Certus
Certus is a Peruvian private educational institution operating eight physical campuses across Lima and Arequipa plus a digital learning platform. It delivers employer-co-created technical careers, professional degree programs, and short courses featuring multi-certifications from Cisco, Oracle, AWS, IBM, and ASBANC.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersLima, Peru
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Certus does
Certus, operating through the legal entity Desarrollo Educativo S.A. and founded circa 1997, is a Peruvian private educational institution headquartered in Santiago de Surco, Lima, that delivers technical professional careers, professional degree programs (with bachelor's pathways), and continuing-education short courses. The offering is structured in two licensed entities—IES Privado Certus (instituto level) and EES Privada Certus (escuela level)—alongside the Escuela Certus continuing-education brand, and is currently supported by approximately 501–1,000 employees across an eight-campus physical footprint covering Surco, Ate, Villa El Salvador, San Juan de Lurigancho, Norte, and Callao in Lima, plus Arequipa, with regulatory foundation provided by dual MINEDU licensures (RM N° 617-2023-MINEDU and RM N° 477-2023-MINEDU).
The core product surface combines employer-co-created curricula ("Mallas 100% Co-creadas") with industry-recognized multi-certifications from Cisco (networking), Oracle Academy (databases), ASBANC (8 'Finanzas al Toque' banking credentials), AWS (cloud), IBM (emerging tech), and MiBanco (microfinance employment pathways), plus a UCAL articulation that funnels graduates into a 50%-discount MBA. Delivery infrastructure comprises the Campus Digital LMS (campusdigital.certus.edu.pe) for synchronous and asynchronous classes, the Portal Certus intranet for academic administration, and an online enrollment system with WhatsApp integration using unique CERPIN attention codes. Pricing supports a mass-market B2C entry point (Matrícula GRATIS plus first payment at S/99 ≈ $27 USD), with continuing education sold on one-time-fee terms and corporate training delivered via 'Capacitaciones a Empresas'.
Revenue mechanics are dominated by recurring tuition and enrollment fees across the two academic modalities, augmented by shorter continuing-education courses (2–5 month durations), B2B corporate training, and scholarship-funded channels including Becas BCP and Pronabec/Beca 18. GTM is direct-to-consumer through SEO-optimized website content, WhatsApp Business tracking, and the (01) 20 20 900 call center, with earned-media placement in El Comercio and Trome reinforcing employer-partnership announcements. Customer segments span working professionals, career-development seekers, and post-high-school young adults, with the institution claiming 4 of 10 students receiving job placements between their 1st and 3rd academic cycle and a 72% graduate income premium versus industry averages.
Certus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Certus
- Legal name
- Desarrollo Educativo S.A.
- Website
- https://certus.edu.pe
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Certus is a Peruvian private educational institution operating eight physical campuses across Lima and Arequipa plus a digital learning platform. It delivers employer-co-created technical careers, professional degree programs, and short courses featuring multi-certifications from Cisco, Oracle, AWS, IBM, and ASBANC.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Certus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational and Professional Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)
Keywords
Where Certus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lima
- HQ country
- Peru
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Certus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition payments for technical careers and professional programs. Students pay enrollment fees and monthly tuition (pensiones). Free enrollment is offered as promotional incentive with first payment at S/99.
- Continuing Education Courses: Revenue from short courses, certifications, and specialization programs offered through the Escuela Certus. Courses range from 2-5 months in duration with varying fees.
- Corporate Training: Training services offered to companies under 'Capacitaciones a Empresas' program for workforce development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Free enrollment + S/99 first payment |
| Subscription | Annual | MBA partnership with UCAL |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Certus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Certus is a Peruvian private educational institution that delivers technical professional careers through Instituto Certus and higher-education professional programs through Escuela Certus, complemented by a catalog of short courses, specializations, and corporate training. It offers flexible on-site learning across 8 campuses in Lima and Arequipa plus a virtual Campus Digital platform, with curricula co-created with employers and multi-certifications from partners such as Cisco, Oracle, ASBANC, AWS, and IBM.
Product overview
Certus is a Peruvian private educational institution offering a dual-structure portfolio: Instituto Certus (technical professional careers) and Escuela Certus (professional degree programs with bachelor's pathways). The Instituto provides vocational training in areas including business administration, finance, technology, and creative fields, while the Escuela offers higher education qualifications with articulation to Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de América Latina (UCAL). Complementing the academic programs, Certus offers a comprehensive catalog of short courses and specializations spanning business intelligence tools (Power BI, Excel, Data Analytics), digital marketing (Marketing Digital, Publicidad y Media Ads, Community Manager), technology (Programming, SQL, Web Development), creative tools (Adobe Suite), and professional skills (HR, Logistics, Quality Management, Labor Law, Public Procurement). The institution also provides an LMS platform (Campus Digital) and student intranet (Portal Certus) for hybrid learning delivery. The product portfolio is unified under a 'Modo MAX' value proposition emphasizing multicertifications, international agreements, innovative evaluation systems, and accelerated career completion pathways.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Carreras Técnicas (Instituto Certus)
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates earn 72% more than industry average
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Certus
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Certus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
Feature3 records
Certus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- CiscocoreCisco Networking Academy partnership provides students with technology certifications in networking and IT. Students can earn Cisco credentials alongside their main program, enhancing employability in technology roles.
