HeatSpring

What HeatSpring does

HeatSpring is a privately held, Certified B Corporation founded in 2007 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that operates a specialized online learning and certification platform for the clean energy and high-performance building workforce. The platform delivers asynchronous, video-based courses, discussion boards, practice exams, and certificate generation across at least nine credentialing categories, including NABCEP solar PV, IGSHPA geothermal, BPI building performance, EPA Section 608, OSHA construction safety, FAA Part 107 drone, NFPA electrical safety, LEED green building, and general electrician pre-apprenticeships. Courses range from free introductory modules (e.g., Introduction to Solar PV, with 14,633 enrolled students) to premium $1,795-$2,695 bundles such as the Solar Finance Professional Masters Series, and the company also sells multi-course construction bundles such as HeatSpring CORE (24 courses for $1,656).

The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining one-time course sales, course bundles, two subscription tiers (HeatSpring PRO and HeatSpring Membership), and team/enterprise accounts (HeatSpring for Teams) with group discounts of 20-40% and a REST API for HR and LMS integration. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via heatspring.com and an iOS app for enrolled students, with payment facilitated by Klarna installment plans and financial aid. Customer evidence shows deep penetration in solar: 65% of Solar Power World's Top Contractors use HeatSpring, named enterprise customers include Nexamp, Namaste Solar, Dandelion Energy, NREL, and Primoris, and outcome metrics include 88%+ pass rates on the NABCEP PV Associate exam and a 100% reported pass rate for FAA Part 107.

The platform's competitive positioning rests on registered-provider status with multiple credentialing bodies, expert instructors (e.g., Sean White, Ryan Carda, Keven Gambold), and recent product investments in a Learning Paths-enabled account dashboard (Summer 2025), an iOS app (2025), and an enterprise API, culminating in the designation as Official PVA Training Partner for the 2026 NABCEP Conference. The company maintains a very lean operating model with 1-10 employees and has not disclosed any external funding rounds.

Name

HeatSpring

Legal name

HeatSpring

Website

https://heatspring.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HeatSpring is an online learning and certification platform serving clean energy and high-performance building professionals, offering NABCEP, IGSHPA, BPI, EPA, OSHA, FAA, and NFPA credential prep through self-paced courses, bundles, PRO/Membership subscriptions, and team accounts, with strong penetration among top US solar contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Course Sales: One-time payment for individual courses ranging from free to $1,795. Includes access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment with certificate of completion upon completion.
2. Course Bundles: Multi-course bundles (2-24 courses) offered at discounted package pricing. Examples: Solar Finance Masters Series at $2,695, HeatSpring CORE 24-course bundle at $1,656.
3. HeatSpring PRO Subscription: Single subscription providing access to PRO courses worth $2,000+, with additional benefits including discounts and exclusive content.
4. HeatSpring Membership: Subscription that extends access to all past course enrollments and includes access to any instructor updates to course materials.
5. Team/Enterprise Licensing: Team accounts with group pricing (20-40% off retail), API access for data integration, and admin dashboard for tracking employee learning.
6. Payment Plan (Klarna): Installment payment plans offered at checkout, including 4-payment plan and longer-term financing options through Klarna.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HeatSpring operates an online learning and development platform that sells professional certification prep courses and training bundles for clean energy professionals. The catalog spans NABCEP solar PV certifications, IGSHPA geothermal, EPA heat pump credentials, OSHA construction safety, FAA Part 107 drone pilot licensing, and BPI building performance, delivered via self-paced video courses, discussion boards, and instructor-led sessions. The platform serves both individual learners (one-time course purchases, PRO subscription) and enterprise teams (HeatSpring for Teams with group discounts, admin dashboard, and REST API for data integration).

