What Learning Economy Foundation does

Learning Economy Foundation (LEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that builds open, web3-aligned infrastructure to connect the fragmented global education ecosystem. Its core product is LearnCard, an open-source software development kit (MIT licensed) and free cross-platform application (web, iOS, Android) that enables learners to issue, earn, store, share, and map verifiable credentials using W3C-aligned decentralized identifiers (DIDs), verifiable credentials (VCs), and digital wallets. The LearnCard SDK is co-developed with MIT's Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC) and Transmute, including co-authorship of the W3C Universal Wallet interoperability specification.

LEF's portfolio of products built on LearnCard includes LearnCloud (an API-driven platform connecting 250+ data sources for learning and employment records), SuperSkills! (a LEGO Foundation-partnered learning game ecosystem for children aged 5–12), ScoutPass (World Scouting's official digital wallet with 250,000+ badges issued), Metaversity (pathways application for K-12 to employment), and the Skyway initiative (a global learning pathways framework launched at UNGA 2024). The organization operates a network of state and regional labs — C-Lab in Colorado, Broward Open CLR Lab in Florida, and the Asia-Pacific Regional Lab — and co-founded the Web3 Education Alliance (W3EA) with the World Bank, which has grown to nearly 500 member organizations.

LEF monetizes primarily through philanthropic grants (LEGO Foundation, DEVxDAO), paid deployment and integration services from Learning Economy Studios, and white-label app licensing for large institutional partners (World Scouting, LEGO Foundation). Distribution is multi-channel: open-source self-service via GitHub and app stores, professional services and white-label licensing for institutional deployments, and ecosystem-driven adoption through the W3EA alliance and state/regional labs. Strategic positioning targets governments, public education systems, NGOs, employers, learners, and underserved populations including refugees, with notable partnerships spanning the World Bank, UNESCO, World Economic Forum, Brookings Institution, IBM Digital Credentials Network, and Open Skills Network.

Name

Learning Economy Foundation

Legal name

Learning Economy Foundation

Website

https://learningeconomy.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Learning Economy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds open-source, W3C-aligned digital credentialing infrastructure (LearnCard SDK and LearnCloud platform) for governments, NGOs, employers, and learners to issue, verify, and share portable education and employment records globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Credentials & Verifiable Learning Records

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Transcript, Score Reporting & Verification/Credential Wallet Platforms (EDAFADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Corporate/L&D Course Licensing from Creators (B2B Upskilling) (MPACALAH)

Keywords

• Verifiable credentials platform
• Digital wallet infrastructure
• Education technology nonprofit
• Learning employment records
• Web3 identity standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants and Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Learning Economy Foundation relies on grants and donations from foundations (e.g., LEGO Foundation), governments, and development institutions. These fund open-source public goods development, research, and pilot deployments.
2. Professional Services and Deployment Support: Learning Economy Studios provides paid design, preparation, integration, and security support for organizations deploying LearnCard. Dedicated support costs scale with project size, keeping budgets affordable for institutions.
3. End-to-End Development Services: Full-service dev shop offering end-to-end deployment of LearnCard SDK inside client apps or systems, custom mobile app development on top of LearnCard, and project milestone management from planning through integration and security.
4. White-Label App Licensing: Organizations can white-label LearnCard-based apps including wallets (LearnCard App), kids apps (SuperSkills), and traditional education apps (Metaversity), with customization and branding support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Learning Economy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops open-source, W3C-compliant credentialing infrastructure. Its flagship LearnCard is an MIT-licensed SDK and free digital wallet app (Web, iOS, Android) that lets learners Issue, Earn, Store, Share, and Map verifiable credentials, skills, and Learning and Employment Records. It is complemented by LearnCloud, an API-driven platform that connects 250+ data sources for interoperability across education and employment ecosystems.

Product overview

Learning Economy Foundation operates a platform-plus-ecosystem architecture centered on LearnCard, an open-source digital wallet and SDK that enables credential issuance, storage, and sharing across web, iOS, and Android. The core offering is complemented by LearnCloud, an API-driven platform for scaling interoperability. Key applications built on the LearnCard SDK include ScoutPass (World Scouting's digital wallet), SuperSkills! (LEGO Foundation partnership gamified learning for children), and Metaversity (pathways application for K-12 to employment). The Skyway initiative, launched at UNGA 2024, provides a global framework for learner mobility. Regional labs in Colorado and Broward County test and implement these technologies. The ecosystem also includes the Internet of Education App for community collaboration and conceptual products like LearnBank combining financial services with credentialing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LearnCard: Open source digital wallet SDK and lifelong learning passport that enables learners to collect, own, and share their skills and experiences. Available as free app for Web, iOS, and Android.
• SuperSkills!
• ScoutPass
• Metaversity
• LearnCloud
• The Skyway
• C-Lab
• LearnBank
• Web3 Education Alliance (W3EA)

