IQN
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What IQN does
IQN is a private UK-incorporated international examination body, founded in 2015, that issues professional designations and diplomas recognised under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF Level 7–8) and benchmarked at European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 5. Its core product portfolio comprises three professional certifications — Certified Finance Specialist (CFS), Certified Project Management Analyst (CPMA) and Certified Strategic Manager (CSM) — priced at £149 each, and three diplomas — Human Resource Management, Marketing and Supply Chain Management — priced at £79 each. Examinations are delivered online through the Speedexam platform with browser-based remote proctoring (webcam, microphone, screen capture, behavioural flagging), Stripe payment processing, and digital credentials issued via the Credly badge platform with unique verification URLs.
Revenue is generated through four distinct mechanics: (i) one-time individual exam fees with up to three free re-sits within 90 days and lifetime credential validity; (ii) annual Dual Certification provider fees (£120/year) plus a £49 per-student award fee; (iii) annual Endorsed Course provider fees (£180/year) plus £10 per digital certificate issued; and (iv) tiered CPD Certification annual fees ranging from £195 to £395+ for 1–20 programmes, with unlimited certificates under the Certified CPD logo. The business serves three customer segments: individual professionals pursuing self-study credentials, higher-education institutions seeking dual-certification arrangements, and training providers/professional bodies seeking CPD certification or course endorsement. IQN operates through a dual corporate structure (IQN Ltd. in England and Wales; IQN (Labuan) LLP in Malaysia), with offices in London (Fitzrovia) and Kuala Lumpur (Bukit Bintang), and a partner-led distribution model that has reached 15,000+ certified learners across 65+ countries.
IQN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IQN
- Legal name
- IQN Ltd.
- Website
- https://iqnglobal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IQN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Certification & Qualifications
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Credentialing, Digital Badges & Micro-Credential Platforms (EDAFADAF), Secure Browser, Device Lockdown & Exam Security Tools (EDAFADAI), Transcript, Score Reporting & Verification/Credential Wallet Platforms (EDAFADAO)
Keywords
Where IQN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kuala Lumpur
- HQ country
- Malaysia
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
IQN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Exam Fees: One-time exam fees paid by individual candidates. For diplomas (HRM, Marketing, SCM), the fee is £79. For certifications (CFS, CPMA, CSM), the fee is £149. Includes initial exam attempt and up to three free re-sits within 90 days.
- Endorsed Course Provider Annual Fee: Annual provider fee of £180 per year for organisations with endorsed courses. No limit on number of courses submitted for endorsement.
- Student Certificate Fees (Endorsed Courses): Fee of £10 for each digital certificate issued by IQN to successful learners under the endorsed course scheme.
- CPD Certification Annual Fee: Annual certification fees for CPD programmes: 1 programme/course at £195/year, 2-5 at £245/year, 6-10 at £295/year, 11-15 at £345/year, 16-20 at £395/year. Unlimited certificates can be issued using the Certified CPD logo with no per-learner or per-certificate charge.
- Dual Certification Provider Fees: Annual fee of £120 for approved dual certification providers. Reduced flat rate of £49 per student for claiming IQN awards for eligible learners.
- Exemption Application Fees: Exemption fee equal to the qualification exam fee (same as exam fee: £79 for diplomas, £149 for certifications). Non-refundable. Upon approval, digital certificate and digital badge issued at no extra cost.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CPMA Exam Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CSM Exam Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CFS Exam Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | SCM Diploma Exam Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | HRM Diploma Exam Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Marketing Diploma Exam Fee |
| Subscription | Annual | Endorsed Course Provider Annual Fee |
| Subscription | Annual | CPD Certification Annual Fee (Tiered) |
| Subscription | Annual | Dual Certification Provider Annual Fee |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
IQN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IQN is a global examination body that designs, owns, and awards UK-recognised professional designations and diplomas, delivered through a self-serve online platform where learners register for free, self-study using free Body of Knowledge materials, and sit remotely proctored MCQ exams on-demand via the Speedexam platform. Successful candidates receive digital certificates and verifiable badges through Credly. For institutional clients, IQN provides CPD Certification (annual tiered subscriptions for training providers), Endorsed Courses (annual provider fees plus per-certificate issuance), and Dual Certification (annual fee plus per-student award) programmes that allow universities, colleges, and training providers to align their own qualifications with IQN's SCQF/EQF-recognised credentials.
