Obsidian Learning
Obsidian Learning is a Houston-based custom eLearning development firm founded in 1998 that designs interactive learning programs, blended solutions, video, and learning portals for enterprise clients in oil & gas, energy, healthcare, retail, and technology. Its services support industry standards (SCORM, xAPI, cmi5, HTML5) and proprietary methodologies (IDEA, Distributed Learning), sold via direct enterprise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Obsidian Learning does
Obsidian Learning is a Houston, Texas-based custom eLearning content development company founded in 1998. It designs and produces interactive learning programs for enterprise clients, with stated service lines covering custom eLearning development, virtual learning (VILT/webinars), blended learning programs, video learning (including motion graphics), learning portals, mobile learning, performance support tools, instructor-led training, microlearning, and a discrete Flash-to-HTML5 conversion offering. The company serves primarily large enterprise clients across verticals including oil & gas (Schlumberger, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil, Anadarko, Hess, Noble Drilling, Weatherford, Landmark, Technip, Intecsea, Oxy), energy (Fluor, Direct Energy, ABB), technology (Google), retail (Home Depot, Dacor), healthcare (Memorial Hermann), manufacturing (Lenze), and environmental services (Waste Management), and holds a GSA Schedule Contract (GS-00F-376GA) enabling federal procurement access.
The company's technology foundation relies on industry-standard authoring and delivery formats rather than proprietary platforms: HTML5, SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5 compliance, plus expertise across multiple commercial and open-source authoring tools. Its differentiating IP is methodological rather than technical, comprising two branded frameworks: the IDEA Model (integrating cognition, emotion, and social learning into instructional design) and the Distributed Learning Model (research-based framework for spreading learning across time and inexpensive delivery technologies). The firm has been recognized by eLearning Industry as a top custom content development company annually from 2016 through 2020 across multiple categories.
The business model is project-based, quote-driven professional services sold via direct enterprise engagement. Pricing is opaque except for the entry-level Flash-to-HTML5 conversion service at $3,000 per 45-minute course; larger custom programs are individually scoped. The go-to-market relies on direct sales (website contact form, email, phone), peer-generated leads via industry awards and word-of-mouth, content marketing through blog and white papers, and social channels (LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter). Customer concentration is heavily skewed toward long-tenured enterprise accounts, with no self-service, productized, or platform-based recurring revenue stream evidenced in the sources.
Obsidian Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Obsidian Learning
- Legal name
- Obsidian Learning
- Website
- https://obsidianlearning.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Obsidian Learning is a Houston-based custom eLearning development firm founded in 1998 that designs interactive learning programs, blended solutions, video, and learning portals for enterprise clients in oil & gas, energy, healthcare, retail, and technology. Its services support industry standards (SCORM, xAPI, cmi5, HTML5) and proprietary methodologies (IDEA, Distributed Learning), sold via direct enterprise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Obsidian Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom eLearning Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Higher Education Course Design & Online Program Development (EDAGAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs (EDAGAEAG), Interactive Learning Games & Gamified Courseware (EDAGALAL), Game-Based Learning & Gamification Authoring (EDAFAHAF), Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) & Learning Portals (EDAFAAAB)
Keywords
Where Obsidian Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Obsidian Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom eLearning Development: Project-based custom eLearning development services including virtual learning, blended learning, video learning, learning portals, authoring tools support, and Flash to HTML5 conversion. Revenue is generated through individual project contracts with enterprise clients.
- Flash to HTML5 Conversion Services: Migration and update services for legacy Flash eLearning content to modern HTML5 standards. Project-based pricing starting at $3000 for 45-minute course conversions.
- Remote Facilitated Learning: Conversion of instructor-led training to virtual instructor-led training (VILT) and webinar formats.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flash to HTML5 conversion starting price |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Obsidian Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Obsidian Learning is a custom eLearning development firm that designs and builds digital learning experiences for enterprise clients. Its offerings include custom courseware, virtual instructor-led training (VILT), blended learning programs, video learning, mobile learning, learning portals, microlearning, performance support tools, and Flash-to-HTML5 conversion. The company also applies proprietary methodologies (IDEA Model and Distributed Learning Model) to structure learning engagements for corporate audiences.