Products and services

• LearnCard Open-source MIT-licensed SDK and free Web/iOS/Android app that enables learners and institutions to Issue, Earn, Store, Share, and Spend verifiable credentials, IDs, social badges, skills, achievements, and work/learning history. Functions as a lifelong learning passport.
• LearnCloud Open, API-driven platform that seamlessly integrates learning providers, tech systems, credentials, and AI-driven ecosystems. Enables deployment of Learning and Employment Records (LERs), digital wallets, data clouds, analytics dashboards, and integrations with 250+ data sources.
• SuperSkills! Digital badging and learning game ecosystem for children aged 5-12, built with the LEGO Foundation. Children earn verifiable skills through gamified quests, with a digital wallet storing credentials, achievements, and badges.
• ScoutPass World Scouting's official digital wallet built on the LearnCard SDK, enabling Scouts to earn and share credentials including badges, skills, accomplishments, and Scouting journey details. Over 250,000 badges issued.
• Metaversity Lightweight wallet and pathways application for K-12 through higher education and employment. Enables training providers, schools, colleges, universities, and employers to issue credentials (VCs, LERs, CLRs, Badges) and map learning pathways.
• The Skyway Global learning initiative launched at UNGA 2024 connecting diverse pathways for learners of all ages, powered by portable learning passports and essential skills. Designed to expand into U.S. State Ecosystems.
• Internet of Education (IoE) App Community platform providing a full range of community tools for co-labs and networks. Enables collaboration within group and community networks to localize co-labs and the Internet of Education in a safe and trusted online environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• ScoutPass issued over 250,000 badges within the World Scouting ecosystem, demonstrating large-scale credential portability
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• World BankflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Learning Economy Foundation and World Bank co-founded the Web3 Education Alliance (W3EA), a venture focusing on the application of web3 technologies in education. The alliance quickly grew to include nearly 500 world-class members comprising governments, NGOs, private companies, and organizations. W3EA facilitates knowledge sharing and joint development of web3-enabled educational tools, with emphasis on workshops and research initiatives to enhance learner mobility, data sovereignty, and equitable access to education globally.
• LEGO FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEGO Foundation partnered with Learning Economy Foundation to develop SuperSkills!, a gamified learning game ecosystem and digital wallet for children aged 5–12. SuperSkills showcases W3C's Universal Wallet through playful experiences where children earn verifiable credentials and skills. The partnership was forged to champion decentralized identifiers (DIDs), verifiable credentials (VCs), and digital wallets as learning primitives. A closed beta was released in November 2021.
• MIT Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC)coreTechnology or IntegrationMIT DCC is co-owner with Learning Economy Foundation and Transmute of the W3C Universal Wallet interoperability specification. The organizations collaborate on standards development for verifiable credentials and digital wallets. Learning Economy Foundation also built an Admin Dashboard with MIT/DCC for VC dashboard capabilities.
• World Scouting OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Scouting partnered with Learning Economy Foundation to launch ScoutPass, World Scouting's official digital wallet built on the LearnCard SDK. ScoutPass allows Scouts to earn and share credentials like badges, skills, and accomplishments. Over 250,000 badges have been issued through ScoutPass, and over 70,000 badges were issued in the first week after launch.
• Brookings InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Economy Foundation co-hosted events alongside the UNGA Transforming Education Summit with Brookings Institution in September 2022 in New York City. The organizations collaborated on research investigating technology advancements and educational access, including a joint policy brief on Learner Mobility and a recap published by Brookings. LEF also conducted research with Brookings on digital innovations in education.
• XPRIZEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Economy Foundation serves on the Brain Trust for XPRIZE, contributing expertise in skills mapping and credentialing to the broader XPRIZE ecosystem focused on society-level challenges. Collaboration includes participation in XPRIZE BrainTrust working groups.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Economy Foundation joined the UNESCO Global Education Coalition and participated in the Global Convention on Higher Education. The organization contributed to UNESCO policy briefs on learner mobility and collaborates on initiatives to promote education access and equity globally. LEF is referenced in UNESCO materials and attended UNESCO forums.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearning Economy Foundation contributed to WEF's 'Reimagining Digital ID' Insight Report (2023), providing expertise on digital identity and credentialing. The organization participates in WEF forums and the Davos IoE Delegation, leveraging WEF's global platform to advance the Internet of Education mission.
• Open Skills NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning Economy Foundation is an active partner in the Open Skills Network, contributing to skills standardization efforts including Rich Skill Descriptors (RSDs) and Open Competency Frameworks. LEF participated in 14 Open Skills Network pilots in 2021. The Skills Bridge component of LearnCard builds directly on the Open Skills Network's work.
• Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDHE partnered with Learning Economy to launch the Colorado Education Work Lab (C-Lab) in 2020, a collaborative initiative to position Colorado as a national leader in 21st-century education and work infrastructure. C-Lab addresses Governor Jared Polis's priority to ensure all Coloradans have access to quality lifelong education connected to the future of work. The lab aims to launch a statewide Colorado Learning Ledger and Skills Graph.
• Broward County Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroward County Public Schools (6th largest school district in the US) partnered with Learning Economy Foundation for the Broward Open CLR Lab. The lab explores self-sovereign identity, access control trust networks, open ontology references, and verifiable assertions for personalized, competency-based learning and career pathways.
• Sesame WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSesame Workshop's former Chief Research & Education Officer, Dr. Alison Bryant, joined Learning Economy Foundation as Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, Sesame.org integration is listed in the 2025 roadmap, indicating planned partnership for educational content delivery through LearnCard.
• DCC (Digital Credentials Consortium)coreTechnology or IntegrationDigital Credentials Consortium (MIT-led) collaborated with Learning Economy Foundation on credential handler API (CHAPI) and verifiable credential API standards. LEF built an Admin Dashboard with MIT's DCC for credential management, and participates in the VC-EDU Taskforce.
• TransmutecoreTechnology or IntegrationTransmute is co-owner with Learning Economy Foundation and MIT DCC of the W3C Universal Wallet interoperability specification. The collaboration drives open standards for digital credentials and wallets across the ecosystem.
• Ceramic NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning Economy Foundation is part of the Ceramic Network's Early Access Program and runs its own node. Ceramic Network provides decentralized storage for verifiable credentials using IPFS and IPLD, enabling mutable data on immutable stream identifiers without relying on custodians or end-device storage.
• MyGrantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMyGrants helps over 300,000 immigrants worldwide earn money while learning high-demand skills and matches them with employers. 86% of placed refugees remain in their positions six months after placement. The partnership enables rapid deployment of education to refugees in need through the LearnCard earn-to-learn model.
• ToruscoreTechnology or IntegrationTorus SDK provides authentication and key management using decentralized non-custodial PKI. Integrated into LearnCard to enable real-time computation of key material for DID documents, allowing users to sign in using standard web2 auth patterns without managing permanent storage of cryptographic keys.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Transmute: Transmute is co-owner with LEF and MIT DCC of the W3C Universal Wallet interoperability specification and is a direct peer in decentralized verifiable credential infrastructure for enterprises and governments.
• Digital Credentials Consortium (MIT): MIT's DCC is the third co-owner of the W3C Universal Wallet spec and a direct peer developing open-source tools and standards for verifiable credentials in higher education.
• Badgr (Instructure): Badgr, part of Instructure's Canvas ecosystem, is a direct peer in open digital badging and credentialing, integrated into one of the largest LMS platforms used by schools and universities.