Product overview
IQN is a professional certification and qualification body offering a portfolio of UK-recognised credentials. The core offerings include three professional designations (Certified Finance Specialist/CFS, Certified Project Management Analyst/CPMA, Certified Strategic Manager/CSM) and three diplomas (Diploma in Human Resource Management, Diploma in Marketing, Diploma in Supply Chain Management). All qualifications are recognised under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Beyond self-study and exam-based certifications, IQN provides services for learning providers including CPD Certification (for certifying professional development courses), Endorsed Courses (for external quality recognition), and Dual Certification (enabling institutions to offer IQN qualifications alongside their own awards). Digital certificates and badges are issued through Credly upon successful exam completion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Certified Finance Specialist (CFS) Professional certification designation for finance professionals covering financial reporting, planning, decision tools, investment appraisal, and strategic finance. Accredited at SCQF Level 8 / EQF Level 5 with a £149 one-time exam fee that includes the initial attempt and up to three free re-sits within 90 days.
- Certified Project Management Analyst (CPMA) Professional certification designation for project management professionals covering project foundation, planning, scheduling, procurement, cost, quality, and risk management. Accredited at SCQF Level 8 / EQF Level 5 with a £149 one-time exam fee.
- Certified Strategic Manager (CSM) Professional certification designation for strategic managers covering strategic management frameworks, external/internal analysis, strategy formulation, and implementation. Accredited at SCQF Level 8 / EQF Level 5 with a £149 one-time exam fee.
- Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM) Professional diploma covering HRM concepts including people management, recruitment, performance management, employment relations, and HR analytics. Recognised at SCQF Level 7 / EQF Level 5 with a £79 one-time exam fee.
- Diploma in Marketing Professional diploma covering essential marketing concepts, strategies, and tactics for career-ready marketing skills. Recognised at SCQF Level 7 / EQF Level 5 with a £79 one-time exam fee.
- Diploma in Supply Chain Management Professional diploma covering supply chain strategy, operations (Procure, Make, Deliver, Return), and performance drivers. Recognised at SCQF Level 7 / EQF Level 5 with a £79 one-time exam fee.
- CPD Certification Annual tiered certification service for training providers and professional bodies to certify their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and activities, enabling them to assign CPD Credit Hours (CCH) and display the Certified CPD logo on certificates they issue themselves.
- Endorsed Courses Course endorsement service enabling learning providers to obtain external IQN quality recognition for their existing courses and have IQN issue digital certificates to successful learners under the endorsed course scheme.
- Dual Certification Partnership programme that enables universities, colleges, professional institutes, and training providers to align their syllabuses with UK-recognised IQN qualifications, so eligible learners receive both their institution's own award and an IQN certification or diploma.
Quantifiable outcome
- 15,000+ learners certified globally
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use IQN
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IQN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
IQN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Aquinas College of Higher Studies (ACHS)coreSri Lankan higher education institution officially recognised by local authorities to administer professional courses at tertiary level. Partnership enables dual certification, allowing learners to receive both the college's own awards and IQN UK qualifications after successful completion.
- Norco CollegecoreCommunity college in California, USA. IQN provided dual certification for Supply Chain Management graduates, offering additional IQN certification for broader international recognition of their supply chain knowledge and academic achievement.
- BiMScoreProfessional education and training institution in Bangladesh committed to practical, career-focused learning. IQN collaborated with BiMS for joint certification of Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management (PGDPM) together with CPMA (UK) Certification.
- SCQF PartnershipcoreUK qualifications framework partnership including Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), College Development Network (CDN), Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and Universities Scotland. Recognises IQN qualifications on SCQF database, confirming meeting of learning outcomes, assessment, and quality assurance criteria.
- European Qualifications Framework (EQF)coreEQF formally adopted by European Parliament and Council in 2008 for qualification comparability across Europe. IQN certifications benchmarked as Level 5 qualifications in EQF, enabling international comparability across European education systems.
- CredlycoreDigital credential platform partner for issuing IQN digital certificates and badges. Badges issued via [email protected], with unique verification URLs, shareable on LinkedIn/Facebook/Twitter, and embeddable in email signatures.
- European University AssociationminorEUA membership recognised for exemption purposes. Students with undergraduate/postgraduate degrees from EUA full or associate member universities in relevant fields may be exempted from IQN exams.
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)minorACU membership recognised for exemption purposes. Postgraduate degrees from ACU full member universities in relevant fields may qualify for IQN exam exemptions.
- Universities UKminorMembership in Universities UK (and similar bodies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand) recognised for exemption purposes. Degrees from member universities may qualify for IQN exam exemptions.
