What Simplon.co does

Simplon.co (SAS SIMPLON.CO) is a French private tech education company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Montreuil, operating a network of 35+ training campuses across mainland France and overseas territories, plus a nationwide distance-learning operation. The company delivers professional digital skills training across four sectors — Development, Networks & Cybersecurity, Data/AI, and Digital Skills — spanning short discovery programs (6 weeks) to advanced certifications (Bac+2 to Bac+5), including RNCP-recognized titles (RNCP 40167 for Data/AI engineering and RNCP 37827 for AI development). Programs are largely financed by French public training mechanisms (OPCO, France Travail, regional councils) and run free of charge to eligible learners, with hourly pricing of €12-€27. The company distinguishes itself through inclusive admissions without diploma prerequisites, project-based pedagogy, and a proprietary Simplonline LMS that supports both remote and in-person delivery.

Simplon operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer self-serve enrollment through its website with enterprise B2B contracts for custom cohorts, trainer-of-trainers programs, and certifications. Employer partners including Accenture, Schneider Electric, Société Générale, Orange, and Hardis Group actively recruit Simplon graduates and co-fund programs such as AI Jump. The company holds Qualiopi certification and is the first European OpenAI Academy partner, while running the co-branded 'École IA Microsoft by Simplon' with Microsoft Azure AI credentials. The group encompasses wholly owned subsidiaries Wild Code School (coding bootcamps in apprenticeship format), Simplon Asso (non-profit training arm), and the École IA Microsoft by Simplon brand.

Cumulatively, Simplon has trained more than 56,772 people, reporting a 70% positive outcome rate (employment or further study) and a 94% certification pass rate, with 36% of trainees in tech programs identifying as women. Across three disclosed equity rounds the company has raised approximately €19M (most recently €13.5M in April 2019 led by Caisse des Dépôts with Amundi and Inco). In 2024, DGCCRF imposed a €75,000 administrative fine for an unauthorized Binance sponsorship during blockchain training, which the company is appealing.

Name

Simplon.co

Legal name

SAS SIMPLON.CO

Website

https://simplon.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Simplon.co is a French tech education company operating 35+ campuses that delivers government-funded and enterprise digital skills training across development, cybersecurity, data, and AI, from beginner discovery through Bac+5 certifications, partnering with OpenAI, Microsoft, and major employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Tech Education & Training

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate & Workforce eLearning Modules (EDAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) (BPADAKAD), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Tech vocational training
• Digital skills training
• Professional apprenticeship programs
• Data and AI education
• Cybersecurity training

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreuil

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices32 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government-funded professional training financing: Under French professional training legislation, most Simplon programs are fully financed through public funding mechanisms (OPCO, France Travail, regional councils), with no cost to eligible learners.
2. Enterprise training contracts: B2B offerings where companies pay Simplon to train their employees in development, data, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Includes custom cohorts, trainer-of-trainers, and certification services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Simplon.co is a French tech education company that designs and delivers vocational training programs in software development, networks and cybersecurity, data/AI, and digital skills, ranging from 2-week discovery courses to Bac+5 professional certifications (RNCP-recognized). Programs are delivered in-person at 35+ campuses across France and via the Simplonline proprietary LMS for distance learning, with most individual programs fully funded through French public training mechanisms and a parallel B2B offering providing custom corporate cohorts, apprenticeships, and certifications.

Product overview

Simplon.co is a French tech education company offering a comprehensive portfolio of training programs across four main disciplines: Development, Networks & Cybersecurity, Data/AI, and Digital Skills. The core offerings include professional certification programs (Bac+2 to Bac+5) such as Data Analyst, Data Engineer, and AI Developer (Ecole IA Microsoft by Simplon), as well as introductory programs like Summer School IA and guided AI learning paths. Programs are delivered in-person at campuses across France, remotely, or through apprenticeship contracts. The company also provides corporate training solutions and maintains partnerships with technology companies including Microsoft, IBM, Apple, and OpenAI for certification and content delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wild Code School: Coding bootcamp school operating as part of the Simplon Group, offering tech education programs including Data Engineer and AI development courses in alternating training format.
• Simplon Asso
• Ecole IA Microsoft by Simplon

