Institución de Educación Superior

What Institución de Educación Superior does

ICSEF (Institución de Educación Superior) is a private Colombian higher education institution founded in 1971 and headquartered on a rural campus (Finca Torreblanca, Vereda Usatama) in Fusagasugá, Cundinamarca, with a Bogotá administrative office. It delivers five SNIES-registered academic programs in gastronomy and hotel management structured as propaedeutic cycles (technical, technological, and professional levels), all built around the proprietary ApHI (Aprende Haciendo en ICSEF) pedagogical model that combines classroom theory with practice in kitchens, laboratories, and on-campus productive units, inspired by the Swiss dual formation system. The institution serves approximately 300 women students, primarily first-generation rural Colombian women in geographic, economic, and social vulnerability, supported by 40+ national and several international practice agreements (Four Seasons Casa Medina, Cadena GHL, Melia Puerto Vallarta, Grand Palladium, Gastronomie France, among others), a 25-bed Centro de Alojamiento El Rocío housing facility, and ICETEX / Fundación Bancolombia Rumbo financing partnerships.

The revenue model is anchored in tuition (COP $2.3M per semester for technical/technological programs, COP $5.7-6.1M for the 7th-8th professional semesters) with layered ancillary streams: virtual Consultoría ICSEF services priced at COP $10K-$50K, EducoICSEF extension courses, an integrated social-enterprise portfolio (La Propia Tierra artisanal sauces S.A.S. B.I.C., La Terraza campestre restaurant, Dora del Hoyo fine pastry), and philanthropic donations facilitated through GlobalGiving. Go-to-market combines sales-led direct admissions via WhatsApp, Q10 pre-registration, and Plan Referida (5% referral discounts) with community-led outreach through Plan Proyéctate (free 10th-11th grade virtual courses), ICSEF a la Vereda (rural community training), and the Embajadoras Regionales ICSEF alumni ambassador program. The institution holds Vigilado Ministerio de Educación Nacional oversight (Código Institucional 3809) and is the only private institution in Sumapaz Province offering propaedeutic-cycle hospitality formation.

Name

Institución de Educación Superior

Legal name

ICSEF Institucion de Educacion Superior

Website

https://icsef.edu.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICSEF is a private Colombian higher education institution founded in 1971, delivering SNIES-registered technical, technological, and professional programs in gastronomy and hotel management to approximately 300 women students from rural and vulnerable backgrounds, using a Swiss-inspired dual-formation (ApHI) pedagogical model anchored at its Fusagasugá campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Hospitality & Gastronomy)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Culinary Arts & Cooking (Baking, Pastry, Global Cuisines) (EDAAAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

Keywords

• Hospitality education
• Gastronomy programs
• Hotel management training
• Vocational higher education
• Dual formation learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Matriculation: Primary revenue from tuition fees for academic programs. Technical and technology programs charge $2,306,200 per semester; professional programs charge $2,306,200 for technical/technological cycle and $5,735,800-$6,051,800 for professional cycle (7th and 8th semesters). Payment options include 40% initial payment with 60% financed up to 5 installments without interest.
2. Consulting Services: ICSEF Consultoría provides virtual consulting and education services in gastronomy, wellness, conservation of value, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality quality and service, and biosecurity. Services priced at $10,000, $20,000, and $50,000 COP.
3. Dora del Hoyo - Fine Pastry Products: Artisanal pastry products created by ICSEF gastronomy students. Launched in 2015 as an innovative project. Revenue supports vulnerable Colombian women.
4. La Propia Tierra del Sumapaz S.A.S. B.I.C. Social enterprise producing artisanal sauces from the Sumapaz region. Production team includes 5 women. Revenue supports education of Colombian women in economic, geographic, and social disadvantage.
5. Donations and Charitable Support: Donations support ICSEF Social programs including housing-rural girls with university scholarship project through Global Giving. Accepts monetary donations, in-kind donations (utensils, knives, pots, uniforms, computers, furniture, books), and student sponsorship.
6. Continuing Education and Extension Courses: EducoICSEF offers extension courses in gastronomy, hospitality administration, and social projection. Courses include Colombian cuisine, international cuisine, children's cooking, salads and appetizers, fast food, healthy cooking, bakery and pastry, cocktails and appetizers, meats and sauces, and vegetarian cuisine. Egresadas receive 20% discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ICSEF is a private higher education institution delivering SNIES-registered technical, technological, and professional degree programs in gastronomy and hotel management using its proprietary ApHI pedagogical model that combines theory with hands-on practice. Beyond academics, the institution operates integrated business units (Dora del Hoyo pastry, La Propia Tierra artisanal sauces, La Terraza restaurant) that serve as real-world training environments, along with consulting services and student housing supporting rural Colombian women pursuing careers in hospitality.

