Unow

Unow SAS, a Paris-based vocational training organization, was established in March 2013 by co-founders Jérémie Sicsic and Yannick Petit. The company has positioned itself in the European EdTech sector by providing digital learning solutions aimed at enhancing the strategic objectives of corporate clients. The idea for Unow originated from the founders' own experiences with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) during their studies; they recognized the format's potential to revolutionize professional training. Sicsic, a graduate of EMLYON Business School with a background in consulting and social innovation, oversees the company's commercial, marketing, and financial strategies. Petit's focus was on the technical aspects, such as computer code, while Sicsic concentrated on business creation fundamentals.

The company's initial offering was a MOOC on project management developed in partnership with Centrale Lille, which successfully trained 150,000 individuals and attracted corporate interest. This early success highlighted a significant gap in the market: the professional training sector had yet to undergo a digital transformation, presenting a challenge for HR and training departments. In response, Unow pivoted to focus on corporate clients, offering digital training that is both flexible and effective for employees. By 2016, Unow consolidated its offerings, including its 'Captain SPOC' brand for Small Private Online Courses, under the single Unow banner to affirm its market position. A significant milestone was the acquisition of Windie in January 2017. The company has secured $4.48 million in funding over two rounds, with a Series A round in September 2017 raising $3.59 million from investors including Bpifrance and M Capital.

Unow operates as a digital vocational training organization, serving corporate clients by digitalizing their training programs. The business model is centered on providing online, tutored training courses that are certifiable and focused on practical application. Clients can choose from a catalog of courses covering a wide range of transverse skills such as project management, remote management, sales techniques, digital skills, and cybersecurity. These courses are designed to be easily integrated into the busy schedules of professionals. The company generates revenue by selling these training programs to businesses for their employees. Its client roster includes major corporations like BNP Paribas, Air France, and Generali.

The core service is the provision of SPOCs and other online courses developed with a network of experts to teach 21st-century skills. Each participant receives individual support from an expert trainer. Unow emphasizes the practical impact of its training, reporting an 88% long-term skill retention rate among learners and a 92% satisfaction rate. The platform offers both off-the-shelf and custom-made courses to meet specific client needs. Unow also provides comprehensive support to its clients, including deployment assistance, progress tracking, and impact measurement to determine the return on education (ROE). The company has also embraced social responsibility, co-founding the IDEA Pact to promote diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility in its HR policies.

Keywords: professional training, digital learning, EdTech, corporate training, online courses, MOOC, SPOC, skills development, vocational training, employee training, e-learning solutions, human resources, project management training, B2B training, online learning platform, corporate education, skills gap, workforce development, remote learning, continuing education, certifiable courses