TalentSmart
TalentSmart (TalentSmartEQ) is a private San Diego-based emotional intelligence company offering proprietary EQ assessments, training programs, AI-powered coaching, and trainer certifications to enterprise organizations — including 75% of the Fortune 500 — as well as individual buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TalentSmart does
TalentSmart Inc. (doing business as TalentSmartEQ) is a privately held San Diego-based company founded in 1996 that specializes in emotional intelligence (EQ) assessment and training. Its core offering is a proprietary EQ assessment that has been completed by over 2 million people, paired with a tiered curriculum built around the methodology of the best-selling book "Emotional Intelligence 2.0," which has sold more than 2.5 million copies. The portfolio spans foundational programs (Mastering EQ Level 1 and Level 2, EQ Essentials), applied programs (EQ in Action, EQ for Teams, EQ for Sales, Leading Through Friction, EQ in Policing), assessment products, human executive coaching, and an AI-Powered Coaching platform.
The company's technology stack centers on its validated EQ assessment instrument and the app.talentsmarteq.com digital delivery platform that hosts AI-driven coaching. Distribution operates through four channels: direct enterprise field sales (targeting 75% of the Fortune 500), a global certified-trainer network (B2B2B licensing model), self-service e-commerce for individual assessments and books, and virtual instructor-led training. Revenue is generated via custom-quoted enterprise subscriptions, trainer certification licensing fees, executive and AI coaching engagements, standalone assessment and book sales, and keynote speaking. Named enterprise customers include DaVita, NV, and Ally Bank, and the company continues to expand its curriculum with new offerings such as the April 2026 launch of "Leading Through Friction."
TalentSmart firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TalentSmart
- Legal name
- TalentSmart Inc.
- Website
- https://talentsmart.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TalentSmart (TalentSmartEQ) is a private San Diego-based emotional intelligence company offering proprietary EQ assessments, training programs, AI-powered coaching, and trainer certifications to enterprise organizations — including 75% of the Fortune 500 — as well as individual buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TalentSmart industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Training and Coaching
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Self-Awareness (EDABAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Skills Assessment & Talent/Employability Testing Platforms (EDAFADAM), Sales Leadership & Revenue Executive Coaching (EDABANAL)
Keywords
Where TalentSmart is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
TalentSmart business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Enterprise EQ Training Programs: Organization-wide emotional intelligence training including Mastering EQ, EQ for Teams, EQ in Action, and EQ Essentials delivered through instructor-led sessions, virtual training, or internal trainer deployment. Pricing is custom/quote-based for enterprise engagements.
- Trainer Certification: Certification programs for external trainers to deliver TalentSmartEQ content, generating recurring licensing and certification fees. Upcoming dates include Mastering EQ Level 1 (July 14-15) and Level 2 (July 16-17).
- Executive and AI Coaching: One-on-one coaching services including AI-powered coaching and traditional executive coaching for leadership development.
- Assessments: EQ assessments sold as standalone products, with over 2 million completions documented.
- Speaking and Keynotes: Keynote presentations and executive sessions for corporate events and conferences.
- Book Sales: Sales of the award-winning Emotional Intelligence 2.0 book and related publications. Over 2.5 million copies sold.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Trainer Certification Programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise Team Programs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Assessments |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
TalentSmart product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TalentSmart (TalentSmartEQ) delivers emotional intelligence training programs, proprietary EQ assessments, AI-powered and executive coaching, and trainer certification to enterprise organizations and individual learners. The company sells multi-level EQ curricula (Mastering EQ Level 1 and 2, Leading Through Friction, EQ for Sales, Mastering EQ for Teams, EQ in Action, EQ Essentials, EQ in Policing) alongside assessments, coaching services, keynotes, and the #1 best-selling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0. Revenue is generated through enterprise training contracts, certification licensing, assessment sales, coaching engagements, keynote fees, and book sales.
Product overview
TalentSmartEQ operates as a comprehensive emotional intelligence training and assessment company offering a multi-product portfolio centered around EQ development. The core offering consists of multiple training programs including Mastering EQ (Level 1 and Level 2), Leading Through Friction, EQ for Sales, Mastering EQ for Teams, EQ in Action, EQ Essentials, and EQ in Policing—all built on the Emotional Intelligence 2.0 methodology from the best-selling book (2.5M+ copies sold). These programs are complemented by EQ Assessments (used by 2M+ people), AI-Powered Coaching, Executive Coaching, and Keynotes services. The company also offers Trainer Certification Programs for organizations wanting to internalize EQ training. The portfolio serves enterprise clients (75% of Fortune 500) and SMBs across industries through both direct delivery and certified trainer networks.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mastering EQ Level 1 Foundational emotional intelligence training program based on the best-selling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0. Learners learn four core EQ skills (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management) and create individual development plans.
- Mastering EQ Level 2 Advanced continuation of Mastering EQ Level 1, providing deeper training in emotional intelligence skills for participants who have completed the foundational program.
- Leading Through Friction Leadership program that helps leaders recognize and navigate friction to accelerate performance, turning moments of tension, resistance, and change into improved performance.
- EQ for Sales Specialized EQ training program designed for sales teams to enhance their emotional intelligence skills for improved sales performance.