Product overview

ICSEF is an educational institution offering a portfolio of hospitality and gastronomy programs structured in propaedeutic cycles (technical, technological, and professional levels). The core academic products include five programs in gastronomy and hotel management (Técnico Profesional en Procesos Gastronómicos, Tecnología en Gestión Gastronómica, Técnico Profesional en Procesos Hoteleros y de Servicios, Tecnología en Gestión Hotelera y de Servicios, and Profesional en Administración Hotelera y de Servicios), all registered with SNIES national codes and valid through 2031-2032. Complementing the educational offerings, ICSEF operates business units (La Propia Tierra del Sumapaz for artisanal sauces, La Terraza campestre restaurant, and Dora del Hoyo fine pastry), a consulting division (Consultoría ICSEF), virtual consultory and continuing education services, social outreach programs (ICSEF a la Vereda), student housing (Centro El Rocío), scholarship programs, and extension courses. The institution's model emphasizes Swiss dual formation combining theory with practice, targeting primarily rural Colombian women in vulnerable situations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dora del Hoyo: Artisanal pastry project created by ICSEF gastronomy students, established in 2015. Products include fine pastries and baked goods made with quality ingredients, with proceeds supporting vulnerable Colombian women.
• La Propia Tierra de Sumapaz S.A.S. B.I.C.
• La Terraza
• Consultoria ICSEF
• ICSEF Social
• Centro de Alojamiento El Rocio (CEAL)
• ICSEF para Ser y Sonar en Grande

