Authentica
Authentica delivers UN SDG-aligned experiential study abroad programs for university students from the US, Canada, and Australia. Founded in 2010, it offers standard programs in Florence, Barcelona, and Seoul, plus custom institutional programs and professional development offerings.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersLexington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Authentica does
Authentica is a US-headquartered, founder-led provider of experiential study abroad programs for university students, founded in 2010 and bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding. The company delivers curriculum organized around the UN Sustainable Development Goals and NACE career competencies, with a stated focus on building global workforce skills for students from institutions in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Since founding, the company reports serving 4,500+ participants across 160+ programs in 25+ locations, with current standard programs in Florence (Italy) and Barcelona (Spain), an upcoming Seoul (South Korea) location launching in 2026 via Sogang University, plus a custom program line developed in collaboration with university partners.
The core product set comprises semester programs (12-15 credits at $14,900-$19,160) and summer short-term programs (3 credits at $4,970-$5,870), supplemented by the IMPACT professional development program for study abroad professionals, the SCALE Scholars scholarship, the JetSet Flight Credit program, the Changemaker Crew student ambassador program, and the AI Faculty Proposal Tool (launched 2026). Academic accreditation runs through Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) as School of Record. Revenue mechanics are predominantly B2B2C: Authentica sells to university study abroad offices and faculty via direct enterprise sales and RFP processes, with end consumers (students) paying program fees, while direct-to-consumer marketing runs through the company website, social media, and ambassador channels. The GTM motion includes dedicated Institutional Relations teams, conference presence (NAFSA), webinars, and the Disruption Playbook thought leadership series, positioning the company as a resilience-focused, SDG-aligned alternative to traditional study abroad providers.
Authentica firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Authentica
- Legal name
- Authentica
- Website
- https://authentica.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Authentica delivers UN SDG-aligned experiential study abroad programs for university students from the US, Canada, and Australia. Founded in 2010, it offers standard programs in Florence, Barcelona, and Seoul, plus custom institutional programs and professional development offerings.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Authentica industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Study Abroad & Experiential Education Programs
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Faculty-Led & Custom Group Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAA), University-Led Summer/Winter Schools (Credit/Non-Credit) (EDAIAIAA), Short-Term Exchange & Visiting Student Programs (EDAIABAG)
Keywords
Where Authentica is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lexington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Authentica business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Study Abroad Program Fees: Primary revenue stream from semester and short-term study abroad programs. Students pay program fees that include tuition, housing, excursions, airport transfers, insurance, and some meals. Pricing varies by location: Florence semester $18,580, Barcelona semester $19,160, Seoul semester $14,900 (Fall 2026). Summer programs range from $4,970-$5,870.
- Application Fees: Students pay a $25 application fee when applying to programs. This fee is credited toward the final program payment.
- Professional Development Programs: IMPACT professional development program for study abroad professionals generates revenue at AUD $1,250/USD $850 per person (twin-sharing) or AUD $1,600/USD $1,080 (single room), with approximately 16-20 participants per cohort.
- Scholarship and Financial Programs: JetSet Flight Credit program rewards early applicants with flight credits of up to $500-$750, which may generate revenue through partnerships with flight booking services like Voyzant.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Barcelona Full Semester Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Barcelona Summer Short-Term Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Florence Full Semester Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Florence Summer Short-Term Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Seoul Full Semester Program (Fall 2026) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Seoul Summer Short-Term Program |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | IMPACT Professional Development Program - Twin Share |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | IMPACT Professional Development Program - Single Room |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Authentica product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Authentica designs and delivers study abroad programs for university students, including standard semester and summer programs in Florence, Barcelona, and (upcoming) Seoul, plus custom programs co-designed with institutional partners. All programs are built around UN Sustainable Development Goals and career development competencies, with tuition, housing, excursions, insurance, and 24/7 on-ground support bundled into a single program fee. Academic credit is issued via a School of Record relationship with Florida A&M University, and the company supports both standard and custom delivery, including professional development programs for study abroad administrators.
