Torch
Torch is a San Francisco-based leadership development platform that combines certified human coaching with its Spark AI agent and Org Intelligence analytics to deliver customized leadership programs to mid-market and enterprise HR and talent teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Torch does
Torch is a leadership development platform founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco that combines expert human coaching with its proprietary Spark AI agent and an organizational intelligence layer to deliver integrated leadership programs to mid-market and enterprise clients. The company's three core products are Spark AI Agent (always-on AI coaching, conversation rehearsal, and adaptive scenario simulations), Change Coaching (1:1 and group coaching delivered by certified coaches including doctoral-qualified psychologists), and Org Intelligence (real-time aggregation of anonymized patterns across coaching sessions to surface transformation risk indicators and engagement signals). These products are sold together as customized programs built around Torch's contextual coaching methodology and a built-in 360-degree feedback instrument that maps five leadership capacities (adaptive mindset, trust-building, systemic intelligence, collective leadership, transformative impact) directly to strategic priorities. Named enterprise customers include Airbnb, Reddit, LinkedIn, Tripadvisor, Twitch, FICO, Lattice, and CrossCountry Consulting, spanning technology, travel, financial services, and consulting verticals.
The company generates revenue through quote-based annual subscription contracts with enterprise HR/L&D and talent teams, priced based on organizational size, number of participants, leadership levels, and coaching format (1:1, group, cohort-based, AI-only, or blended). Torch operates a direct enterprise field sales motion supplemented by inside sales, with a 'Get a Demo' CTA as the primary conversion mechanism. Marketing is content-driven, leveraging blogs, ebooks, webinars, customer case studies, and earned media in business and HR publications. The company has 251-500 employees and has raised approximately $87.8 million across disclosed rounds, most recently a $40 million Series C in May 2022 led by 137 Ventures. Strategic inorganic activity includes the 2020 acquisition of Everwise and the July 2025 acquisition of Praxis Labs, an AI learning platform acquired to deepen AI-powered organizational intelligence.
Torch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Torch
- Legal name
- Torch Leadership Labs
- Website
- https://torch.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Torch is a San Francisco-based leadership development platform that combines certified human coaching with its Spark AI agent and Org Intelligence analytics to deliver customized leadership programs to mid-market and enterprise HR and talent teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Torch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Leadership Development Platform
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coaching Leadership & Mentoring Skills (EDABAAAG), Strategy, Decision-Making & Business Acumen Coaching (EDABANAH), Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH)
Keywords
Where Torch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Torch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Leadership Coaching Subscriptions: Torch generates revenue through enterprise coaching subscriptions, typically sold as organizational-wide programs. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated per engagement, based on organizational size, program scope, and coaching format (1:1, group, cohort, AI-only, or blended). Programs are sold to talent and HR/L&D teams at mid-market and enterprise companies.
- AI-Powered Practice (Spark): Spark AI agent can be deployed standalone or alongside expert coaching, offering scalable AI-powered leadership development. Revenue derived as part of integrated coaching programs or as separate AI-only subscriptions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise coaching programs - quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Torch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Torch sells an integrated leadership development platform that combines expert human coaching (many coaches are doctoral-qualified psychologists and therapists) with its Spark AI agent and Org Intelligence analytics to deliver 1:1, group, cohort-based, and AI-powered coaching programs to mid-market and enterprise organizations. Programs are anchored in Torch's contextual coaching methodology and built-in 360-degree feedback instrument, and are designed to connect individual leadership growth directly to the client's strategic priorities and organizational transformation outcomes.
Product overview
Torch is a leadership coaching and alignment platform that combines three core integrated products: Spark AI Agent (always-on AI coaching and simulation), Change Coaching (expert human coaching with certified professionals), and Org Intelligence (real-time organizational analytics). The platform operates as a unified coaching + AI system where individual growth connects to collective organizational progress. Spark AI reinforces coaching between sessions, Change Coaching provides expert human guidance, and Org Intelligence surfaces patterns across teams—all connected to deliver measurable leadership development aligned with business strategy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spark AI Agent: AI coaching agent that provides always-on guidance for leadership development, practice simulations, and real-time feedback
- Org Intelligence
- Change Coaching
Products and services
- Spark AI Agent Always-on AI coaching agent that reinforces expert coaching through daily practice simulations, conversation rehearsal, and real-time guidance. Uses generative AI scenario simulations and adaptive recommendation logic, can be deployed standalone or as part of blended coaching programs, and is targeted at leaders and emerging leaders across enterprise organizations.
- Change Coaching Expert human coaching service that pairs certified coaches (many doctoral-qualified psychologists and therapists) with leaders through 1:1 and group engagements to build adaptive mindset, trust-building, and change management capacities tied to organizational strategic priorities. Targeted at HR/L&D buyers at mid-market and enterprise companies.
- Org Intelligence Real-time organizational intelligence platform providing visibility into transformation progress, aggregating anonymized patterns from coaching sessions and AI interactions to surface early warning signs of resistance, disengagement, or talent risk across teams. Targeted at HR/L&D leaders and transformation sponsors at mid-market and enterprise organizations.