- Mastering EQ for Teams Team-focused program where teams understand their current team emotional intelligence and create action plans using proven strategies to improve collaboration.
- EQ in Action Comprehensive suite of programs helping learners apply EQ to master critical skills: navigating emotional conversations, giving and receiving feedback, active listening, managing change, and building resilience.
- EQ Essentials Foundational EQ training covering the basics of emotional intelligence for organizations seeking introductory-level training.
- EQ in Policing Specialized EQ training program designed for law enforcement professionals to enhance emotional intelligence in their roles.
- EQ Assessments EQ assessments that measure emotional intelligence skills, with over 2 million people having completed the assessment. Provides individual development plans based on self-assessment results.
- AI-Powered Coaching AI-driven coaching solution that complements human executive coaching, enabling scalable personalized emotional intelligence development support.
- Executive Coaching Human-led executive coaching services for senior leaders, delivered as a premium engagement for leadership development and emotional intelligence enhancement.
- Keynotes Motivational and educational keynote presentations on emotional intelligence topics for corporate events and conferences.
- Trainer Certification Programs Certification program for individuals to become certified TalentSmartEQ trainers, enabling them to deliver EQ training to their own organizations and clients.
- Emotional Intelligence 2.0 (book) The #1 best-selling, award-winning book co-authored by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves that forms the foundation of TalentSmartEQ's methodology. Over 2.5 million copies sold.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% goal achievement for analyst leadership development at DaVita
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use TalentSmart
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
TalentSmart technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature4 records
TalentSmart partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TalentSmart competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Six Seconds: Six Seconds is a global emotional intelligence research and training organization that offers EQ assessments, certifications, and corporate training programs — directly comparable to TalentSmartEQ's EQ assessment, training, and certification portfolio.
- Multi-Health Systems (MHS): MHS publishes the EQ-i 2.0 assessment and a suite of psychometric tools used by coaches and enterprises. It competes directly with TalentSmartEQ in EQ assessment instruments and the surrounding training ecosystem.
- Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts): Crucial Learning offers training in communication, influence, and leadership skills — overlapping with TalentSmartEQ's EQ in Action, EQ for Teams, and Leading Through Friction offerings in the soft-skills training category.
Broad incumbents
- Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a top-ranked leadership education and research institution offering executive programs, assessments, and coaching. It competes with TalentSmartEQ in the enterprise leadership development space.
- DDI (Development Dimensions International): DDI is a global leadership development firm providing assessment, training, and coaching to large enterprises. Its leadership training portfolio overlaps materially with TalentSmartEQ's enterprise offerings.
- Dale Carnegie Training: Dale Carnegie is a long-established provider of corporate training in interpersonal skills, leadership, and sales effectiveness. Its course catalog and global trainer network closely parallel TalentSmartEQ's enterprise and certified-trainer model.
- Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a large leadership development and assessment practice. Its Korn Ferry Hay Group division competes with TalentSmartEQ in enterprise assessment-based leadership programs.
- FranklinCovey: FranklinCovey is a long-established leadership and organizational performance company offering training content, certifications, and enterprise programs. It competes with TalentSmartEQ in the broader corporate leadership and soft-skills training market.
Emerging players
- BetterUp: BetterUp is an AI-augmented coaching and mental health platform serving enterprises. It overlaps with TalentSmartEQ's executive and AI-powered coaching offerings, particularly in the leadership development use case.
- CoachHub: CoachHub operates a global digital coaching platform for enterprise leadership development. It is a comparable emerging competitor in the AI-enabled executive coaching category where TalentSmartEQ has begun to play.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TalentSmart social profiles
Digital presenceTalentSmart financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TalentSmart leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
TalentSmart funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TalentSmart 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 TalentSmart
What does TalentSmart do?
TalentSmart (TalentSmartEQ) delivers emotional intelligence training programs, proprietary EQ assessments, AI-powered and executive coaching, and trainer certification to enterprise organizations and individual learners. The company sells multi-level EQ curricula (Mastering EQ Level 1 and 2, Leading Through Friction, EQ for Sales, Mastering EQ for Teams, EQ in Action, EQ Essentials, EQ in Policing) alongside assessments, coaching services, keynotes, and the #1 best-selling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0. Revenue is generated through enterprise training contracts, certification licensing, assessment sales, coaching engagements, keynote fees, and book sales.
Is TalentSmart a public or private company?
TalentSmart is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was TalentSmart founded?
TalentSmart was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TalentSmart based?
TalentSmart is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does TalentSmart make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Enterprise EQ Training Programs are the primary driver. The others are trainer Certification, executive and AI Coaching, assessments, speaking and Keynotes and book Sales.
Who are TalentSmart's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Six Seconds, Multi-Health Systems (MHS) and Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts). Broad incumbents are Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), DDI (Development Dimensions International), Dale Carnegie Training, Korn Ferry and FranklinCovey. Emerging players are BetterUp and CoachHub.
Does TalentSmart have an API?
No public API is recorded for TalentSmart.
What industry is TalentSmart in?
TalentSmart's product category is Professional Training and Coaching. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAMAD, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Self-Awareness, with a secondary code of EDAFADAM, Skills Assessment & Talent/Employability Testing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.