- International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)minorFull membership in IFAC-recognised national or international accountancy professional bodies qualifies for exemption from CFS exam. Professional body membership provides evidence of finance/accounting qualification equivalence.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
IQN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants): UK-headquartered professional body offering management accounting and strategic management qualifications (CIMA, CGMA). Closely comparable to IQN in geography (UK) and in offering strategic/management credentials to working professionals, but with substantially greater scale, employer recognition, and member base.
- CFA Institute: Premier global credentialing body for investment professionals (CFA Program). Comparable to IQN in delivering finance certifications via proctored exams with digital badges, but at much higher price points and with significantly stronger employer mandates, illustrating the credentialing-barrier challenge IQN faces.
- CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development): UK professional body for HR and people development, offering chartered credentials recognized as the standard for HR professionals. Direct competitor to IQN's Diploma in Human Resource Management (HRM) in the same UK professional HR qualification market and in the same candidate segment (career-advancing HR practitioners).
- ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): Established global professional accounting certification body offering chartered certifications recognized worldwide. Directly comparable to IQN's finance (CFS) certification in target learner (working professionals seeking recognized credentials) and business model (exam-based qualification with multiple tiers), though operating at vastly larger scale and with longer-standing employer recognition.
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI): UK chartered body awarding management and leadership qualifications, including Level 5 qualifications aligned with EQF. Direct comparable to IQN in offering UK-recognized management/strategic qualifications at EQF Level 5, but with a more established employer brand and broader chartered membership base.
- edX (2U): Online learning platform offering micro-credentials, professional certificates, and degree programs from accredited institutions. Comparable to IQN in offering stackable professional credentials delivered online with digital badges, though typically at higher price points and tied to accredited university partners.
- PMI (Project Management Institute): Globally dominant project management credentialing body issuing the PMP certification. Direct competitor to IQN's CPMA (Certified Project Management Analyst) in target audience (project management professionals) and exam-based delivery, but with PMP's established employer recognition acting as a structural moat against newer entrants.
- Coursera: Large online learning platform offering professional certificates and accredited credentials from universities and companies. Comparable to IQN in digital delivery of professional qualifications and in serving global learners seeking affordable credentials, but with vastly broader catalog and stronger university partnerships.
Direct peers
- APMG International: UK-based global accreditation body that accredits training organizations and certifies individuals in methodologies like PRINCE2, ITIL, and AgilePM. Direct comparable to IQN as a UK-rooted professional certification body offering globally-recognised credentials via accredited providers, with similar B2B2C channel economics and exam-based delivery.
Others
- Speedexam: Online examination platform provider used by IQN for exam delivery and remote proctoring. Listed as a peer because it sits in IQN's technology stack and provides the underlying proctoring infrastructure that enables IQN's self-serve exam model — making it a critical enabling partner rather than a competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IQN social profiles
Digital presenceIQN compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
IQN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IQN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
IQN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IQN 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 IQN
What does IQN do?
IQN is a global examination body that designs, owns, and awards UK-recognised professional designations and diplomas, delivered through a self-serve online platform where learners register for free, self-study using free Body of Knowledge materials, and sit remotely proctored MCQ exams on-demand via the Speedexam platform. Successful candidates receive digital certificates and verifiable badges through Credly. For institutional clients, IQN provides CPD Certification (annual tiered subscriptions for training providers), Endorsed Courses (annual provider fees plus per-certificate issuance), and Dual Certification (annual fee plus per-student award) programmes that allow universities, colleges, and training providers to align their own qualifications with IQN's SCQF/EQF-recognised credentials.
Is IQN a public or private company?
IQN is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IQN founded?
IQN was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IQN based?
IQN is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in the Asia region.
How does IQN make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Exam Fees are the primary driver. The others are endorsed Course Provider Annual Fee, student Certificate Fees (Endorsed Courses), CPD Certification Annual Fee, dual Certification Provider Fees and exemption Application Fees.
Who are IQN's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), CFA Institute, CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), Chartered Management Institute (CMI), edX (2U), PMI (Project Management Institute) and Coursera. APMG International is listed as a direct peer. Speedexam is listed as an others.
Does IQN have an API?
No public API is recorded for IQN.
What industry is IQN in?
IQN's product category is Professional Certification & Qualifications. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFADAG, Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAFADAF, Credentialing, Digital Badges & Micro-Credential Platforms. Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 8200.