Product overview

HeatSpring is a learning and development platform for clean energy teams, offering a portfolio of professional certification prep courses, training bundles, and workforce solutions. The core offering includes NABCEP solar certifications, solar finance training (Solar Executive MBA and Financial Modeling courses), drone pilot licensing (FAA Part 107), geothermal certification (IGSHPA), EPA heat pump credentials, and OSHA safety training. HeatSpring PRO provides subscription access to premium courses. HeatSpring CORE delivers a 24-course construction training bundle, while HeatSpring for Teams serves enterprise customers with group discounts and API integration. The platform positions itself as the Official PVA Training Partner for NABCEP and is utilized by 65% of Solar Power World's Top Contractors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HeatSpring PRO Premium subscription membership providing single-price access to $2,000+ worth of premium courses, including Financial Modeling for Solar PV Projects with Skilled Sales PRO badge, plus discounts and exclusive PRO content for clean energy professionals.
• HeatSpring API REST API for enterprise team accounts that enables integration of course enrollments, learning progress (percentage of completion), and certificates of completion and CEUs into existing HR, LMS, and enterprise reporting systems.
• NABCEP Solar PV Certification Prep Comprehensive certification preparation program for NABCEP credentials including PV Associate, PV Installation Professional (PVIP), PV Inspector, Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS), and Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP). Approved NABCEP Registered Provider offering Advanced Credit Hours, JTA, RE Elective, and PV Associate Renewal CEUs.
• Solar PV Boot Camp + NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep Introductory 18-24 hour training course for contractors, electricians, and business professionals entering the solar PV industry. Includes exam pass guarantee with 88%+ pass rate and free course/ exam retake if students fail. Priced at $895.
• Solar Finance Professional Masters Series Two-course bundle including Solar Executive MBA Training (business skills for commercial solar project financing) and Financial Modeling for Solar PV Projects (hands-on quarterly modeling including partnership flip structures). 35-50 hours duration, $2,695. Co-taught by Chris Lord and Keith Cronin.
• FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot Training Complete drone pilot licensing program including the Drone Pilot Boot Camp for renewable energy, construction, and engineering professionals, and FAA Part 107 Practice Test. Lead instructor is Keven Gambold, CEO of Unmanned Experts Inc., a former RAF combat pilot. Includes 100% passing rate guarantee with free retake.
• IGSHPA Geothermal Certification Geothermal certification program offered in partnership with IGSHPA covering Geothermal Residential Installation Technician (GRIT) and Geothermal Residential Service Technician (GRST) credentials. Instructor Ryan Carda, CTO of Midwest Geothermal, serves on the IGSHPA Board of Directors. $300 course fee plus exam fee ($100 for IGSHPA members, $200 for non-members).
• EPA Section 608 Heat Pump Certification EPA Section 608 Technician Certification and Low GWP Refrigerant Safety (A2L) training for technicians working with refrigerants under Clean Air Act regulations. Also includes the EPA Energy-Skilled Recognized credential from the Department of Energy.
• OSHA Safety Training OSHA Outreach Training portfolio including 10-Hour and 30-Hour Construction courses, Competent Person Fall Protection, Forklift Certification, Telehandler Safety, HAZWOPER, National Flagger Certification, and more. Delivered through partnership with OSHA Education Center, which has been providing OSHA training since 2012.
• BPI Building Performance Certification Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification preparation courses and credentials for energy auditors and building science professionals working in residential and commercial energy efficiency.
• HeatSpring CORE: Comprehensive Construction Training Program 24-course bundle providing 144 hours of universal first-year construction training. Includes OSHA certifications, equipment certifications (forklift, telehandler), technical skills, and professional development. Modeled after NCCER CORE with safety-first approach. Instructors include Tripper Gawan, Jenny Conrardy, and others. Priced at $1,656 for 24 courses.
• HeatSpring for Teams Enterprise team learning management solution for clean energy workforce development. Includes group discounts (20-40% off retail), team admin dashboard for tracking employee learning, REST API access for training data integration, and customized workforce development programs. 65% of Solar Power World's Top Contractors use HeatSpring for employee training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88%+ of HeatSpring students pass the NABCEP PV Associate Exam
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeatSpring is an education provider partnered with IGSHPA to offer CEUs and certification courses for geothermal professionals. Partnership includes GRIT (Geothermal Residential Installation Technician) and GRST (Geothermal Residential Service Technician) certification programs. HeatSpring instructor Ryan Carda serves on the IGSHPA Board of Directors.
• OSHA Education CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHeatSpring partners with OSHA Education Center to deliver 10-Hour and 30-Hour OSHA Outreach training, including Spanish-language courses. OSHA Education Center has been delivering OSHA training since 2012.
• University of South FloridacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOSHA Outreach courses are provided in partnership with the University of South Florida, an OSHA-authorized online Outreach training provider. USF develops course content for OSHA 30-Hour Construction included in HeatSpring CORE program.
• NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeatSpring is a NABCEP Registered Provider offering courses approved for NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours, JTA, RE Elective, and PV Associate Renewal CEUs. Named Official PVA Training Partner for the 2026 NABCEP Conference. Many courses count toward NABCEP certification exam eligibility requirements.
• KlarnasupportingOthersKlarna provides installment payment plan options (4-payment plan and longer-term financing) at checkout, enabling students to pay for courses over time rather than upfront.
• Unmanned Experts Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationKeven Gambold, co-founder and CEO of Unmanned Experts Inc., serves as lead instructor for HeatSpring's drone pilot courses including Drone Pilot Boot Camp. Unmanned Experts provides industry expertise and flight operations curriculum.
• Midwest GeothermalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyan Carda, CTO of Midwest Geothermal (one of the largest national installers of commercial-scale ground heat exchangers), serves as instructor for IGSHPA geothermal courses and co-developed the GRIT certification curriculum.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Solar Energy International (SEI): SEI is one of the most established NABCEP-aligned solar and renewable energy training providers, offering online and in-person courses. It directly competes with HeatSpring in solar PV installer certification and workforce development.
• Everblue: Everblue offers online exam prep and continuing education for NABCEP, BPI, and LEED credentials. It targets the same individual learner and corporate trainee segments as HeatSpring with a comparable online course catalog.

