InterVarsity Press
InterVarsity Press is a non-profit evangelical Christian book publisher founded in 1947, producing books, audiobooks, Bible studies, and video curriculum across academic, church, family, and Spanish-language audiences via its website, booksellers, and Audible.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersWestmont, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What InterVarsity Press does
InterVarsity Press is a non-profit, evangelical Christian book publisher founded in 1947 and headquartered in Westmont, Illinois, operating as a publishing ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The company produces physical books, ebooks, audiobooks, Bible study workbooks, and video curriculum across sub-brands including IVP Academic (scholarly titles, commentaries, and textbooks for seminaries and universities), IVP Formatio (spiritual formation), IVP Kids (children's and family titles), and IVP Español (Spanish-language content). The flagship LifeGuide Bible Studies series spans more than 150 titles, and additional catalog assets include the Reformation Commentary on Scripture, N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides, John Stott Bible Studies, and the IVP Signature Collection launched for the publisher's 75th anniversary in 2022.
The business model is primarily transactional: revenue is generated through one-time book sales via the company's own e-commerce site (ivpress.com), physical and digital booksellers, academic channels (desk and exam copy programs for instructors), international shipping, and audiobook distribution through Audible and Christian Audio. A secondary recurring-revenue layer exists through the Reformation Commentary on Scripture Membership Program subscription, and promotional discounting is used tactically (25–40% off Bible study packs, up to 60% off selected ebook promotions). Customer segments span academic and seminary faculty and students, pastors and church leaders, general Christian readers, families with children, and Spanish-speaking Christian audiences, with marketing delivered through email newsletters, a multi-show podcast network, social media, book clubs, and community programs.
Distribution and audience development are diversified across owned digital properties, third-party retail, academic channels, and audiobook platforms. The company holds no proprietary technology platform, no public APIs, and no AI/ML capabilities, operating instead as a traditional editorial publishing house whose differentiation rests on 75+ years of brand credibility, multi-format content ecosystem, and relationships with high-profile evangelical authors and scholars. IVP has been recognized through awards from Christianity Today, Publishers Weekly, ECPA, the Christian Book Award program, and other industry bodies, and operates without disclosed funding, M&A, or leadership changes in the available data.
InterVarsity Press firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- InterVarsity Press
- Legal name
- InterVarsity Press
- Website
- https://ivpress.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- InterVarsity Press is a non-profit evangelical Christian book publisher founded in 1947, producing books, audiobooks, Bible studies, and video curriculum across academic, church, family, and Spanish-language audiences via its website, booksellers, and Audible.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
InterVarsity Press industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious & Christian Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Religious Fiction & Inspirational Literature Publishing (MPAJAHAF)
Keywords
Where InterVarsity Press is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Westmont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
InterVarsity Press business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Book Sales: InterVarsity Press generates revenue primarily through the sale of physical books, e-books, and audiobooks. Products are sold at various price points with promotional discounts offered periodically. The company publishes across multiple categories including academic titles, Christian living, Bible studies, fiction, and children's books.
- Membership Programs: IVP offers membership programs such as the Reformation Commentary on Scripture Membership Program, providing ongoing subscription access to content and resources.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard book pricing with promotional discounts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | IVP Bible Study Experience series |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
InterVarsity Press product offering
Product offeringCore offering
InterVarsity Press is a non-profit Christian book publisher that produces and distributes physical books, e-books, audiobooks, Bible study curricula, and video-based Bible studies. Its portfolio spans theology, biblical studies, Christian living, mental health, social justice, spiritual formation, fiction, and children's publishing, organized under sub-brands including IVP Formatio, IVP Español, IVP Kids, and IVP Academic. The company sells directly to consumers through its website and distributes through booksellers, academic channels, and audiobook platforms.
Product overview
InterVarsity Press is a Christian book publisher founded in 1947 that produces a diverse portfolio of physical and digital books, audiobooks, Bible studies, and video curriculum. The core offering includes IVP Books spanning Christian living, theology, academic titles, and fiction; the bestselling LifeGuide Bible Studies series with over 150 titles; and the IVP Bible Study Experience with video curriculum access. The company operates sub-brands including IVP Formatio (spiritual formation), IVP Español (Spanish-language titles), IVP Kids (children's publishing), and IVP Academic (scholarly works). Products are distributed through the company's website and third-party audiobook platforms including Christian Audio and Audible.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IVP Books Physical and digital books covering Christian living, theology, Bible studies, academic titles, fiction, and more, spanning dozens of categories including apologetics, spiritual formation, social justice, mental health, and church ministry. The core publishing offering for general Christian readers.
- Audiobooks Audiobook versions of select IVP titles available through Christian Audio and Audible platforms, covering topics from Christian living to academic theology.
- IVP Formatio (Spiritual Formation Imprint) A spiritual formation imprint focused on contemplative Christian practices, spiritual disciplines, and holistic growth, including books using the Enneagram framework.
- IVP Español Spanish-language publishing division offering books for nurturing faith and enriching spiritual life in the Spanish-speaking world.
- IVP Kids Children's publishing including picture books, board books, middle grade books, and award-winning titles for young readers.
