Our Mission & Story
We’re dedicated to advancing economic justice in communities impacted by the wealth and power of Silicon Valley, but excluded from its benefits.
Mission
Digital NEST (Nurturing Entrepreneurial Skills with Technology) empowers Latinx and all youth from underserved communities in California with the skills, resources, and network to build and launch successful careers.
Vision
We envision a country where all youth are supported on their career path with mentorship, training, and paid work experience. We want youth to dream big and achieve prosperity for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Who We Serve
We serve youth ages 14–24 at workforce development centers in Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton.
We provide access to opportunity in communities characterized by large numbers of low-income families; low high school graduation or college attendance rates; and high concentrations of agricultural or service workers.
Support our mission
Our Story
2014 – 2015: Experimental
First Digital NEST center opens in Watsonville
Launched initial pathways: Digital Arts & Technology (DA+T); and Web & Information Technology (WIT)
- First Digital NEST center opens in Watsonville
- Launched initial pathways: Digital Arts & Technology (DA+T); and Web & Information Technology (WIT)
2016 – 2019: Foundational
Digital NEST center opens in Salinas
Added third pathway: People, Projects & Leadership
BizzNEST launches in 2016 with 5 interns
First annual NEST Flight conference hosts 250+ youth
- Digital NEST center opens in Salinas
- Added third pathway: People, Projects & Leadership
- BizzNEST launches in 2016 with 5 interns
- First annual NEST Flight conference hosts 250+ youth
2020 – 2021: Evolutionary
Our Gilroy center opens
Launches COVID-19 response
Digital NEST receives $5MM to scale in 5 communities.
Jacob Martinez, CEO, receives 2020 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award.
- Our Gilroy center opens
- Launches COVID-19 response
- Digital NEST receives $5MM to scale in 5 communities.
- Jacob Martinez, CEO, receives 2020 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award.
2021 – 2025: Scaling
Digital NEST center opens in Modesto
Launched Career Services department
Refined and launched the member journey program model
Digital NEST center opens in Stockton
Welcomed 52 bizzNEST interns in 2024
Purchased Digital NEST building in Gilroy
- Digital NEST center opens in Modesto
- Launched Career Services department
- Refined and launched the member journey program model
- Digital NEST center opens in Stockton
- Welcomed 52 bizzNEST interns in 2024
- Purchased Digital NEST building in Gilroy
Today & Beyond
By scaling deeper into our communities, Digital NEST is closing the opportunity gap for thousands of young people. We aim to identify viable expansion opportunities and strategies for us to scale our impact.
You can help us grow.
- By scaling deeper into our communities, Digital NEST is closing the opportunity gap for thousands of young people. We aim to identify viable expansion opportunities and strategies for us to scale our impact.
- You can help us grow.