- AI Readiness Coaching Solution package combining Spark AI practice, expert coaching, and Org Intelligence to help leaders develop the trust-building, ambiguity navigation, and experimentation capacities required for successful enterprise AI adoption. Targeted at organizations undergoing AI transformation.
- Organizational Restructuring Support Solution package equipping leaders to rebuild trust, clarify roles, and maintain team alignment through organizational changes, mergers, and restructures, delivered through expert coaching, Spark AI, and Org Intelligence signals.
- Organizational Resilience Training Solution package building adaptive mindset, trust-building, emotional intelligence, and resilience leadership capacities, surfacing early burnout signals through Org Intelligence while supporting daily practice via Spark AI.
- Leadership Growth Comprehensive leadership development solution spanning emerging leaders through executives, developing strategic foresight, complexity navigation, talent cultivation, and purpose alignment through expert coaching and Spark AI practice.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% of Torch-coached leaders report improved confidence navigating change
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Torch
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Torch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
Torch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Praxis LabscoreTorch announced the acquisition of Praxis Labs, an AI learning platform, to enhance leadership development offerings with AI-powered organizational intelligence. The integration aimed to improve leadership training effectiveness by linking it directly to business outcomes and strategic priorities.
- LinkedInflagshipPartnership with LinkedIn delivering leadership development programs. Results showed 62% improvement in leadership capacities among participants and 3% to 16% AI adoption improvement, demonstrating measurable business impact.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Torch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BetterUp: BetterUp is the most direct competitor to Torch — an enterprise coaching platform combining human coaching with AI-driven personalization and analytics, selling into HR/L&D buyers at mid-market and enterprise customers. It overlaps heavily with Torch's Spark AI + coaching + org intelligence proposition.
- CoachHub: CoachHub is a global digital coaching platform offering 1:1 and group coaching powered by its own AI-driven matching and analytics tools, targeting enterprise L&D buyers across geographies. Comparable to Torch in business model, buyer, and AI-augmented coaching approach.
- Sounding Board: Sounding Board is an enterprise coaching platform offering 1:1 leadership coaching with data and analytics to HR/L&D buyers. Directly comparable to Torch in business model, target buyer, and coaching-centric delivery model.
Emerging players
- Lattice: Lattice is a people management platform with performance, engagement, and (newer) talent development offerings, and is itself a Torch customer. It represents an HR-suite incumbent that could either partner with or compete against Torch as it expands its development capabilities.
- Culture Amp: Culture Amp is an employee experience platform with performance, engagement, and development modules serving HR buyers. Comparable to Torch as a people development competitor and a buyer of similar HR/L&D data, though anchored in engagement rather than coaching.
Broad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with leadership development, executive coaching, and talent management practices serving enterprise clients. It is a comparable incumbent in the executive coaching and leadership advisory space, but operates as a much broader consultancy.
- FranklinCovey: FranklinCovey is an established leadership and execution training provider offering enterprise leadership development programs, coaching, and content. Comparable to Torch in targeting enterprise L&D buyers around leadership capabilities, though delivered via more traditional training content rather than AI coaching.
- DDI (Development Dimensions International): DDI is a long-standing leadership development firm offering assessment, training, and coaching services to enterprise HR buyers. Comparable to Torch's enterprise leadership development and 360 feedback offering, but as an established incumbent with deeper assessment IP.
- Degreed: Degreed is an enterprise learning and skill development platform serving HR/L&D teams, increasingly embedding AI-powered learning and coaching capabilities. Comparable to Torch as an enterprise L&D buyer target and adjacent in skill/leadership development, though broader in scope.
Others
- Praxis Labs: Praxis Labs is an AI-driven learning platform focused on inclusion, bias, and leadership skills, which Torch acquired in July 2025. Included as a peer because it was an independent comparable prior to the acquisition, operating in the adjacent AI-powered leadership learning category.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Torch social profiles
Digital presenceTorch compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Torch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Torch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Torch subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Torch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Torch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Torch
What does Torch do?
Torch sells an integrated leadership development platform that combines expert human coaching (many coaches are doctoral-qualified psychologists and therapists) with its Spark AI agent and Org Intelligence analytics to deliver 1:1, group, cohort-based, and AI-powered coaching programs to mid-market and enterprise organizations. Programs are anchored in Torch's contextual coaching methodology and built-in 360-degree feedback instrument, and are designed to connect individual leadership growth directly to the client's strategic priorities and organizational transformation outcomes.
Is Torch a public or private company?
Torch is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently acquired.
When was Torch founded?
Torch was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Torch based?
Torch is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Torch make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Leadership Coaching Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are AI-Powered Practice (Spark).
Who are Torch's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BetterUp, CoachHub and Sounding Board. Emerging players are Lattice and Culture Amp. Broad incumbents are Korn Ferry, FranklinCovey, DDI (Development Dimensions International) and Degreed. Praxis Labs is listed as an others.
Does Torch have an API?
No public API is recorded for Torch.
What industry is Torch in?
Torch's product category is Leadership Development Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAA, Corporate & Leadership Development, with a secondary code of EDABAAAG, Coaching Leadership & Mentoring Skills. Its NAICS code is 61143 and its SIC code is 8742.