Krav Maga Worldwide
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Krav Maga Worldwide does
Krav Maga Worldwide (KMW) is a Los Angeles-based private organization that licenses, certifies, and disseminates the Krav Maga self-defense system originating from founder Imi Lichtenfeld, who served as chief instructor for the Israeli Defense Forces beginning in 1948. Established in 1998 by Darren Levine, one of Imi's earliest American students and recipient of one of only two Founder's Diplomas, KMW operates as the principal Western vehicle for propagating Krav Maga, organized around a five-tier belt progression (Yellow through Black) built on principles such as the RCAT framework (Redirect, Control, Attack, Takeaway) for weapons defense. The core technology is the principle-driven self-defense curriculum itself, complemented by an online Academy platform, specialty fitness classes (KM Bag, Mobility/Yoga), and a structured Phase A/B/C instructor certification program.
The company monetizes through five primary revenue streams: (1) licensing fees paid by thousands of martial arts schools and training centers worldwide to operate under the KMW brand and curriculum, (2) professional instructor certification programs, (3) enterprise training contracts delivered through the Force Training Division to law enforcement agencies and military units, (4) branded merchandise sales via an e-commerce store, and (5) events and seminars. The Force Training Division has trained over 1,000 law enforcement agencies and hundreds of U.S. military units domestically and internationally, representing the enterprise/government sales channel, while the consumer channel is served through licensed schools and HQ Training Centers in the Los Angeles area. Pricing for memberships is set at the licensee level and not publicly disclosed; merchandise ranges from $19.50 to $59.00.
Following the 2024 passing of co-founder Darren Levine, leadership transitioned to a team of senior licensee-instructors including Jon Pascal (U.S. Chief Instructor, 8th Degree Black Belt), CJ Kirk (Steward of the Krav Maga System and first Master Instructor), Kelly Campbell (Deputy Chief Instructor), and Joel Ellenbecker (Licensing Division). The organization maintains a hybrid go-to-market spanning direct-to-consumer (HQ training centers and merchandise), enterprise field sales (law enforcement/military), and channel partner/licensing relationships (martial arts schools and certified instructors) across the U.S., Europe (Netherlands), and Asia (Japan). A November 2025 exclusive U.S. partnership with The Academic College at Levinsky-Wingate signals continued international and academic-channel expansion.
Krav Maga Worldwide firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Krav Maga Worldwide
- Legal name
- Krav Maga Worldwide
- Website
- https://kravmaga.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Krav Maga Worldwide industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Defense Training Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reality-Based Self-Defense Programs (Krav Maga, Combatives) (HSADADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Law Enforcement / Military / Security Defensive Tactics Training (HSADADAI), Women’s Self-Defense Classes (HSADADAH)
Keywords
Where Krav Maga Worldwide is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Krav Maga Worldwide business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Licensing Fees: Martial arts schools and training centers pay licensing fees to use the Krav Maga Worldwide name, official marks, and curriculum. This includes exclusive entry to training and major savings on events.
- Instructor Certification Programs: Rigorous instructor certification programs for individuals wanting to become certified Krav Maga instructors. Programs involve training and evaluation processes.
- Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded apparel and accessories including hoodies, t-shirts, slides, hats, and tumblers. Products are made on demand to reduce overproduction.
- Law Enforcement and Military Training: Force Training Division provides professional training to law enforcement agencies and military units. The division has trained over 1,000 law enforcement agencies and hundreds of military units.
- Events and Seminars: Organization hosts events, seminars, and workshops for instructors and students with specialized topic training. Includes seasonal product ordering for licensees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | KMW Signature Hoodie |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | KMW Triangle Organic Cotton T-Shirt |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kuf Mem Slides (Men's and Women's) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Triangle Logo Hat w/Mesh Back |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kuf Mem Pullover (Black and Grey) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Training for Life Hooded Long Sleeve |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | KMW Logo Tumbler |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Krav Maga Worldwide product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Krav Maga Worldwide delivers a structured self-defense training curriculum across five progressive belt levels, taught through HQ training centers, a worldwide network of licensed schools, and a dedicated Force Training Division serving law enforcement and military. The organization also licenses its brand and curriculum to martial arts schools and certifies individual instructors through a multi-phase program.
Product overview
Krav Maga Worldwide is a self-defense training organization offering a hierarchical portfolio centered on the Krav Maga self-defense system developed by Imi Lichtenfeld. The core offering comprises structured self-defense training across five belt levels (Yellow through Black), supplemented by instructor certification and school licensing programs. The Force Training division serves law enforcement and military clients. Supporting offerings include the online Krav Maga Worldwide Academy, KM Bag fitness classes, Mobility/Yoga recovery programs, and an Intro to Fight sparring curriculum. The company also operates a retail store selling branded merchandise (hoodies, T-shirts, pullovers, tumblers, slides, hats) and produces educational content through a blog and podcast. The November 2024 partnership with The Academic College at Levinsky-Wingate established KMW as the exclusive U.S. provider of instructor training for that institution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Krav Maga Self-Defense Training Program Primary structured self-defense training curriculum based on Imi Lichtenfeld's Krav Maga system, offered across five progressive belt levels (Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown/Black), taught at HQ training centers and licensed schools worldwide.
- Instructor Certification Program Rigorous multi-phase certification program (Phase A, B, C) for individuals seeking to become certified Krav Maga instructors, upheld to the highest standards in the market.
- KMW Licensing Program Licensing program enabling martial arts schools and training centers to officially affiliate with Krav Maga Worldwide and use the brand's official marks, curriculum, training access, and event savings.
