of modern PCs and provide a hands-on experience with the inner workings of a computer system.

The first Raspberry Pi computer, the Model B, launched in February 2012, and its success was immediate and overwhelming, far exceeding the founders' initial expectations. This rapid growth necessitated a new structure. In early 2013, the organization was split into two parts: the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which continues to focus on charitable and educational activities, and Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd., a commercial subsidiary responsible for the engineering, manufacturing, and distribution of Raspberry Pi computers and related technologies. The profits generated by Raspberry Pi (Trading) Ltd. are funneled back to the Foundation to fund its educational mission. Over the years, the Foundation has expanded its reach and impact significantly. It has developed a wide range of free educational resources, supports a global network of coding clubs like Code Club and CoderDojo (which merged with the Foundation in 2015 and 2017, respectively), and provides training for educators. The Foundation's work now extends to numerous countries, with a commitment to reaching young people from all backgrounds, particularly those traditionally underrepresented in technology. Their core mission remains to empower young people worldwide to realize their full potential through the power of computing and digital technologies.