- IVP Academic Academic and scholarly publishing including titles, textbooks, reference works, commentaries, and instructor resources for seminary and university use.
- LifeGuide Bible Studies Bestselling Bible study series with over 150 titles for Old and New Testament books, character studies, and topical studies. Trusted since 1947 for small groups with interactive format and leader guides.
- IVP Bible Study Experience Inductive Bible study workbook series with video curriculum access included, 6-8 weekly group sessions with 5 days of individual reflection each week, and an included leader's guide.
- Video Curriculum Video-based Bible studies and curriculum including streaming video sessions with Truth's Table, Travis Collins, and video courses like 'Teach Your Children Well' and 'In Church as It Is in Heaven'.
- IVP Fiction Spiritual and academic/historical fiction including Sharon Garlough Brown's Sensible Shoes Series, the Week in the Life Series, and novels exploring Christian truths through narrative.
- Reformation Commentary on Scripture (RCS) Membership Program Multi-volume commentary series on Scripture written from Reformation perspectives, available through a membership program for ongoing study.
- IVP Signature Collection 75th anniversary collection of classic and significant IVP titles with companion Bible studies, celebrating the publisher's legacy since 1947.
- IVP Book Drop Subscription or periodic book release program with discounted access to new IVP titles.
Companies that use InterVarsity Press
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
InterVarsity Press technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
InterVarsity Press partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
InterVarsity Press competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Moody Publishers: Moody Publishers is a non-profit evangelical Christian publisher affiliated with the Moody Bible Institute, producing theology, biblical studies, Christian living, and academic titles — the closest direct comparable to IVP in mission, scale, and catalog mix.
- Crossway: Crossway is a non-profit evangelical publisher known for the ESV Bible and a strong list of theology, biblical studies, and Christian living titles, with a similar academic-leaning editorial profile and comparable catalog depth.
- William B. Eerdmans Publishing: Eerdmans is an independent, family-owned publisher of religious and scholarly books, particularly known for academic theology, biblical studies, and ethics — directly comparable to IVP Academic in editorial positioning.
- Baker Books / Baker Academic: Baker Book House is a family-owned evangelical publisher with strong trade (Baker Books) and academic (Baker Academic) divisions, directly competing with IVP across Christian living, theology, and seminary-level scholarship.
- Tyndale House Publishers: Tyndale House is a non-profit evangelical publisher of Bibles, fiction (Left Behind), and Christian living titles — overlapping with IVP's trade catalog and Bible study products, though larger and more consumer-oriented.
- B&H Publishing Group: B&H Publishing is the publishing arm of LifeWay Christian Resources, producing academic (B&H Academic) and trade titles for Southern Baptist and broader evangelical audiences — directly comparable to IVP's academic and ministry segments.
- Bethany House Publishers: Bethany House, an imprint of Baker Publishing Group, is a long-standing evangelical publisher with strength in Christian fiction and historical fiction — directly comparable to IVP Fiction and the broader trade catalog.
Broad incumbents
- Zondervan: Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is one of the largest evangelical publishers globally with a broad trade and academic list — a scaled incumbent that competes with IVP on bestsellers, academic adoptions, and Bible study products.
- Thomas Nelson Publishers: Thomas Nelson, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, is a major Bible and trade Christian publisher with celebrity author relationships and large retail distribution — a much larger incumbent that competes with IVP for general Christian readers.
- WaterBrook & Multnomah: WaterBrook & Multnomah, an imprint of Penguin Random House, publishes trade evangelical and inspirational titles, overlapping with IVP's Christian living and fiction segments at a larger distribution scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
InterVarsity Press social profiles
Digital presenceInterVarsity Press financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
InterVarsity Press leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
InterVarsity Press funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
InterVarsity Press 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 InterVarsity Press
What does InterVarsity Press do?
InterVarsity Press is a non-profit Christian book publisher that produces and distributes physical books, e-books, audiobooks, Bible study curricula, and video-based Bible studies. Its portfolio spans theology, biblical studies, Christian living, mental health, social justice, spiritual formation, fiction, and children's publishing, organized under sub-brands including IVP Formatio, IVP Español, IVP Kids, and IVP Academic. The company sells directly to consumers through its website and distributes through booksellers, academic channels, and audiobook platforms.
Is InterVarsity Press a public or private company?
InterVarsity Press is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was InterVarsity Press founded?
InterVarsity Press was founded in 1947. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is InterVarsity Press based?
InterVarsity Press is headquartered in Westmont, United States, in the North America region.
How does InterVarsity Press make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are membership Programs.
Who are InterVarsity Press's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Moody Publishers, Crossway, William B. Eerdmans Publishing, Baker Books / Baker Academic, Tyndale House Publishers, B&H Publishing Group and Bethany House Publishers. Broad incumbents are Zondervan, Thomas Nelson Publishers and WaterBrook & Multnomah.
Does InterVarsity Press have an API?
No public API is recorded for InterVarsity Press.
What industry is InterVarsity Press in?
InterVarsity Press's product category is Religious & Christian Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAHAG, Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics), with a secondary code of MPAJAHAC, Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.