Broad incumbents

• Credly (Pearson): Credly, owned by Pearson, is a leading digital credentialing platform used by enterprises, training providers, and associations to issue and verify badges, competing with LearnCard in workforce credentialing.
• Parchment (Hyland): Parchment, a Hyland company, is an incumbent in electronic transcript and credential exchange for higher education, overlapping with LEF's Learning and Employment Records (LERs) infrastructure.
• IBM Digital Credentials: IBM's Digital Credentials Network uses blockchain-based identity and is a broad incumbent in enterprise verifiable credentials, listed as part of the W3EA ecosystem that LEF co-founded with the World Bank.
• Microsoft Entra Verified ID: Microsoft Entra Verified ID is an enterprise-scale decentralized identity product competing directly with LearnCard for institutional and workforce credentialing deployments.

Emerging players

• Credential Engine: Credential Engine is a nonprofit focused on credential transparency and metadata infrastructure, integrated with LearnCard via plugin and aligned on open credential data standards.
• Yoti: Yoti provides digital identity wallets and verifiable credentials with a focus on consumer privacy and inclusion, overlapping with LearnCard's decentralized identity approach for education and workforce use cases.

Others

• 1EdTech Consortium (Open Badges): 1EdTech develops the Open Badges specification, which LEF's LearnCard integrates; 1EdTech is an enabling standards body in the digital credential ecosystem where LEF operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/learningeconomy
• Xx.com/learnonomy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Learning Economy Foundation