Product overview
Obsidian Learning is a custom eLearning development company offering a comprehensive suite of learning solutions. Their core offerings include Custom eLearning Development, Virtual Learning, Blended Learning Programs, Video Learning (motion graphics), Learning Portals, Remote Facilitated Learning, and Flash to HTML5 Conversion. They support their offerings with Authoring Tools expertise, Mobile Learning capabilities, and Performance Support Tools. The company employs proprietary methodologies including the IDEA Model (cognition, emotion, and social learning) and a Distributed Learning Model. All content supports industry standards including SCORM, xAPI, and cmi5. They also offer white papers on blended learning, video for engagement, xAPI/cmi5 standards, and instructional design for accessibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom eLearning Development
- Flash to HTML5 Conversion
- Virtual Learning (VILT)
- Blended Learning Programs
- Video Learning
- Mobile Learning
- Learning Portals
- Performance Support Tools
- Microlearning
- Authoring Tools Support
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% completion rate for cybersecurity microlearning series (up from 7% with previous generic training)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Obsidian Learning
Customer profileNamed customers26 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Obsidian Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Obsidian Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Obsidian Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Allen Interactions: Custom eLearning design and development studio specializing in interactive, scenario-based learning experiences for enterprise L&D; directly comparable service model and client profile.
- Float Mobile Learning: Mobile and custom learning design studio producing interactive eLearning and performance support for enterprise; overlaps Obsidian in mobile learning and microlearning specializations.
- Bottom-Line Performance: Custom learning solutions company developing eLearning, gamification, and performance support for enterprise customers; similar size, services mix, and target buyer.
- ELB Learning: Provider of custom eLearning content development, templates, and learning resources serving enterprise L&D teams; comparable custom content focus with an additional productized content library.
- SweetRush: Custom eLearning content development firm serving Fortune 500 enterprise clients with similar blended, gamified, and immersive learning solutions; closest like-for-like comparable in size and offerings.
- Designing Digitally: Custom eLearning solutions provider offering serious games, simulations, and mobile learning to enterprise and government clients; matches Obsidian's modality breadth and project-based delivery.
Emerging players
- The Game Agency: Gamification and game-based learning specialist for corporate training; partial overlap with Obsidian's gamification award-winning work but with a more focused niche.
Broad incumbents
- DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership development and corporate training company with significant custom content development capabilities; competes for leadership development budgets in enterprise accounts.
- Learning Pool: Enterprise LMS and custom learning content provider serving regulated industries; overlaps on custom content and learning portals but bundles a SaaS platform Obsidian lacks.
- GP Strategies (now GP TransCo): Large, publicly-traded performance improvement and custom learning solutions provider with global delivery capacity; competes for the same enterprise L&D RFPs at greater scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Obsidian Learning social profiles
Digital presenceObsidian Learning compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Obsidian Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Obsidian Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Obsidian Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Obsidian Learning 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 Obsidian Learning
What does Obsidian Learning do?
Obsidian Learning is a custom eLearning development firm that designs and builds digital learning experiences for enterprise clients. Its offerings include custom courseware, virtual instructor-led training (VILT), blended learning programs, video learning, mobile learning, learning portals, microlearning, performance support tools, and Flash-to-HTML5 conversion. The company also applies proprietary methodologies (IDEA Model and Distributed Learning Model) to structure learning engagements for corporate audiences.
Is Obsidian Learning a public or private company?
Obsidian Learning is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Obsidian Learning founded?
Obsidian Learning was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Obsidian Learning based?
Obsidian Learning is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Obsidian Learning make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom eLearning Development is the primary driver. The others are flash to HTML5 Conversion Services and remote Facilitated Learning.
Who are Obsidian Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Allen Interactions, Float Mobile Learning, Bottom-Line Performance, ELB Learning, SweetRush and Designing Digitally. The Game Agency is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are DDI (Development Dimensions International), Learning Pool and GP Strategies (now GP TransCo).
Does Obsidian Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Obsidian Learning.
What industry is Obsidian Learning in?
Obsidian Learning's product category is Custom eLearning Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAKAB, Higher Education Course Design & Online Program Development, with a secondary code of EDAGAEAG, Simulation-Based Learning & Virtual Labs. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.