A significant contribution to computer science education was announced today as HashiCorp co-founder Armon Dadgar and his partner Joshua Kalla have pledged $3 million to the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering.
The substantial gift from the UW alumnus and his partner will be allocated across two major initiatives. One million dollars will establish an endowed professorship bearing their names, aimed at advancing the school’s leadership in combining systems and artificial intelligence research. The remaining $2 million will support the Allen School Student Success Fund, which focuses on creating opportunities for first-generation college students and Washington state K-12 students who have limited access to computing education.
This generous donation follows their previous contribution of $3.6 million in 2019, which has already supported 35 scholars through the university’s Educational Opportunity Program.
Dadgar, who co-founded HashiCorp in 2012 alongside fellow UW computer science graduate Mitchell Hashimoto, has maintained strong ties to his alma mater. The company they built together achieved unicorn status in 2018, reaching a valuation of $1.9 billion, before being acquired by IBM in February 2025 for $6.4 billion. HashiCorp, headquartered in San Francisco, specializes in cloud infrastructure automation technology.
Reflecting on the motivation behind the gift, Dadgar emphasized the transformative power of education in promoting economic mobility. “Our goal is to broaden the pathways into computer science and technology, and particularly to focus on first-generation college students where we can have a multi-generational impact on both the individual and their families,” he stated.
The donation represents a full-circle moment for Dadgar, who credits his success to the comprehensive education he received at the Allen School. The institution’s broad research exposure in operating systems, virtualization, and networking provided him with the fundamental knowledge that would later prove crucial in establishing HashiCorp.
His partner in this philanthropic endeavor, Joshua Kalla, brings his own academic credentials to the partnership. Currently serving as an associate professor at Yale University, Kalla holds appointments in both political science and statistics and data science. The couple, who now call Seattle home, have demonstrated their commitment to advancing educational opportunities through their continued support of the University of Washington.
This gift arrives at a crucial time in computer science education, as the field continues to evolve rapidly with the advancement of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The endowed professorship will specifically target the intersection of systems and AI, positioning the Allen School to maintain its leadership role in these critical areas of computer science research and education.
The Student Success Fund portion of the gift aligns with broader efforts to diversify the technology sector and create more inclusive pathways into computing careers. By focusing on first-generation college students and K-12 students with limited access to computing education, the fund aims to address systemic barriers that have historically prevented talented individuals from pursuing careers in technology.
The impact of their previous donation in 2019 demonstrates the tangible effects such contributions can have on students’ lives. The success of the 35 scholars supported through their initial gift provides a blueprint for how this new funding can continue to transform educational opportunities for future generations of computer science students at the University of Washington.