Product overview
Authentica is an academic and experiential program provider of expertly-curated global study abroad programs. The core offering consists of Standard Programs in Florence, Barcelona, and Seoul (upcoming), along with Custom Programs developed for university partners. Supporting products include the IMPACT Professional Development Program for study abroad professionals, SCALE Scholars scholarship program, JetSet Flight Credit program, Changemaker Crew student ambassador program, Authentic EDge newsletter, and the AI Faculty Proposal Tool. Since 2010, the company has delivered over 160 programs in more than 25 locations to 4,500+ participants from institutions in the United States, Canada, and Australia, with a focus on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and career development for a global workforce.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IMPACT: International educator Mobility ProgrAm for Collaborative Transformation - a professional development program for study abroad professionals focused on designing and managing inclusive and sustainable study abroad programs.
- JetSet Flight Credit Program
- Changemaker Crew
- SCALE Scholars
Products and services
- Florence Study Abroad Program Semester (12–15 credits) and summer (3 credits + optional second course) study abroad program in Florence, Italy, with UN SDG-aligned thematic concentrations and academic credit issued through FAMU as School of Record. Targets undergraduate and graduate students from U.S., Canadian, and Australian partner universities.
- Barcelona Study Abroad Program Semester (12–15 credits) and summer (3 credits + optional second course) study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain, with UN SDG-aligned concentrations and direct routing from major North American hubs. Targets undergraduate and graduate students seeking European immersion.
- Seoul Study Abroad Program Upcoming standard semester and summer study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea, in partnership with Sogang University, focused on technology, innovation, and K-culture learning objectives. Asia counterweight to the European portfolio for geographic diversification.
- Custom Study Abroad Programs Tailored study abroad programs developed and delivered to fulfill university partners' specific needs and priorities while maintaining focus on sustainability and career development. Co-designed alongside program directors and faculty members via RFP processes. Targets university study abroad offices and faculty program directors.
- IMPACT Professional Development Program Career development program for study abroad professionals focused on designing and managing inclusive and sustainable global education programs. Includes experiential learning workshops, strategic site visits, and intensive training sessions in India. Targets university international education administrators and faculty.
- Authentica AI Faculty Proposal Tool AI-assisted tool that helps faculty turn a learning objective, destination, dates, and group size into a structured, submission-ready program proposal in minutes rather than weeks. Targets university faculty designing custom study abroad programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,500+ participants served since 2010
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Authentica
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Authentica technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Authentica partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU)coreFAMU serves as the School of Record for Authentica's programs, providing academic accreditation and transcripting services for student coursework. Authentica courses are transcripted through FAMU, ensuring credits are recognized by students' home institutions.
- Sogang UniversitycoreStrategic partnership for Authentica's third standard program location in Seoul, South Korea. Sogang University is one of South Korea's most respected academic institutions, hosting Authentica's Asian program operations with focus on technology, innovation, and K-culture learning objectives.
- UNC Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolcoreOngoing partnership for MBA Global Programs. Authentica designs and delivers custom experiential programs in India and other international destinations, including high-quality content, visits, cultural activities, and internship placements. Programs provide experiences that 'will stay with them for the rest of their professional lives.'
- Ivey Business SchoolcorePartnership for MSc International Management programs with internship components. Authentica scopes projects with host companies addressing company challenges while leveraging student backgrounds. Programs include consulting toolkit training and real-world work plan development.
- University of SydneyminorPartner institution sending students on Authentica programs, with faculty-led delegations including Lecturer in Humanitarian Engineering programs to India.
- University of San DiegominorShort-term faculty-led program partner for India programs. Authentica handles customized logistics, vetted hotels and sites, and 24/7 support including retrieving lost items and managing illness within groups.
- Swinburne University of TechnologyminorAustralian university partner sending students on India programs with homestay experiences. Student testimonial notes seamless organization and transformational experiences.
- Engineers Without Borders - AustraliaminorNon-profit engineering organization partnering with Authentica for team-based programs in India. Authentica provides logistics, community connections, and NGO partnerships. Team Captain James Ayers commends Authentica's attention to detail and relationships.
