CAVU
CAVU International is a Virginia Beach-based leadership, safety, and human performance training firm serving high-hazard industries via its Leadership PRO online platform, the TOPGUN-inspired HPI certification, and embedded on-site coaching delivered by former senior military leaders to enterprise clients in oil and gas, manufacturing, ports, renewables, and law enforcement.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersVirginia Beach, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CAVU does
CAVU International LLC is a Virginia Beach-based professional services and training firm founded in 2015 that delivers leadership, safety, and human performance programs to high-hazard industries. Since 2022 it has operated as The RelyOn Leadership Academy within the RelyOn group. Its offerings center on the Leadership PRO online learning platform (80+ videos, 13+ hours across Leadership Fundamentals, Continuous Improvement, and Team Resource Management), the five-day in-person Human Performance Instructor (HPI) course modeled on the Navy's TOPGUN program, the newly launched Executive Presence course for senior leaders, and on-site coaching engagements that embed former military leaders with client teams for extended periods.
The company's competitive proposition is built on a talent moat: coaches are retired Navy commanders, TOPGUN graduates, test pilots, and a former Rear Admiral, collectively contributing 200+ years of senior military leadership experience. Proprietary methodology includes a Continuous Improvement Model and a Crew Resource Management framework covering six soft skills (Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Situational Awareness, Decision Making, Human Factors). The underlying technology is a subscription-based online course platform with mobile access, supplemented by an exclusive partnership with Pocketalk for real-time translation during global delivery.
CAVU generates revenue through a hybrid model: annual subscriptions to the Leadership PRO bundle and individual courses, plus professional services fees for on-site coaching engagements and the HPI certification. Pricing is subscription-based online and quote-based for enterprise coaching. Named enterprise customers span oil and gas (ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, Halliburton, Transocean, Valaris, Hess, XTO Energy, Wintershall Dea, Woodside Energy), manufacturing (Alpek, TEAM Inc.), ports (Port Houston), and law enforcement (Orlando PD, Fairfax County PD Helicopter Division), with a multi-year Shell contract signed in February 2026. The company maintains owned offices in Virginia Beach, Houston, Tulsa, and Frankfurt plus partner locations across Stavanger, Aberdeen, Townsville, Lagos, and Denver, and reports more than 10,000 clients trained through Leadership PRO.
CAVU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAVU
- Legal name
- CAVU International LLC
- Website
- https://cavu-intl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CAVU International is a Virginia Beach-based leadership, safety, and human performance training firm serving high-hazard industries via its Leadership PRO online platform, the TOPGUN-inspired HPI certification, and embedded on-site coaching delivered by former senior military leaders to enterprise clients in oil and gas, manufacturing, ports, renewables, and law enforcement.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAVU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Training and Leadership Development Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)
Keywords
Where CAVU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Virginia Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
CAVU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Online Course Subscriptions: Leadership PRO is offered as a subscription-based online course with 12-month subscription model. The bundle provides access to all courses (80+ videos, 13+ hours) with heavily discounted rates beyond the first year. Individual course purchases are also available.
- Professional Coaching Services: On-site coaching and training engagements where CAVU coaches embed with client organizations for extended periods to deliver leadership, safety, and performance training. Engagements range from workshops to multi-week embedded coaching programs.
- Human Performance Instructor Certification: Five-day intensive in-person certification course held at CAVU Center of Excellence in Virginia Beach, or delivered at client facilities. Includes ongoing alumni benefits and discounted subscription renewals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Leadership PRO Course Bundle - Access to all courses including Leadership Fundamentals, Continuous Improvement, Team Resource Management, and Process Safety Mini Course |
| Subscription | Annual | Leadership Fundamentals Course - 39 videos, 6+ hours covering leadership vs management, traits/principles, styles, delegation, goal setting, difficult conversations, communication, mentoring |
| Subscription | Annual | Continuous Improvement Course - 20+ videos, 3 hours covering Prepare/Plan, Communicate/Act, Debrief/Review, Capture/Improve |
| Subscription | Annual | Team Resource Management Course - 18 videos covering Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Situational Awareness, Decision Making, Human Factors |
| Subscription | Annual | Process Safety Mini Course - 6 videos, 1 hour covering Process Safety case studies, overview, culture development, Bow-Tie Analysis, Operational Risk Management |
| Subscription | Annual | Executive Presence Course - Advanced leadership course for senior leaders covering communication, stress leadership, strategic communication, and executive traits |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
CAVU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAVU provides leadership development, human performance, and safety training services for high-hazard industries, delivering military-derived methodologies through on-site embedded coaching, in-person certification courses (Human Performance Instructor), and a subscription-based online learning platform (Leadership PRO). Core engagements span Crew Resource Management (CRM), continuous improvement, and executive leadership development for enterprise clients in oil and gas, manufacturing, ports, renewables, maritime, and law enforcement.
