Smowltech
Smowltech is a Spanish EdTech company that sells SMOWL, a cloud-based AI-powered online exam proctoring platform used by 350+ universities, business schools, and corporate training organizations across Europe, Latin America, and other regions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Sebastian, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Smowltech does
Smowltech (legal entity SMILEY OWL TECH SL) is a Spanish EdTech company founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Sebastián, Spain. It develops and sells SMOWL, a cloud-based online exam proctoring platform used by universities, business schools, certification bodies, and corporate training departments to supervise remote digital examinations. The platform combines AI-powered biometric user authentication, computer and browser monitoring, environment camera scanning, and optional real-time human supervision to detect cheating behaviors including the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot. SMOWL uses image-based rather than continuous-video capture to lower bandwidth and processing costs while generating auditable evidence reports for instructors.
The product is sold as a modular, tiered suite (SMOWL CLASS for in-classroom digital exams, SMOWL PLUS with 360° environment control, SMOWL PRO with live proctoring, and SMOWL ENTERPRISE for full customization), plus SMOWL CM, a computer-monitoring add-on that feeds evidence back into client learning management systems. The company operates a sales-led, enterprise-direct go-to-market with demo-led conversion (25 free trial licenses, quotes within 48 hours), custom pricing, and multi-year subscription contracts under activity-based or user-based licensing models. Distribution is augmented through certified integrations with Moodle, Blackboard, and Canvas LMSs via LTI, xAPI, and SCORM standards, and through partnerships with ReadSpeaker (TTS accessibility) and AWS Partner Network.
Smowltech reports over 350 institutional customers across Europe (with Spanish higher education as its densest cluster), Latin America, the US, South Africa, Kenya, and India. The company holds ISO 27001, ENS (Spanish National Security Framework), GDPR, FERPA, and CCPA certifications, and is backed by impact investors Sparkmind and Bolsa Social Fund plus Telefónica's Wayra following a €1.65M seed round in May 2022. It has not disclosed revenue and remains privately held with 11-50 employees.
Smowltech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smowltech
- Legal name
- Smowltech (SMILEY OWL TECH SL)
- Website
- https://smowl.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Smowltech is a Spanish EdTech company that sells SMOWL, a cloud-based AI-powered online exam proctoring platform used by 350+ universities, business schools, and corporate training organizations across Europe, Latin America, and other regions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smowltech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Proctoring Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Secure Browser, Device Lockdown & Exam Security Tools (EDAFADAI)
Keywords
Where Smowltech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Sebastian
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smowltech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Proctoring Software Licensing: Subscription-based licensing model with two primary license types: (1) Activity-based license - each user completes a single monitored activity, ideal for admission exams and certifications; (2) User-based license - unlimited activities per user during contracted period, designed for ongoing courses and degree programs. Pricing varies based on number of students, exam frequency, supervision type (automated or human), and technical integration requirements.
- Enterprise Custom Solutions: Custom pricing for enterprise clients including scalable solutions from pilot tests to large-scale exams. Includes technical support, training, and compliance services bundled with the proctoring solution.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Activity-Based License - Per-exam licensing for single activities |
| Subscription | Annual | User-Based License - Unlimited activities per user during contract period |
| Hybrid | Multi-year contract | SMOWL Enterprise - Full-featured enterprise solution with human supervision |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Trial - 25 complimentary licenses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Smowltech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smowltech develops and sells SMOWL, a cloud-based online proctoring platform that uses AI and biometric authentication to verify user identity and supervise digital exams remotely. The platform combines image-based detection, browser locking, webcam monitoring, and environment scanning to detect cheating and unauthorized AI tools, producing detailed evidence reports for educational institutions and corporations.
Product overview
Smowltech offers SMOWL, a modular online proctoring platform designed for educational institutions and corporate organizations. The core SMOWL platform provides AI-powered remote exam supervision with biometric authentication, webcam monitoring, and behavior detection. The product suite is structured across four tiered plans: SMOWL CLASS (for in-classroom digital exams), SMOWL PLUS (intermediate tier with 360-degree environment control), SMOWL PRO (advanced tier with real-time human supervision and API customization), and SMOWL ENTERPRISE (enterprise-scale deployment with full customization and support). An additional module, SMOWL CM (Computer Monitoring), provides standalone activity monitoring that feeds evidence back to the client's LMS.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SMOWL CLASS: Proctoring solution for in-classroom digital exams
- SMOWL PLUS
- SMOWL PRO
- SMOWL ENTERPRISE
- SMOWL CM
Products and services
- SMOWL (Core Proctoring Platform) SMOWL is Smowltech's core online proctoring software that enables remote supervision of digital exams. It uses AI and biometric authentication to verify user identity, monitors exam environments via webcam and screen capture, detects suspicious behavior, and generates detailed reports with objective evidence for evaluation decision-making. It targets educational institutions and corporations requiring online exam integrity.