- Oracle AcademycoreOracle Academy partnership offers database and software technology certifications to students, providing industry-recognized credentials in enterprise software.
- ASBANC (Asociación de Bancos del Perú)corePartnership with Peruvian Banking Association provides 8 'Finanzas al Toque' certifications within the Cajero Financiero y Comercial program. Students receive certifications including Finanzas para empezar, Canales de atención financieros, Finanzas familiares, and others.
- MiBancoflagshipStrategic partnership with MiBanco (microfinance bank) featured in press for synergy between education and financial sector. Focus on student and entrepreneur professional success through certifications and employment pathways.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)flagshipPartnership with AWS to combat shortage of specialized talent through highly demanded certifications. Featured in El Comercio press coverage as strategic collaboration for cloud technology education.
- IBMflagshipStrategic collaboration with IBM to help student employability through certifications in emerging technologies. Featured in El Comercio press coverage as part of Certus's technology education strategy.
- Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de América Latina (UCAL)coreUniversity partnership allows Certus graduates to pursue MBA studies at UCAL with 50% discount within 5 years of graduation. Also part of the economic group for data transfer purposes.
- Escuela Toulouse LautrecminorPart of the same economic group (Desarrollo Educativo S.A.) for cross-promotion and shared resources. Mentioned in privacy policy as affiliated entity.
- Banco de Crédito del Perú (BCP)coreBecas BCP program offers integral scholarships throughout the student's professional career. Featured in student testimonials and marketing materials as accessible education pathway.
- Pronabec (Beca 18)corePronabec scholarship program (Beca 18) support for eligible students, documented in transparency portal and scholarship documents. Government-funded educational access program.
- International Educational Institutions NetworkminorGlobal network of educational institution agreements (shown in logos section) for international recognition and exchange opportunities for students.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Certus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Platzi: Leading LATAM online learning platform covering technology, marketing, business and design. Comparable to Certus's short-course and continuing-education catalog in digital skills, with stronger online distribution and tech-credential brand.
- Crehana: LATAM online education platform specializing in design, marketing and creative technology courses. Comparable to Certus's Publicidad, Community Manager and Diseño Gráfico offerings, with a fully online delivery model.
Direct peers
- TECSUP: Peruvian technical institute focused on industrial, technology and engineering careers. Comparable to Certus's Instituto portfolio in technology and systems administration, with similar employer-aligned curricula and dual-campus model.
- Cibertec: Peruvian private institution offering technical careers and continuing education with strong employer partnerships. Closely comparable to Certus in product mix (carreras técnicas + cursos), target learner (working adults in Lima) and employer-led certification model.
- IDAT: Lima-based technical education institution offering carreras técnicas and continuing courses. Directly competes with Certus on technical careers, online modality and short-course catalog in digital marketing, design and technology.
- Instituto Peruano de Administración (IPA): Peruvian business education institution offering professional programs in administration, finance and marketing. Overlaps with Certus's business/finance carrera portfolio and continuing education catalog.
- Zegel: Peruvian private institute (part of Laureate network historically) offering technical and business careers. Comparable to Certus on carreras técnicas in business administration, accounting and technology for working-adult segments.
Broad incumbents
- Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with top universities and companies. Comparable to Certus's multicertificación value prop (Cisco, Google, AWS certifications) but at a global scale, and a structural competitor in online continuing education.
- SENATI: Peru's largest technical training institution, financed through employer payroll contributions. Competes directly with Certus for technical career students but with a subsidized cost structure that pressures private pricing.
Regional players
- Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de América Latina (UCAL): Peruvian university offering bachelor's and graduate degrees; already a strategic partner of Certus for the 50% MBA articulation pathway. Comparable in higher-education credentials and Peruvian market positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Certus social profiles
Digital presenceCertus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Certus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Certus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Certus 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 Certus
What does Certus do?
Certus is a Peruvian private educational institution that delivers technical professional careers through Instituto Certus and higher-education professional programs through Escuela Certus, complemented by a catalog of short courses, specializations, and corporate training. It offers flexible on-site learning across 8 campuses in Lima and Arequipa plus a virtual Campus Digital platform, with curricula co-created with employers and multi-certifications from partners such as Cisco, Oracle, ASBANC, AWS, and IBM.
Is Certus a public or private company?
Certus is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Certus founded?
Certus was founded in 1997. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Certus based?
Certus is headquartered in Lima, Peru, in the Latin America region.
How does Certus make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Enrollment Fees are the primary driver. The others are continuing Education Courses and corporate Training.
Who are Certus's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Platzi and Crehana. Direct peers are TECSUP, Cibertec, IDAT, Instituto Peruano de Administración (IPA) and Zegel. Broad incumbents are Coursera and SENATI. Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de América Latina (UCAL) is listed as a regional player.
Does Certus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Certus.
What industry is Certus in?
Certus's product category is Vocational and Professional Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAANAD, Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications, with a secondary code of EDAAALAJ, Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE). Its NAICS code is 61131 and its SIC code is 8200.