iversity
iversity is a Berlin-based MOOC and e-learning platform operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH (Springer Nature) that delivers free and paid online courses to professionals, advanced students, and lifelong learners via a multilingual self-serve platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What iversity does
iversity is a Berlin-based learning platform that partners with institutions to deliver MOOCs and paid e-learning courses to professionals, advanced students, and lifelong learners. Founded in 2011, the platform is operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH, a subsidiary of Springer Nature, and provides technical infrastructure for online education including course content delivery, discussion forums, interactive assignment tracking (single choice, multiple choice, free text, learning journals, peer-to-peer assignments), and certificate generation systems (Certificates of Participation and Accomplishment, with optional Certificate Supplements). The product mix comprises free MOOCs with optional paid certificates, premium PRO courses (€99-€299), and shorter Espresso courses (€19-€59).
Revenue is generated through a freemium self-serve model with one-time paid course enrollment (PRO and Espresso), MOOC certificate upgrades (€29-€49), and voucher sales. Distribution is global via iversity.org with multilingual support (English, German, French), social login (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn), and standard payment methods including PayPal, Visa, Sofortüberweisung, giropay, and mint. Course content is supplied through dozens of partnerships with European academic institutions, NGOs, and businesses, while iversity focuses on the technical platform and credentialing infrastructure.
The company differentiates through Springer Nature brand backing, integrated Book + Online Course bundles combining authored book content with multimedia learning, and Certificates of Participation/Accomplishment tied to instructor identity verification and 80% progress thresholds. Operations are based at Berlin and Heidelberg, Germany, with 11-50 employees serving primarily the European market.
iversity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- iversity
- Legal name
- Springer-Verlag GmbH
- Website
- https://iversity.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- iversity is a Berlin-based MOOC and e-learning platform operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH (Springer Nature) that delivers free and paid online courses to professionals, advanced students, and lifelong learners via a multilingual self-serve platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
iversity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Learning Platform
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- MOOC & Open Course Platforms (EDAFAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms (BPAMAJAL), Creator Course Marketplaces (Multi-Instructor Catalogs) (MPACALAA), Course Bundle Subscriptions & Learning Membership Marketplaces (EDAFAIAI)
Keywords
Where iversity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
iversity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Paid Course Enrollment (PRO Courses): PRO courses are paid enrollment options ranging from €99 to €299, including a Certificate of Participation upon completion of required learning progress.
- Espresso Courses: Shorter, knowledge-intensive course options priced between €19 and €59, offering certificates upon completion.
- MOOC Certificate Upgrades: MOOCs are free to enroll, but users can purchase certificates of participation for €29-€49 depending on whether it's for participation only or successful examination.
- Voucher Sales: Sale of vouchers for courses against payment, allowing users to purchase course access as gifts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PRO Courses - Full paid enrollment with certificate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Espresso Courses - Shorter knowledge-intensive courses |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | MOOC Free Enrollment with Certificate Upgrade |
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
iversity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
iversity operates an online learning platform offering free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) along with paid PRO and Espresso self-paced courses. The platform also issues participation and accomplishment certificates, and offers book-plus-online-course bundles in partnership with Springer Nature. The service is operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH out of Berlin, Germany.
Product overview
iversity is an online learning platform operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH (a Springer Nature company) offering three main course types: MOOCs (free with optional paid certificates), PRO Courses (premium paid courses priced 99-299 EUR), and Espresso Courses (shorter courses priced 19-59 EUR). The platform provides certificate offerings including Certificate of Participation, Certificate of Accomplishment, and Certificate Supplements for professional development documentation. Additionally, iversity offers Book + Online Course bundles in partnership with Springer Nature, combining authored book content with multimedia online learning. The platform targets professionals seeking continued education and features discussion forums, user-generated content, and both self-paced and scheduled course formats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)
Companies that use iversity
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
iversity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature4 records
iversity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Springer Naturecoreiversity.org is operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH, a subsidiary of Springer Nature, one of the world's leading academic publishers. Springer Nature provides the institutional backing, brand recognition, and content integration capabilities that power the iversity platform.
- European Academic Institutionscoreiversity has established dozens of partnerships with leading academic institutions across Europe. These institutions provide course content and instructors to the platform, enabling a wide range of academic courses delivered by university professors and researchers.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
iversity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Udacity: Online learning platform focused on technology and professional skill courses including Nanodegree programs. Overlaps with iversity's PRO course offerings targeting professionals seeking career advancement.
- Coursera: One of the largest MOOC platforms globally, partnering with universities and organizations to offer online courses, certificates, and degrees. Directly competes with iversity in the same MOOC and certificate category with overlapping professional learner base.
- edX: Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX offers university-level MOOCs, MicroMasters, and professional certificates. Comparable to iversity in course delivery model, certificate offerings, and academic institution partnerships.
- FutureLearn: UK-based MOOC platform owned by Global University Systems, offering courses from leading European and global universities. Closest geographic and institutional peer to iversity given European academic focus and university partnership model.
- OpenLearn: The Open University's free online learning platform offering courses and badges. Directly comparable to iversity's freemium MOOC model with academic institution backing and certificate pathways.
Emerging players
- Kadenze: Online learning platform partnering with leading universities and institutions to deliver courses in creative arts and technology. Smaller-scale peer to iversity with similar institutional partnership model and certificate-bearing courses.
- Skillshare: Subscription-based online learning community focused on creative and professional skills. Partial overlap with iversity in the professional development segment but with different content verticals (creative vs. academic).
Broad incumbents
- Udemy: Massive online learning marketplace with courses across virtually every subject. A broader incumbent with overlapping paid course model and professional learner base, but with creator-driven rather than institution-anchored content.
- LinkedIn Learning: Subscription-based online learning platform from LinkedIn, focused on professional and business skills. Broader incumbent with stronger distribution through LinkedIn's professional network, overlapping with iversity's professional continuing education segment.
Others
- SPRING Springer Nature Authors Portal: The parent entity's broader academic publishing and author services platform. iversity is integrated within Springer Nature's ecosystem including Book + Online Course bundles, making it a thematically connected ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
iversity social profiles
Digital presenceiversity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
iversity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
iversity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
iversity 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 iversity
What does iversity do?
iversity operates an online learning platform offering free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) along with paid PRO and Espresso self-paced courses. The platform also issues participation and accomplishment certificates, and offers book-plus-online-course bundles in partnership with Springer Nature. The service is operated by Springer-Verlag GmbH out of Berlin, Germany.
Is iversity a public or private company?
iversity is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was iversity founded?
iversity was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is iversity based?
iversity is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does iversity make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Paid Course Enrollment (PRO Courses) is the primary driver. The others are espresso Courses, MOOC Certificate Upgrades and voucher Sales.
Who are iversity's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Udacity, Coursera, edX, FutureLearn and OpenLearn. Emerging players are Kadenze and Skillshare. Broad incumbents are Udemy and LinkedIn Learning. SPRING Springer Nature Authors Portal is listed as an others.
Does iversity have an API?
No public API is recorded for iversity.
What industry is iversity in?
iversity's product category is Online Learning Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAIAA, MOOC & Open Course Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMAJAL, Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.