What was the key inspiration behind founding Archipel Academy?

The key inspiration for starting Archipel Academy stemmed from recognizing the immense upskilling challenge posed by digitalization and automation, a process only accelerated by artificial intelligence (AI).

We understood that learning and development have become more crucial than ever. We believed that the process of searching for and booking educational training sessions could be made faster, more affordable, and above all, more personalized. This belief was the foundation upon which Archipel Academy was established.

As we rapidly became the market leader in the Netherlands, our vision has evolved: We now aim to become the world’s largest marketplace for education and training.

What’s a significant challenges have Archipel Academy faced? How did you overcome them?

A significant challenge we faced was entering a market dominated by established players who already had their customer base and methodologies. We believed in the power of consolidation, which led us to acquire five competitors, positioning us as the sole independent training intermediary in the Netherlands. This experience taught us the importance of strategic acquisitions in achieving market dominance and fulfilling our vision.

So what exactly sets Archipel Academy apart in your industry?

What sets Archipel Academy apart is that we don’t just provide a platform like many LMS (Learning Management System) companies do, but we combine it with content from 16,000 providers offering over 300,000 different learning interventions. We merge the strengths of a comprehensive platform with the market’s largest available offering. We further differentiate ourselves by personalizing learning journeys through AI to achieve the greatest impact.

Which principles shape your decision-making?
The core values guiding us and our company include a strong emphasis on personalization, a transparent and entrepreneurial culture, and a commitment to keeping individuals, teams, and companies fit for the future. These values influence our decision-making and shape our company culture, driving us to innovate continuously and respond proactively to the evolving needs of the market.

What motivated you to join Techleap for Scaleups’ Rise programme?

Joining the Techleap Rise programme was motivated by our desire to scale our impact and expand our reach. We believe this aligns perfectly with our current needs to navigate growth challenges and our future goals of international expansion. The programme offers valuable resources, networks, and expertise that can help us accelerate our journey towards becoming a global leader in the education and training industry.

Looking ahead, what are your main goals and aspirations in the next few years?

Looking towards the future, our main goal is to provide a comprehensive offering on a global scale and to become the largest worldwide content catalog. We aim to expand our influence and offerings to meet the growing global demand for accessible and personalized learning solutions.