Products and services

• Técnico Profesional en Procesos Gastronómicos
• Tecnología en Gestión Gastronómica
• Técnico Profesional en Procesos Hoteleros y de Servicios
• Tecnología en Gestión Hotelera y de Servicios
• Profesional en Administración Hotelera y de Servicios
• Consultoría ICSEF Business consulting services for hospitality and gastronomy establishments, including virtual consultory, continuous education, operational processes standardization, managerial accompaniment, and tourism development planning. Targets hotels, restaurants, and tourism businesses seeking professional development support.
• La Propia Tierra del Sumapaz Artisanal sauce production company (La Propia Tierra de Sumapaz S.A.S. BIC) established 2015 by ICSEF gastronomy students. Products made by hand with quality ingredients, available online at lapropiasumapaz.com.co. Revenue supports education of Colombian women in economic, geographic, and social disadvantage. Functions as both a student training venue and a revenue-generating social enterprise.
• La Terraza Campestre Culinary space at the Usatama vereda rural campus (Torreblanca farm, Fusagasugá) where gastronomy students develop practical cooking competencies preparing Colombian dishes for guests. Operates as an educational entrepreneurship venue in Sumapaz Province.
• Dora del Hoyo Fina Pastelería Fine artisanal pastry project established 2015 by ICSEF gastronomy students. Products made by hand with quality ingredients, sold at the campus. Purchases support vulnerable Colombian women. Functions as both a real-world training environment for students and a revenue source.
• Consultorio Virtual y Educación Continua Virtual consulting and continuous education services covering gastronomy, wellness, value conservation, entrepreneurship, finance, home management, quality and service, and biosecurity in hospitality. Priced at $10,000, $20,000, and $50,000 COP per session via MercadoPago. Targets hospitality professionals and businesses.
• EducoICSEF Cursos de Extensión Extension courses in gastronomy, social projection, and hotel administration and management. Topics include Colombian cuisine, international cuisine, children's cooking, salads and appetizers, fast food, healthy cooking, bakery and pastry, cocktails and appetizers, meats and sauces, and vegetarian cuisine. Offers 20% discount to alumni (egresadas).
• Centro de Alojamiento Universitario El Rocío (CEAL) On-campus student housing center serving 25 ICSEF students from remote Colombian regions (Fusagasugá, San Bernardo, Arbeláez, Bogotá, Capitanejo/Santander, Inza/Cauca, Santa Rosa del Sur/Bolívar, La Macarena/Meta, Valledupar/Cesar, Loma de Arena/Cartagena, Norcasia and La Dorada/Caldas). Self-managed by students. Includes food and accommodation enabling students from distant regions to access ICSEF education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 300 women currently enrolled from different regions of Colombia
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universidad Tecnológica de Nayarit (UTNay)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership enabling Valentina Jaimes to obtain her degree in Gastronomy from UTNay. Example of successful student exchange and dual-degree arrangement between ICSEF and Mexican university.
• International Partners (Switzerland, Mexico, Spain, Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICSEF has international alliances with institutions in Switzerland (model for dual formation), Mexico (Universidad Tecnológica de Nayarit, Hotel Grand Palladium, Melia Puerto Vallarta), Spain, and Bolivia. These alliances support language practice with native speakers, academic exchanges, cultural exchange, and international practice opportunities.
• Universidad de Los AndesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Red de Egresados network, ICSEF alumni can access free courses in Project Formulation and Financing offered by Universidad de Los Andes' Continuing Education department, with support from the Directorate of Philanthropy.
• Global GivingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational donation platform partner for 'Housing-rural girls with university scholarship' project. Provides automatic tax certificates for donors in the United States and England. Enables international fundraising for ICSEF's social programs supporting rural women.
• Hotel Grand Palladium (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational practice agreement for ICSEF hospitality students. Provides 4-5 month international internship opportunities in Mexico's hospitality sector.
• Melia Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive (Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational practice agreement for ICSEF hospitality students. Part of Mexico international practice network offering 4-5 month internships.
• Gastronomie FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational practice agreement for ICSEF culinary students in France. Provides 4-5 month international internship in French gastronomy sector.
• Four Seasons Hotel Casa MedinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational practice agreement host for ICSEF hospitality students in Bogotá.
• Cadena GHLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational practice agreement with hotel chain for ICSEF hospitality students.
• Universidad de la SabanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice agreement and institutional alliance for ICSEF hospitality students. Also part of Red de Egresados network.
• INALDE (Universidad de la Sabana)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice agreement with INALDE business school for ICSEF hospitality students.
• Decameron PanacaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational practice agreement with resort chain for ICSEF hospitality students in coffee region.
• Clínica de la SabanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice agreement for ICSEF hospitality students in healthcare hospitality services.
• Red de Egresados (Cundinamarca and Bogotá)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of university alumni offices across Cundinamarca and Bogotá led by César Escobar (Externado), Marcela Held (Universidad Piloto), Ingrid Tatiana Fuentes (Fundación Konrad Lorenz), and Omar Eduardo Guevara (Universidad de la Salle). Provides employability and professional development resources including Qdit platform access.
• La Propia Tierra de Sumapaz S.A.S. B.I.C.coreOthersSocial enterprise producing artisanal sauces from Sumapaz region. Revenue supports education of Colombian women in economic, geographic, and social disadvantage. Team includes Gyselth Andrea Londoño Castrellón (Production Manager), Sulma Carrillo, Iris, Wendy Tatiana Borda, and Daniela López Romero.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Politécnico Grancolombiano: Large Colombian private institution with hospitality, tourism, and gastronomy programs. Competes for similar postsecondary students seeking practical, career-oriented credentials in service industries.
• Universidad de La Sabana: Major Colombian private university offering hospitality and tourism programs. Already an ICSEF practice-agreement partner via INALDE, illustrating the competitive overlap in Colombia's private higher-education hospitality segment.
• SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje): Colombian public vocational training institution offering free technical programs in hospitality and gastronomy nationwide. Represents the principal public-sector alternative for ICSEF's target demographic.
• Universidad Externado de Colombia: Colombian university with tourism and hospitality administration programs. Member of the Red de Egresados network alongside ICSEF, competing for students interested in service-sector professional careers.
• Universidad Tecnológica de Nayarit (UTNay): Mexican public technological university offering gastronomy programs. Already an ICSEF international partner enabling dual degrees (e.g., Valentina Jaimes), demonstrating comparable culinary curriculum and serving as the regional international benchmark.

Broad incumbents

• Le Cordon Bleu: Global premium culinary education brand operating across multiple countries. Represents the upper-tier international benchmark for culinary arts credentials against which ICSEF's Swiss dual-formation model is positioned.
• Culinary Institute of America: Premier US-based culinary higher-education institution. International benchmark for hospitality/gastronomy postsecondary credentials; relevant for evaluating ICSEF's positioning relative to global standards.
• Universidad de los Andes (Colombia): Top Colombian university offering hospitality and tourism-administration programs. Provides free continuing-education courses to ICSEF alumni via Red de Egresados; broader and higher-tier institutional competitor for premium students.

Others

• INALDE Business School: Executive business school within Universidad de La Sabana and existing ICSEF practice-agreement partner. Adjacent to ICSEF's hospitality management programs, useful for benchmarking management-education adjacencies.

Regional players

• Escuela de Gastronomía Mariano Moreno: Prominent Latin American culinary school based in Argentina. Comparable in mission (vocational culinary training) but operates in a different geography; useful benchmark for Latin American culinary-education pedagogy and student outcomes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ICSEF.EdSuperior
• Instagraminstagram.com/icsef_social
• Xx.com/icsefcolombia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icsefinstituciondeeducacionsuperior

Compliance7 records

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 Institución de Educación Superior