STEMLab Coding and Robotics Academy was founded by Jody van Heerden, the visionary behind the award-winning CAD4ALL Institute of Architecture & Digital Arts, which celebrates 18 years of excellence in 2025. STEMLab was born out of a growing national and global need to prepare learners for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With coding now legislated as a compulsory subject in South African schools, Jody recognised the urgent need to equip young minds with future-proof skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Leveraging from close to 2 decades of success in tertiary education, STEMLab was created as a hands-on, fun, and engaging academy where learners aged 5 to 18 can explore coding, robotics, 3D design, and engineering in a practical environment using world-class, exclusive kits and software.

STEMLab is more than an academy, it is a growing national franchise model, designed to scale into every region across South Africa and beyond. Looking ahead, our vision is the launch of STEMVarsity, A future-facing tertiary institution where our current STEMLab academies serve as talent feeders. Franchisees will have the opportunity to offer formal tertiary education qualifications under the STEMVarsity banner, completing the learning journey from school enrichment to certified tertiary pathways in innovation, engineering, and technology.

Together, STEMLab and STEMVarsity aim to transform education, empower learners, and build the skilled workforce needed for tomorrow’s digital economy.

STEMLab Coding and Robotics Academy is South Africa’s leading educational franchise specializing in hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning through coding, robotics, and engineering design. Our academy is built on the foundation of engaging learners aged 5 to 18 in future-focused skills that are fun, practical, and aligned with global educational trends.

What makes STEMLab truly unique is our exclusive ownership of a world-class range of robotics and coding kits,we hold the sole distribution and educational rights to this superior product line. These kits are the most advanced of their kind, featuring close to 40 different modular variations that teach children everything from coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to electronics, Internet of Things (IoT), green technology, engineering, and digital design. Each kit is supported by comprehensive teacher and learner guides, ensuring high-quality, structured learning both in the classroom and at home.

Franchisees not only gain access to the STEMLab business model and curriculum but also have the exclusive right to sell these robotics and coding kits to:

• Students enrolled in after-school and weekend STEMLab programs
• Individual end-users and hobbyists
• Schools, via specialised teacher kits and training

Our model is constantly evolving, with new kits and learning content developed regularly to keep our offering cutting-edge and competitive.

The ideal location for a STEMLab franchise is any town or suburb with schools within LSM 5–10. We cater to forward-thinking communities that value innovation, education, and youth development.

Our target market includes:

• Parents and learners are passionate about STEM
• Schools seeking to enhance their curriculum
• Home-schooling families
• Educators interested in becoming part of the digital transformation in education
• Anyone wanting to participate in the booming STEM education revolution

A typical STEMLab franchise runs with a small, highly skilled team, including:

• 1–2 coding and robotics instructors (part-time or full-time)
• A centre coordinator or manager
• Sales support staff for kit distribution (optional depending on scale)

STEMLab is more than a business—it’s a movement to ignite curiosity, creativity, and capability in the next generation of problem solvers, creators, and innovators.