Krav Maga Worldwide

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.

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

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

• Self defense training
• Martial arts instruction
• Instructor certification
• School licensing
• Law enforcement training

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Instructor Certification Programs: Rigorous instructor certification programs for individuals wanting to become certified Krav Maga instructors. Programs involve training and evaluation processes.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• The Academic College at Levinsky-Wingate (ACLW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025Krav 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

Direct 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

• Instagraminstagram.com/kravmaganetwork
• Xx.com/KMWKravMaga
• Facebookfacebook.com/KravMagaWorldwideInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/krav-maga-worldwide-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Krav Maga Worldwide