AZEK

What AZEK does

AZEK is a private Swiss training and certification institution for investment professionals, founded in 1990 as the education arm of the Swiss Financial Analysts Association (SFAA). Headquartered in Bülach with training centers in Zurich and Geneva, AZEK delivers federally recognized diplomas and specialized certificates covering portfolio management, wealth management, financial markets operations, ESG, alternative investments, real estate finance, and emerging topics such as generative AI applied to finance. The institution has trained approximately 7,500 finance professionals and awarded over 5,000 diplomas since inception, with the parent SFAA association supporting a membership base of roughly 3,000 financial professionals.

The product catalog spans core diplomas (CIIA, CIWM, AWM, FMO, FMT) and specialized certificates (Private Markets Certificate, AZEK gen AI Certificate, CEREF, CESGA, DiAM, CFDS, ECRA). The business model is tuition-driven, with course and examination fees ranging from approximately CHF 1,700 (gen AI Certificate) to CHF 11,400 (CEREF); Swiss federal diploma costs are partially reimbursable (up to 50% by the Swiss Confederation), supporting individual enrollment economics. Distribution is augmented by a partnership network including SFAA (parent), AMAS, AIWM, ACIIA, Moody's Analytics (North America channel), PRMIA, UK NARIC, SAQ, iazi, and CISI, which together provide geographic reach and credential interoperability across Swiss, UK, EU, and North American markets.

Name

AZEK

Legal name

AZEK AG

Website

https://azek.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AZEK is a Swiss training institution founded in 1990 that delivers federally recognized diplomas and specialized certificates for investment professionals, serving roughly 3,000 SFAA members and having trained over 7,500 finance professionals across Zurich, Geneva, and partner markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Financial Education and Certification

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDABAJAI

Investments & Capital Markets (Trading, Portfolio, Derivatives)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Finance, Accounting & Risk Training

SECONDARYEDAAAPAG

Finance, Banking & Capital Markets

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Industry-Specific Training (Healthcare, Tech, etc.)

SECONDARYEDANAIAD

Accounting & Finance Certification Prep (CPA, CMA, CFA, FRM)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

SECONDARYEDABAFAD

Data, Analytics & Business Intelligence (SQL, BI Tools, Reporting)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Technical & IT Skills Training

Keywords

• Professional financial education
• Investment training programs
• Wealth management certification
• Financial analysis courses
• ESG certification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bülach

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course and Certification Fees: AZEK generates revenue through course fees for its diploma programs, certificates, and continuing education courses. Pricing varies by program length and type, with federal diploma courses eligible for 50% reimbursement by the Swiss Confederation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AZEK is the Swiss training centre for investment professionals, providing federal and internationally recognized diploma programs and professional certificates in financial analysis, wealth management, investment management, financial market operations, and emerging areas such as generative AI, ESG, real estate finance, digital assets, climate risk, and data science. Programs are delivered in in-person, hybrid, and online formats in German, French, and English, with federal diploma courses eligible for 50% cost reimbursement by the Swiss Confederation.

Product overview

AZEK is a Swiss training center for investment professionals offering a portfolio of federal and international diplomas and professional certificates in financial services. The core diploma programs include Financial Analyst and Portfolio Manager CIIA (for experienced investment professionals), Expert in Finance and Investment CIWM (for private banking advisors), Associate Wealth Manager AWM, Expert in Financial Market Operations FMO, and Technician in Financial Market Operations FMT. These are complemented by specialized certificates covering emerging areas: AZEK gen AI Certificate (generative AI in finance), Certificate in Real Estate Finance CEREF (real estate valuation and financing), CESGA (ESG analysis), Digital Assets and MiCA DiAM (cryptocurrency and blockchain), CFDS (financial data science), ECRA (climate risk analysis), and AZEK Private Markets Certificate (private markets investments). Programs are delivered in flexible formats including in-person, hybrid, and online options in German, French, and English.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Analyst and Portfolio Manager CIIA Federal diploma program aimed at experienced investment professionals in financial analysis and portfolio management; internationally recognized through ACIIA.
• Expert in Finance and Investment CIWM Diploma program aimed at experienced client advisors in private banking and wealth management; recognized by UK NARIC as comparable to British Bachelor degree standard.
• Associate Wealth Manager AWM Core knowledge program intended for all client advisors in private banking and wealth management; awarded by AIWM.
• Expert in Financial Market Operations FMO Study program qualifying students for executive positions in financial market operations.
• Technician in Financial Market Operations FMT Core knowledge program covering basic knowledge of the role and organization of financial market institutions.
• AZEK Private Markets Certificate 6-day practical certificate course developed in cooperation with AMAS covering investment strategies, regulation, and all key areas of Private Markets.
• AZEK gen AI Certificate Training program teaching how to apply generative AI tools and applications effectively in daily financial work. Covers large language models (LLMs), ChatGPT, and other AI technologies for analysis, reporting, compliance, and customer interaction.
• Certificate in Real Estate Finance (CEREF) Certificate covering topics relevant to real estate and finance specialists in corporate and private client business. Covers property valuation, portfolio management, and financing.
• CESGA - Certified ESG Analyst ESG certification providing expertise in sustainable, financially attractive investments for clients demanding sustainable support.
• Digital Assets and MiCA - DiAM Certificate providing basic knowledge of cryptocurrencies and financial assets represented in blockchain, including MiCA regulation practical knowledge.
• CFDS - Chartered Financial Data Scientist Certification covering data handling, understanding of interdependencies, and basic programming knowledge for financial data science applications.
• ECRA - EFFAS Certified Climate Risk Analyst Certificate awarded by the European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies (EFFAS) equipping finance and investment professionals with expertise to navigate climate risks and their economic implications.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