Products and services

• Data Analyst Training Professional certification program (Bac +3) preparing learners for Data Analyst roles; covers data collection, analysis, statistical exploration, Business Intelligence tools, SQL/Python programming, and Data Storytelling for strategic decision-making.
• Data Engineer Training Advanced 10.5-month professional training (Bac +5) preparing experts in massive data engineering and AI, covering Python, Java, Scala, Hadoop, Spark, SQL, cloud computing, data lakes, data warehouses, and machine learning integration.
• Développeur IA (AI Developer) Training 19-month professional training (Bac +3) via École IA Microsoft by Simplon, teaching development of AI-powered applications including chatbots, recommendation engines, document classification, and prediction systems using machine learning and generative AI.
• Parcours Guidé IA: de la Data à l'IA générative 10-week e-learning program with weekly tutoring covering AI fundamentals, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, LLMs, prompt engineering, and practical AI applications in professional contexts, developed with IBM.
• Summer School IA Free 2-week introductory AI program sending daily practical lessons via email to discover generative AI fundamentals, essential tools, and prompt writing skills.
• Formation IA: du Machine Learning aux LLMs E-learning AI training covering Machine Learning fundamentals, neural networks, Deep Learning, and Large Language Models with tutoring support.
• Découverte Métier IA 6-week discovery program introducing AI careers through CMS-based web development skills before progressing to specialized AI training tracks.
• Alternance / Apprenticeship Programs Apprenticeship and professionalization contract programs (contrat d'apprentissage and contrat de professionnalisation) combining campus training with company work experience across all tech disciplines including Data, Development, and Cybersecurity.
• Corporate / Enterprise Training B2B training solutions for companies including tech upskilling workshops, professional transitions, trainer-of-trainers programs (Formation de formateurs), certifications, and partner programs for Development, Networks & Cybersecurity, Data & AI, and Digital Skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of graduates achieve positive outcomes (employment or further education)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OpenAIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2024Simplon is the first European OpenAI Academy partner. The partnership enables Simplon to deliver OpenAI-certified AI training programs, integrating generative AI curricula into its Data/IA track. Simplon also participates in OpenAI's broader ecosystem of French AI partnerships alongside Sanofi, Mirakl, ESCP Business School, and Ask Mona.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationSimplon hosts the 'École IA Microsoft by Simplon' — a dedicated AI development program delivering Microsoft-certified curricula and Azure AI certifications. The partnership provides students with access to Microsoft Azure AI tools, certifications (AI-102, AI-900, AZ-900), and career pathways into Microsoft-aligned technology roles.
• AccenturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccenture is a co-funder and strategic partner of the AI Jump program (Simplon Foundation initiative), which provides free AI discovery and training pathways for inclusive professional integration. The program targets people facing employment barriers, combining AI skills with job placement support.
• Société Générale Fondation d'EntreprisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSociété Générale's corporate foundation co-funds the AI Jump program alongside Accenture and Simplon Foundation, supporting AI training for social and professional inclusion.
• Salesforce FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalesforce Foundation is a partner in the AI Jump initiative, contributing to inclusive AI training programs coordinated by Simplon Foundation.
• Wild Code SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild Code School is an entity within the Simplon group. It offers certain Simplon programs (Data Engineer, Développeur IA, Administrateur d'Infrastructures Sécurisées, Concepteur Développeur Applications Éco-conception) in an apprenticeship format, leveraging Simplon's pedagogical expertise.
• OrangeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrange is an employer partner of Simplon, hiring apprentices trained through Simplon programs and supporting apprenticeship recruitment.
• Société GénéraleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSociété Générale is an employer partner of Simplon, recruiting graduates from Simplon training programs through apprenticeship and professional contracts.
• Accenture FranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccenture France is an employer partner of Simplon, recruiting apprentices and graduates from Simplon programs.
• Schneider ElectricminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchneider Electric partners with Simplon for apprenticeship programs and talent recruitment.
• France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSimplon programs are financed through France Travail funding mechanisms, enabling job seekers to access fully funded training. Simplon also runs POEC (Préparation Opérationnelle à l'Emploi Collective) programs in partnership with France Travail.
• Région Auvergne-Rhône-AlpescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRégion Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes co-finances Simplon training programs, with certain courses fully funded by the region and the European Union.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OpenClassrooms: France-based online education platform offering diploma-recognized tech and digital training programs with a similar B2C + B2B model and government funding integration. Most direct domestic competitor in online tech vocational training.
• Le Wagon: French-founded coding bootcamp with a global campus network (40+ cities) covering web development, data science, and AI. Directly comparable product offering and pedagogy, with a much stronger international footprint.
• Wild Code School: French coding bootcamp now operating as a Simplon subsidiary, offering apprenticeship-format web development, data, and AI programs. Comparable curriculum and target audience; effectively part of the same group.
• Ecole 42: Free, peer-driven French computer science school founded by Xavier Niel, offering project-based software engineering training. Highly comparable target learner and project-based pedagogy, with a strong national brand.
• DataScientest: French data science and AI training provider with similar government-funded bootcamps, enterprise upskilling, and apprenticeship tracks. Closest direct peer in the Data/IA domain.
• Jedha: French data, AI, and cybersecurity bootcamp offering full-time and part-time programs with government financing. Directly competes in the same French-funded data/cybersecurity upskilling market.
• Ironhack: Global coding and data bootcamp with European campuses; offers web development, data analytics, and UX/UI bootcamps. Comparable product mix and target learner profile.
• General Assembly: Global tech training provider (now part of Adecco) offering bootcamps and corporate training in software engineering, data, and digital skills. Comparable B2B/B2C training model with similar curriculum verticals.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online learning platform with degree programs, professional certificates, and enterprise learning products. Competes with Simplon on enterprise upskilling and online tech content at much greater scale.
• AFPA: Historic French national vocational training organization delivering government-funded adult reskilling programs, including in digital and technical trades. Most comparable legacy incumbent for the public-funded training channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/simplonco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simplon-co

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simplon.co