Product overview
CAVU offers a training and coaching services portfolio primarily focused on high-hazard, high-consequence industries. The core offerings center on Leadership PRO, an on-demand online leadership development system launched in 2020 with 80+ videos across three pillars: Leadership Fundamentals, Continuous Improvement, and Team Resource Management. The product line extends through the Human Performance Instructor (HPI) Course—a five-day in-person TOPGUN-inspired program—and the newly launched Executive Presence course for senior executives. Additional offerings include the Scar Tissue Podcast and on-site coaching/embedded training services. The company was founded in 2015 and rebranded to CAVU, The RelyOn Leadership Academy by 2025, with strategic partnerships for specialized training delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Leadership PRO: Comprehensive on-demand leadership development course with 80+ videos covering Leadership Fundamentals, Continuous Improvement, and Team Resource Management.
- Human Performance Instructor (HPI) Course
- Scar Tissue Podcast
- CAVU International LLC
Products and services
- Leadership PRO On-demand online leadership development system with 80+ videos and 13+ hours of content covering Leadership Fundamentals, Continuous Improvement, and Team Resource Management. Mentored by former TOPGUN instructors, Nuclear Submarine Commanders, Blue Angels, and Aircraft Carrier Commanders.
- Human Performance Instructor (HPI) Course Five-day in-person certification course modeled after the Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (TOPGUN). Creates Human Performance subject matter experts within organizations. Prerequisite: completion of Leadership PRO Online Course. Held at CAVU Center of Excellence in Virginia Beach, Virginia, or at client facilities. Includes HPI Foundations, HPI Skills, HPI Tools, and student exercises.
- Executive Presence Course Next-level leadership course built for senior leaders and executives. Covers Executive Leadership Differentiators, Leadership Principles (Visible Leadership, Servant Leadership, Building Trust, Stewardship, Delegation), Leadership Traits (Integrity, Level of Knowledge, Humility and Empathy, Courage, Composure, Loyalty), Grand Design (Mission/Vision/Values, Organizational Goals, Merlin Factor, Leadership KPIs), and Strategic Communication.
- On-Site Coaching and Training Services Hands-on, practical training led by coaches with military backgrounds. Includes tailored seminars, workshops, roundtables, and embedded coaching for high-consequence teams. Coaches travel to client locations and embed with organizations for extended periods to drive cultural transformation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 700+ days of safe, efficient performance in Banyu Urip drilling operations
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use CAVU
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CAVU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
CAVU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ShellcoreCAVU, The RelyOn Leadership Academy, signed a multi-year contract with Shell to provide leadership and coaching support within its Assist & Assure (A&A) program. This is a significant enterprise contract for ongoing coaching services.
- PocketalkcoreExclusive partnership to embed real-time translation into CAVU's leadership and safety training worldwide. CAVU was honored with Pocketalk's Leadership in Language Award in recognition of this partnership. The Pocketalk device enables real-time translation to support CAVU's global training delivery across language barriers.
- PetroSkillsminorExclusive webinar partnership with PetroSkills to explore how human factors unlock true safety and performance in high-risk industries. Featuring Rear Admiral Dell Bull exploring team performance topics.
- Aberdeen Drilling International (ADI)coreTwo RelyOn Academies, ADI and CAVU, collaborated to provide and deliver an innovative Well Operations Crew Resource Management training program. ADI provided simulator expertise while CAVU contributed CRM training, ensuring seamless integration and improved crew performance. Delivered six two-day seminars in Stavanger, Norway.
- RelyOncoreCAVU is part of RelyOn, The Leadership Academy. RelyOn is CAVU's parent company. CAVU operates as a leadership academy within the RelyOn organization, sharing space at events like ADIPEC 2025, OEEC25, and OTD Energy 2025. Partnership enables integrated leadership, human performance, and technical training offerings.
