More Than a Lab: The Mission-Driven Story of SMARTCore Labs in Pearland & Manvel

We are so proud to share that our founder, Hamid Ali, was recently featured in Voyage Houston to talk about the story behind SmartCore Labs.

For many families in Pearland and Manvel, we're the place where their kids build their first robot or code their first game. But we're often asked why we started. The answer is simple, and it’s the core of everything we do: to make STEM education hands-on, affordable, and accessible to every single child.

It’s a story of passion, personal sacrifice, and a deep-seated belief in our community.

A Mission Funded by Passion (and a Paycheck)

SmartCore Labs began in 2017 as a weekend session for a handful of neighborhood kids. At the time, our founder, Hamid, was still working a full-time corporate career. But he was driven by a mission.

He saw that too many high-quality STEM programs were expensive, exclusive, and out of reach for many families. He believed that cost should never be a barrier for a child to explore technology.

So, he funded SmartCore Labs himself, using his own salary to get it off the ground. He set the price at just $100 a month—a price point designed to open doors, not close them.

Our "Community First" Promise: Why We’re Different

In the early days, Hamid faced immense challenges. He shares in the article that there were times he had to take personal loans just to keep the doors open and make payroll, all because he "couldn’t bring myself to deny children an opportunity to learn."

That "community first" promise holds true today.

We have grown entirely through word-of-mouth and the trust of our families. We are not a rigid corporation; we are a local lab with a heart. We understand that families face challenges. As Hamid told Voyage Houston:

"We see families who want their children to be part of our programs but simply can’t afford it at the moment. But we never stop their classes. Parents pay what they can and when they can."

This isn't a typical business model. It's a responsibility to our mission and to the kids who look forward to learning with us every week. When we see a student's eyes light up as they build their first robot, we know it's the right path.

It's Not Just What We Teach, It's Who Teaches It

Our mission to provide accessible STEM doesn't mean we compromise on quality. It's the opposite. We believe all kids deserve the best, which is why we are a STEM.org Accredited organization.

Our method is built on "learning by doing." Every class is project-based, giving students the confidence and critical-thinking skills to become real-world problem-solvers.

A huge part of that success comes from our team. As Hamid notes, "Our instructors... are full-time teachers or educators by profession... they don’t just teach — they mentor, they inspire, and they care deeply about every student’s progress."

From a Local Idea to a Thriving STEM Hub, SMARTCore Labs

What started as a small, self-funded idea has grown into a thriving ecosystem of over 400 young innovators across our Pearland and Manvel labs and our partner schools.

We are incredibly proud to be a local business, born right here in our community. As Hamid said, "Houston isn’t just where we work — it’s where our mission comes alive."

When you enroll your child at SmartCore Labs, you're not just signing up for a class. You're joining a community that believes in your child’s potential and is committed to helping them build their future.

We invite you to read the full, inspiring article in Voyage Houston: https://voyagehouston.com/interview/check-out-hamid-alis-story/

Want to experience the SmartCore Labs difference for yourself?

We offer a FREE, no-commitment demo class.

Click here to book your spot!