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

• SFAA (Swiss Financial Analysts Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFAA is the parent company and alumni organization of AZEK. SFAA is a non-profit professional membership association with approximately 3,000 members. SFAA has been recognized by SERI as the examining and awarding body for Federal Diplomas. SFAA offers continuous training seminars and networking events.
• AMAS (Asset Management Association Switzerland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZEK Private Markets Certificate was developed in cooperation with AMAS. This 6-day certificate course provides practical training in Private Markets with an experienced Advisory Board.
• AIWM (Association of International Wealth Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIWM is an SFAA Affiliate and the international professional organization for wealth managers, portfolio managers, investment advisors, asset managers and trust and estate practitioners worldwide. AIWM is the awarding body for Associate Wealth Manager (AWM) and Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) diplomas.
• ACIIA (Association of Certified International Investment Analysts)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACIIA is the international professional organization that awards the CIIA (Certified International Investment Analyst) designation alongside SFAA.
• Moody's AnalyticsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIWM partnered with Moody's Analytics to introduce the Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM) program in North America, starting with Canada. This partnership leverages AIWM's wealth management competency model and Moody's Analytics learning methodologies.
• SAQ (Swiss Association of Quality)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAQ is a partnership listed on AZEK's website. CEREF course blocks are accredited for SAQ re-certification.
• iaziminorStrategic or Co-development Partneriazi is a partner for the CEREF (Certificate in Real Estate Finance) program, with their logo displayed on course materials.
• PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers' International Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIIA designation holders may receive exemption from PRM Exam 1 and a 50% discount on the application fee through PRMIA's cross-over program.
• CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFor full UK RDR recognition, CIWM/CIIA holders must complete two additional modules from CISI covering FCA regulation and UK-specific investment, risk and taxation content.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• CFA Institute: CFA Institute is the global standard for investment professional certification, offering the CFA Program. It directly competes with AZEK's CIIA Financial Analyst and Portfolio Manager diploma for the same segment of investment professionals pursuing the most recognized credential.
• GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals): GARP administers the FRM (Financial Risk Manager) certification, which is the dominant global credential for risk professionals. It directly competes with AZEK's ECRA climate risk and broader finance/risk diploma programs for the same professional audience.
• PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers' International Association): PRMIA offers the Professional Risk Manager (PRM) certification and is a direct peer in the financial risk and analytics credentialing space. PRMIA has an active cross-over program with AZEK's CIIA designation, confirming direct overlap in target audience.
• CAIA Association: CAIA Association offers the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation, which directly overlaps with AZEK's AZEK Private Markets Certificate (developed with AMAS) for the same segment of alternative investments professionals.
• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI): CISI is the leading UK-based professional body for securities, investment and wealth management professionals. It is a direct peer to AZEK's CIWM and CIIA programs and an actual AZEK partner for RDR-compliant modules, competing for the same compliance-driven credentialing market.

Broad incumbents

• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: Frankfurt School is a large European finance and management education provider offering banking and finance certifications, executive programs and degrees. It is a broad incumbent in the same DACH-region financial professional education space as AZEK but at much larger scale.
• EFFAS (European Federation of Financial Analysts Societies): EFFAS is the European umbrella body for national financial analyst associations and awards the ECRA climate risk certification that AZEK delivers. It is both a content partner (delivering ECRA through AZEK) and a broad incumbent offering its own programs across multiple European geographies.

Others

• SAQ (Swiss Association for Quality): SAQ is the Swiss Association for Quality which delivers continuing education and re-certification programs for financial professionals and is an AZEK partner for CEREF accreditation. While not a direct competitor, it is part of the same ecosystem of Swiss professional certification bodies.

Regional players

• Kalaidos Fachhochschule: Kalaidos Fachhochschule is a Swiss private university of applied sciences offering applied finance and banking degree programs and continuing education for working professionals. It directly competes with AZEK in the Swiss market for finance professional credentials.
• HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich: HWZ is a leading Swiss business school offering specialized finance, banking and wealth management programs (CAS, DAS, MAS) for working professionals in Zurich. It is a regional direct competitor to AZEK's diploma and certificate programs in the Swiss German market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@azekswiss
• Facebookfacebook.com/azekswiss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/azek---the-swiss-training-centre-for-investment-professionals
• Instagraminstagram.com/azekswiss

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 AZEK