"Inspiring students, one robot at a time."
The REC Foundation is a US nonprofit that runs VEX-based robotics and drone competitions reaching 1.1 million students across 70 countries.
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) is a US-based nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on, affordable robotics competitions and programs. RECF's programs span elementary school through college and reach approximately 1.1 million students across 70 countries.
Its flagship offerings include the RECF Robotics Competition (built on the VEX Robotics platform, including VEX IQ and VEX V5), the Aerial Drone Competition and ADC Pro, Online Challenges, and a JROTC Robotics Program. The foundation also operates workforce-development initiatives such as industry-recognized certifications, the International Robotics Honor Society, internships, scholarships, grants, and an alumni association. Equity- and inclusion-focused programs include Girl Powered, presented by Google, and Indigenous Robotics. RECF supports a large ecosystem of event partners, volunteers, and coaches, providing training, knowledge-base resources, and operational support for thousands of competition events worldwide, including the annual VEX Robotics World Championship held in St. Louis, Missouri.
The organization works with major corporate and institutional partners including Amazon, Chevron, Eaton, General Dynamics IT, Google, Kettering University, NASA, Robolink, Tesla, and Texas Instruments, who provide grants, sponsorships, mentorship, and program funding. RECF positions its competition programs as a direct response to workforce and industry needs, citing that participants are more likely to pursue STEM study beyond high school. As a research and education institution rather than a commercial robotics vendor, RECF's mission centers on inspiring students and building pathways into STEM and robotics careers.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
WEBSITE
https://recf.org/HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
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Primary Role
Research Institute
Company Size
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Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
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Funding Stage
Grant / Non-profit
Funding Total
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