Emerging players

• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): IREC is a clean energy workforce and credentialing organization that develops training frameworks and partners with training providers. It is adjacent to HeatSpring as a credentialing ecosystem player rather than a direct LMS competitor.
• UAS Thermal Imaging / Drone U: Drone U and similar drone training providers offer FAA Part 107 prep with a renewable energy and inspection angle. They overlap HeatSpring's drone pilot vertical but focus more heavily on commercial drone operators broadly.

Broad incumbents

• 360training.com: 360training is a large online workforce training marketplace covering OSHA, environmental, and skilled trades compliance. It overlaps with HeatSpring in OSHA construction safety and adjacent skilled trades certification prep at much greater scale.
• ClickSafety: ClickSafety is an established online OSHA and construction safety training provider serving enterprise and individual learners. It competes directly with HeatSpring's OSHA Outreach catalog and corporate training programs.
• Coursera: Coursera is a broad online learning marketplace with enterprise team plans and a growing energy/sustainability catalog. It is a comparable consumer and enterprise online learning platform, though less specialized in trade certification prep.
• Udemy: Udemy operates a marketplace of expert-led video courses across trades, energy, and technical fields. While much broader and lower-priced than HeatSpring, it overlaps as a destination for self-paced professional upskilling.
• LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning is an enterprise-leaning online learning platform bundled with LinkedIn Premium. It competes for the same B2B workforce development budget HeatSpring targets via HeatSpring for Teams.

Others

• Building Performance Institute (BPI): BPI is the credentialing body for building performance and energy auditor certifications whose prep courses HeatSpring sells. It is an ecosystem partner/standards-setter rather than a direct training competitor.

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heatspring
• Xx.com/heatspring
• Facebookfacebook.com/heatspring

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 HeatSpring