About DYGI
The Digital Divide Ends Here
At DYGI, we harness the power of gaming and fun to certify our youth with digital skills that prepare them for a tech-driven career.
About DYGI: The Idea
DYGI was created from a simple yet powerful idea – use technology and fun to empower the next generation with skills that can change their life regardless of economic status.
The rise of a system called Gamification, where learning through playing games, has proven much more impactful than traditional means of teaching technical skills. Many Fortune 500 companies are using gamification to increase course completion, motivate their staff to skill-up, and get certifications needed for success.
Some key aspects of the Gamification process are engagement, autonomy, and reward. Healthy levels of competition also drive individuals’ desire to be on top. DYGI wants to leverage this primal instinct in our youth to propel them into the workforce or higher education. DYGI will allow our youth to find their niche, their drive, their “thing” through the use of gaming, technology availability, and mentorship.
Some Examples of Gamification In Use Today
Cisco
Use Case
Cybersecurity training & CISCO certifications.
Gamification Example
“Keeping our learners engaged and up-to-speed is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. Gamified enablement is a dynamic approach that addresses this by tapping into our natural desire for competition, recognition, and accomplishment.”
“We are focused on integrating gamification elements that keep learners engaged.”
Deloitte
Use Case
Leadership development and compliance training.
Gamification Example
Deloitte’s Leadership Academy incorporated gamified elements such as badges, leaderboards, and progress tracking, resulting in a 50% increase in course completion rates.
“We continue to encourage employee engagement & product innovation through the use of gamification.”
IBM
Use Case
Help businesses and governments explore complex issues & solutions.
Gamification Example
IBM’s CityOne is an online simulation game developed by IBM that allows players to explore various real-world business challenges and solutions in urban environments.
In CityOne, players act as city planners, business executives, and government officials tasked with addressing pressing urban challenges.
SAP
Use Case
Cybersecurity training for employees.
Gamification Example
SAP created an online “capture the flag” game to train software developers in cybersecurity best practices. “We turned a ‘must do’ into a ‘wanna do’ by utilizing gaming.”
“Gamification is also becoming more popular amongst our customers and partners, we are using it in a pre & post-sales context to improve ROI.”
Reaching Our Youth:
Most people will do anything to avoid boredom, our kids are no different. Instead of limiting fun in search of education, DYGI will incorporate principals almost every Fortune 500 company has embraced, education through gaming.
DYGI will tap into the human desire to be recognized, embrace healthy competition, and drive motivation by taking complex skills and breaking them into bite-sized modules through our ITEMS programs. The goal is to extract their potential by taking queues from what they already play.
Many games already have multiple career-minded skills incorporated in them. Our team translates the skills in-game to real-world topics. By watching what they do in their free time we can show them pathways to make their future careers fun, rewarding, and financially beneficial.
About DYGI: Hal’s Vision
At 19, I discovered my path. After years of feeling lost and unsure of where I belonged, I found a place where my gifts made sense—at Best Buy in Roseville, MN, in 1997. I was selling car audio, but more than that, I was connecting people with technology in a way that improved their lives. It was exciting, fast-paced, and constantly evolving. Every day was a chance to learn, grow, and help others understand the value of tech. That experience lit a spark in me.
I realized this wasn’t just a job—it was a calling. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to using technology as a bridge—to close gaps, to empower others, and to help create brighter futures. That purpose drives everything we do at this company. It’s personal. It’s powerful. And it’s just the beginning.
About DYGI: Dan’s Vision
I know what it’s like to feel lost. I grew up in a single-parent home without a strong role model and too much unstructured time. After making some tough choices in my youth, I turned back to the one constant in my life—tech and gaming.
That passion gave me direction. Over 25 years later, I’m grateful for the mentors who believed in me and helped me grow into who I am today. Their guidance changed everything, and I’ve made it my mission to pay it forward. Since 2005, I’ve mentored over 40 people—many with zero tech experience—and helped them launch successful careers in the industry.
I co-founded DYGI because I believe every young person deserves a chance to discover their potential through tech, just like I did.
About DYGI: The Mission
Now, DYGI is on a mission to remove barriers to technology and education to ensure every student has an opportunity to explore, learn, and build a future in the tech industry. We meet young people where they are and turn their gaming passions into career opportunities.
Our vision aligns with Minnesota’s commitment to expanding computer science education in K-12 schools, but many students still lack the resources to take full advantage.
DYGI provides mentorship and professional contacts for our students to utilize through their education process and after as professionals in their chosen field.
For families, DYGI offers a path to success beyond traditional education.
For students, DYGI is a place to grow, learn, and connect.
For donors, DYGI is an investment in the next generation of tech leaders.
Case for Change:
Breaking Down Barriers to Tech Careers
After solving how to motivate and teach our youth, we now need to break down the barriers that make entry to the field of their choice more difficult.
Students in Ivy League colleges and wealthy communities have something the rest of us do not: access to technology and connections that get them in the door. You may be one of the most intelligent and talented people for the job, but without proper connections and mentorship, your chances of obtaining a shot at greatness massively diminish.
DYGI solves these issues through our programs by providing the technology tailored to each learning path. By coupling the training with the technology, DYGI reduces the burden of local communities and school districts of having to buy, maintain and upgrade there equipment as the industry changes. Dedicated DYGI staff are assigned to ensure the tools we use to teach a course are above and beyond the needs to complete the course.
After assessment and initial training sessions, DYGI provides access to the proper skilled industry professionals in their chosen field. These mentors stick with them through out their time in our programs. When it’s time to put their resume out to the public, they have had people that hire, manage and work in the sector, that helped them craft their resume and in some cases, get them job opportunities that are not advertised.
Once in their first job, the DYGI mentorship program will be with them to help guide them through the many challenges they will face in their career.
Our Goals for Impact:
DYGI believes in setting goals and sticking to them. 2025 is our first year with full live programming. We start by making a ripple and we become a wave of new tech leaders. Please join us on our journey.
Tech Certifications in 12 Months
Site Partnerships in 12 Months
New Youth In DYGI Programming in 12 Months
Contact DYGI
Contact us if you are interested in connecting with DYGI. We are excited to collaborate with you and your educational goals.
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