- SMOWL CM (Computer Monitoring) SMOWL CM is an online activity monitoring tool that collects evidence from the user's computer once they start an activity on Smowltech's platform, sending the information to the client's educational platform (LMS) where administrators or instructors review the evidence and detected incidents.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost savings of up to 75% on exam administration compared to physical examination centers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Smowltech
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Smowltech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability6 records
Feature6 records
Smowltech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ReadSpeakercoreReadSpeaker's TTS (Text-to-Speech) solutions and learning tools are integrated with Smowltech's proctoring software to enhance accessibility in online education. These solutions support diverse learning needs including students with disabilities and language barriers, adopted by educational institutions globally.
- MoodlecoreCertified integration partnership for Smowl's proctoring plugin within the Moodle learning management system, enabling seamless exam supervision for Moodle users.
- BlackboardcoreCertified integration for Smowl's proctoring solution with Blackboard's LMS platform, allowing institutions to conduct supervised online exams.
- Canvas (Instructure)coreCertified integration partnership enabling Canvas LMS users to deploy Smowl's proctoring tools directly within their exam environment.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Smowltech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Honorlock: AI-powered online proctoring service built on Chrome extension with live human proctoring, browser lockdown, and LMS integration. Closest competitor on technical architecture and target market.
- Examity: Online proctoring provider combining AI and live human proctors, targeting universities and certification programs. Direct competitor in the enterprise higher-ed segment.
- Kryterion: Online proctoring and certification delivery platform with both automated and live proctoring options. Directly comparable in serving certification bodies and enterprise testing programs.
- ExamSoft: Secure assessment platform with integrated proctoring, focused on high-stakes certification and bar exams. Comparable in serving regulated, high-integrity testing use cases.
- Respondus: Assessment lockdown and proctoring software with deep Canvas/Blackboard/Moodle integrations. Direct competitor on the browser-lockdown plus monitoring axis of Smowltech's product.
- Proctorio: Browser-based remote proctoring solution with automated flagging and LMS integrations (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle). Comparable product architecture and direct overlap in higher education segment.
- ProctorU (Pearson): Pearson-owned online proctoring platform serving higher education and certification bodies. Most direct large-scale competitor with overlapping LMS integration strategy and similar AI-based monitoring features.
Emerging players
- Questionmark: Enterprise assessment platform with secure browser and proctoring capabilities. Comparable in serving regulated industries and certification use cases.
- ProctorFree: Automated online proctoring using browser-based AI analysis. Niche player with similar product positioning at the lower-cost automated-proctoring end of the market.
- Mercer | Mettl: Online assessment and proctoring platform focused on corporate L&D, recruitment, and psychometric testing — directly overlapping with Smowltech's emerging enterprise segment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smowltech social profiles
Digital presenceSmowltech compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Smowltech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smowltech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Smowltech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smowltech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smowltech
What does Smowltech do?
Smowltech develops and sells SMOWL, a cloud-based online proctoring platform that uses AI and biometric authentication to verify user identity and supervise digital exams remotely. The platform combines image-based detection, browser locking, webcam monitoring, and environment scanning to detect cheating and unauthorized AI tools, producing detailed evidence reports for educational institutions and corporations.
Is Smowltech a public or private company?
Smowltech is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Smowltech founded?
Smowltech was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Smowltech based?
Smowltech is headquartered in San Sebastian, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Smowltech make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Proctoring Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are enterprise Custom Solutions.
Who are Smowltech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Honorlock, Examity, Kryterion, ExamSoft, Respondus, Proctorio and ProctorU (Pearson). Emerging players are Questionmark, ProctorFree and Mercer | Mettl.
Does Smowltech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smowltech.
What industry is Smowltech in?
Smowltech's product category is Online Proctoring Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFADAI, Secure Browser, Device Lockdown & Exam Security Tools.