- Force Training (Law Enforcement & Military) Professional training division providing tactical self-defense, weapons defense, and combat readiness courses for law enforcement agencies and U.S. military units, having trained over 1,000 law enforcement agencies, hundreds of military units, and 7,500+ instructors.
- Krav Maga Worldwide Academy (Online) Online academy platform enabling individuals to train with certified Krav Maga Worldwide instructors anywhere and anytime through digital classes.
- KMW Signature Hoodie 50% cotton/50% polyester pre-shrunk unisex hoodie with double-lined hood and front pouch pocket, priced at $44.00.
- Kuf Mem Pullover Wind- and rain-resistant polyester Champion packable jacket with embroidered Kuf Mem, hood, priced at $59.00.
- KMW Logo Tumbler 25oz stainless steel tumbler with BPA-free plastic, priced at $29.00.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,000 law enforcement agencies and hundreds of military units trained
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Krav Maga Worldwide
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Krav Maga Worldwide technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Krav Maga Worldwide partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- The Academic College at Levinsky-Wingate (ACLW)coreKrav Maga Worldwide selected as exclusive U.S. partner by The Academic College at Levinsky-Wingate to deliver instructor training courses in the U.S. and globally. Partnership aims to enhance credibility, quality, and international reach of self-defense education.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Krav Maga Worldwide competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Krav Maga Association of America (KMAA): KMAA is the other organization holding a Founder's Diploma from Imi Lichtenfeld, placing it in direct lineage competition with KMW. It licenses schools, certifies instructors, and trains civilians and law enforcement using the same Krav Maga system, making it KMW's closest head-to-head competitor.
- Combat Krav Maga International (CKMI): CKMI is a global Krav Maga organization offering instructor certification and school licensing under a distinct lineage (Gershon Ben-Avraham). Targets the same civilian and law enforcement training segments as KMW with overlapping curriculum claims.
- Israeli Krav Maga (IKM) / Krav Maga Global: Israeli Krav Maga trains and certifies instructors under Haim Gidon's lineage with significant global reach and a strong law enforcement/military vertical. Competes with KMW for both consumer school licensing and Force Training contracts in overlapping geographies.
Emerging players
- Tony Blauer / Blauer Tactical Systems: Blauer Tactical Systems provides defensive tactics and use-of-force training programs to law enforcement and military, with a closely related S.P.E.A.R. System curriculum. Overlaps with KMW's Force Training Division in the police and military procurement market.
- SAFE International: SAFE International delivers self-defense seminars and corporate workshops across North America, overlapping with KMW's enterprise training motion for civilian groups. Smaller scale and seminar-based model, but directly comparable service offering.
- Defensive Tactics Institute (DTI): DTI offers law enforcement and corrections defensive tactics training and instructor certification programs across the U.S. It competes with KMW's Force Training Division for the same procurement budgets and instructor development segments.
Broad incumbents
- Gracie University (Gracie Barra / Gracie Humaita): Gracie University is the largest Jiu-Jitsu certification and school licensing platform, serving a similar consumer/martial arts school licensing model. While grounded in a different discipline, it competes for the same licensee entrepreneur and self-defense student segments.
- American Taekwondo Association (ATA): ATA operates one of the largest martial arts school licensing and instructor certification networks in the U.S. It competes with KMW for entrepreneur-led school licensing customers and offers a comparable belt-progression curriculum framework.
- UFC Gym: UFC Gym is a fitness franchise that incorporates MMA/self-defense programming alongside general fitness, competing with KMW-licensed schools for the same civilian self-defense and conditioning customer wallet share.
Others
- Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA): MAIA is an industry trade body that supports martial arts school operators with business resources, events, and curriculum guidance. Indirectly comparable: it serves the same licensee base KMW relies on, shaping competitive dynamics in the licensed-school market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Krav Maga Worldwide social profiles
Digital presenceKrav Maga Worldwide financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Krav Maga Worldwide leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Krav Maga Worldwide funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Krav Maga Worldwide 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 Krav Maga Worldwide
What does Krav Maga Worldwide do?
Krav Maga Worldwide delivers a structured self-defense training curriculum across five progressive belt levels, taught through HQ training centers, a worldwide network of licensed schools, and a dedicated Force Training Division serving law enforcement and military. The organization also licenses its brand and curriculum to martial arts schools and certifies individual instructors through a multi-phase program.
Is Krav Maga Worldwide a public or private company?
Krav Maga Worldwide is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Krav Maga Worldwide founded?
Krav Maga Worldwide was founded in 1998. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Krav Maga Worldwide based?
Krav Maga Worldwide is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Krav Maga Worldwide make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Licensing Fees are the primary driver. The others are instructor Certification Programs, merchandise Sales, law Enforcement and Military Training and events and Seminars.
Who are Krav Maga Worldwide's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Krav Maga Association of America (KMAA), Combat Krav Maga International (CKMI) and Israeli Krav Maga (IKM) / Krav Maga Global. Emerging players are Tony Blauer / Blauer Tactical Systems, SAFE International and Defensive Tactics Institute (DTI). Broad incumbents are Gracie University (Gracie Barra / Gracie Humaita), American Taekwondo Association (ATA) and UFC Gym. Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) is listed as an others.
Does Krav Maga Worldwide have an API?
No public API is recorded for Krav Maga Worldwide.
What industry is Krav Maga Worldwide in?
Krav Maga Worldwide's product category is Self-Defense Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSADADAE, Reality-Based Self-Defense Programs (Krav Maga, Combatives), with a secondary code of HSADADAI, Law Enforcement / Military / Security Defensive Tactics Training. Its NAICS code is 611620 and its SIC code is 8200.