- VozantminorTrusted flight booking partner for JetSet Flight Credit program. Connects students with flight booking assistance through unique links provided after program acceptance.
- VoyzantminorFlight booking partner for JetSet Flight Credit program. Students receive unique links to Voyzant's services, with option to book independently without using Voyzant's services.
- Various Social Enterprises and NGOs (India)minorLocal partners in India including Sakha Cabs (women's safety), Salaam Baalak Trust (street children), Sheroes Café (acid attack survivors), Wildlife SOS (animal rights). These partnerships enable authentic experiential learning and community engagement.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Authentica competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): One of the largest US-based study abroad program providers offering semester, summer, and custom faculty-led programs across dozens of global locations. Directly comparable to Authentica's standard and custom program model targeting US university students.
- IES Abroad: Nonprofit study abroad provider with semester and summer programs across 20+ cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Directly comparable on multi-city program portfolio, custom program offerings, and university partnership model.
- CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Study abroad provider operating multiple city-based semester and short-term programs with strong emphasis on internship integration and cultural immersion. Closely comparable to Authentica's city-as-classroom approach and career-focused programming.
- SAI Programs: Study abroad provider with semester and summer programs in Italy, France, Spain, and other European destinations. Comparable to Authentica's Florence and Barcelona standard program model and partnership-based enrollment flow.
- API (Academic Programs International): Study abroad provider offering semester, summer, and custom faculty-led programs across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Directly comparable on multi-location portfolio, custom program development, and university partnership GTM.
- USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium): Nonprofit consortium offering affordable study abroad programs in 50+ locations, structured around university partnerships. Comparable to Authentica's institutional partnership model and multi-country portfolio approach.
- CIS Abroad: Study abroad provider focused on semester, summer, and internship programs across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the South Pacific. Comparable on program structure, internship integration, and direct-to-university partnerships.
- CAPA The Global Education Network: Study abroad provider with city-based programs in multiple global destinations, strong emphasis on internships and career development. Directly comparable to Authentica's career-focused, city-as-classroom approach.
Broad incumbents
- WorldStrides / ISA (International Studies Abroad): Large education-travel platform that owns ISA and other study abroad brands, offering semester, summer, and custom programs globally. Comparable on product surface but significantly larger scale and broader educational travel portfolio than Authentica.
Emerging players
- Semester at Sea: Shipboard multi-country semester program provider under the Institute for Shipboard Education. Comparable as an alternative multi-country study abroad option for US university students, though with a fundamentally different delivery model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Authentica social profiles
Digital presenceAuthentica financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Authentica leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Authentica funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Authentica 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 Authentica
What does Authentica do?
Authentica designs and delivers study abroad programs for university students, including standard semester and summer programs in Florence, Barcelona, and (upcoming) Seoul, plus custom programs co-designed with institutional partners. All programs are built around UN Sustainable Development Goals and career development competencies, with tuition, housing, excursions, insurance, and 24/7 on-ground support bundled into a single program fee. Academic credit is issued via a School of Record relationship with Florida A&M University, and the company supports both standard and custom delivery, including professional development programs for study abroad administrators.
Is Authentica a public or private company?
Authentica is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Authentica founded?
Authentica was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Authentica based?
Authentica is headquartered in Lexington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Authentica make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Study Abroad Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are application Fees, professional Development Programs and scholarship and Financial Programs.
Who are Authentica's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), IES Abroad, CEA CAPA Education Abroad, SAI Programs, API (Academic Programs International), USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium), CIS Abroad and CAPA The Global Education Network. WorldStrides / ISA (International Studies Abroad) is listed as a broad incumbent. Semester at Sea is listed as an emerging player.
Does Authentica have an API?
No public API is recorded for Authentica.
What industry is Authentica in?
Authentica's product category is Study Abroad & Experiential Education Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAAAE, Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs, with a secondary code of EDAIAAAA, Faculty-Led & Custom Group Study Abroad Programs. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.