- CMI (Chartered Management Institute)minorCAVU offers a CMI-registered programme anchored by the Leadership PRO online course, enabling government-funded leadership excellence. February-March 2026 delivery with completion by end of March to align with funding windows.
- Amberdeen/Aberdeen DrillingminorListed as a strategic partner for integration of world class services, systems and software. Aberdeen Drilling provides complementary drilling school expertise.
- Safety CultureminorListed as a strategic partner for integration of world class services. WMR Group's Safety Culture platform integration.
- The Maher GroupminorListed as a strategic partner for integration of world class services, systems and software in CAVU's complete training portfolio.
- OFS (ofserv.com)minorListed as a strategic partner for integration of world class services, systems and software.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CAVU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BTS: BTS is a global consultancy specializing in leadership development, business strategy simulation, and sales force effectiveness for Fortune 500 clients. It is directly comparable to CAVU in its B2B enterprise model, focus on experiential leadership training, and use of high-engagement workshops, though BTS is broader and bigger, while CAVU's vertical specialization is high-hazard industries.
- FranklinCovey: FranklinCovey is a publicly-traded leadership and organizational performance training firm selling content-driven programs (e.g., The 7 Habits) to enterprises. Comparable to CAVU's Leadership PRO subscription product and enterprise training delivery model, though CAVU's niche is military-grade high-consequence environments rather than general management.
- Development Dimensions International (DDI): DDI is a leadership and talent management consultancy delivering assessment-driven leadership development programs to global enterprises. It mirrors CAVU's enterprise sales motion and focus on behavioral/leadership skill-building, with a broader scope and larger scale.
- Crucial Learning: Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts) is a leadership and communication training company offering courses on influence, difficult conversations, and change management. Comparable to CAVU's Team Resource Management content pillars and B2B subscription model, with a less verticalized go-to-market.
- dss+: dss+ (formerly DuPont Sustainable Solutions) is an operational excellence and safety consulting firm serving heavy industry and high-hazard operators. Closest functional peer to CAVU's on-site embedded coaching and process safety work in oil & gas, chemicals, and manufacturing, with comparable customer logos and outcome-based engagement model.
- BST (Behavioral Science Technology): BST is a safety culture and human performance consultancy serving energy, mining, and manufacturing clients globally. Direct peer to CAVU on the process safety and human factors side, with similar Crew Resource Management heritage and measurable safety outcome orientation.
- Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): CCL is a top-ranked global leadership development provider delivering executive education, coaching, and research. Comparable to CAVU on the senior leader development side (CAVU's Executive Presence course parallels CCL's executive programs) but with a much broader research-based portfolio.
- RelyOn (Parent Company): RelyOn is CAVU's parent company and the broader technical training and workforce competency platform to which CAVU contributes leadership content. Most directly comparable as a sister entity offering integrated safety, technical, and leadership training to the same high-hazard industry customers.
Broad incumbents
- Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with significant leadership development, executive coaching, and talent management practices. A broad incumbent offering overlapping capabilities with CAVU as part of a much wider portfolio including executive search and HR consulting.
- Gallup: Gallup is a global analytics and advisory firm best known for employee engagement research and Strengths-Based leadership development. Comparable to CAVU's data-driven leadership training and executive coaching services, operating at much larger scale across all industries.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CAVU social profiles
Digital presenceCAVU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAVU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
CAVU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAVU 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 CAVU
What does CAVU do?
CAVU provides leadership development, human performance, and safety training services for high-hazard industries, delivering military-derived methodologies through on-site embedded coaching, in-person certification courses (Human Performance Instructor), and a subscription-based online learning platform (Leadership PRO). Core engagements span Crew Resource Management (CRM), continuous improvement, and executive leadership development for enterprise clients in oil and gas, manufacturing, ports, renewables, maritime, and law enforcement.
Is CAVU a public or private company?
CAVU is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CAVU founded?
CAVU was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CAVU based?
CAVU is headquartered in Virginia Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does CAVU make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Online Course Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are professional Coaching Services and human Performance Instructor Certification.
Who are CAVU's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BTS, FranklinCovey, Development Dimensions International (DDI), Crucial Learning, dss+, BST (Behavioral Science Technology), Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) and RelyOn (Parent Company). Broad incumbents are Korn Ferry and Gallup.
Does CAVU have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAVU.
What industry is CAVU in?
CAVU's product category is Professional Training and Leadership Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAALAO, Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE), with a secondary code of EDAAALAF, Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD). Its NAICS code is 611430.