IIB

What IIB does

IIB (Institute for Independent Business) is a UK-registered non-profit research, training, and accreditation organisation founded in 1984 as the Institute for Independent British Business and renamed in 1995 to reflect international operations. The organisation's core function is to recruit experienced business executives, train them through the Consultancy Business Development Programme (CBDP) and the Executive Coaching Business Development Programme (ECBDP) at its Residential Business School in Amsterdam, and accredit them as IIB Associates. With a registered office in Chesham, UK and an international head office in Amsterdam, IIB supports a network of 5,000+ accredited Associates operating in 40+ countries, including the UK, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Israel, South Africa, Australia, and India.

The underlying technology is methodology-based rather than software-based. IIB's core assets are proprietary consulting and coaching frameworks — the Business Support Programme, the Coaching Support Programme, the CBDP and ECBDP curricula, and supporting standard paperwork — backed by seven registered brand-identity marks. Delivery infrastructure comprises the in-person Residential Business School, an Associates extranet/login portal, and event-driven CPD channels (national and international conferences, regional group meetings, webinars, and newsletters). There are no AI/ML components, APIs, or integrations referenced in the available data.

The business model combines training-fee revenue from incoming CBDP/ECBDP cohorts with recurring revenue from Associate accreditation and membership dues. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the first client consultation is free with no obligation, and ongoing revenue is captured through subscription-style Associate status with extranet and network access. Go-to-market is community- and event-led: recruitment targets senior executives, retention is driven by Alumni events and peer governance (Professional Conduct Committee), and end-client distribution is handled entirely through the Associate network rather than direct sales by IIB. Customer segments are split between independent SMEs (Managing Directors and Owners) for the Business Support Programme and large corporations / HR Directors for the Coaching Support Programme.

Name

IIB

Legal name

The Institute for Independent Business

Website

https://iib.ws

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IIB is a UK-registered non-profit founded in 1984 that trains experienced executives through its CBDP and ECBDP programmes, accrediting them as Associates who deliver business support and coaching services to SMEs across 40+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Consulting and Executive Coaching Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B Channel Partners & Referral Agencies (Cross-Industry Referral) (FSAEAMAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

B2B / Industrial Market Research (MPAAALAA)

Keywords

• Business consultancy training
• Executive coaching accreditation
• Professional accreditation services
• SME business advisory
• Consultant development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Consultancy Business Development Programme (CBDP): Revenue generated from training fees for executives undergoing the CBDP, which includes training at the Residential Business School. Successful completion leads to accreditation as an IIB Associate.
2. Executive Coaching Business Development Programme (ECBDP): Revenue from training executives in evidence-based coaching frameworks. Upon graduation from the Residential Coaching School, coaches are qualified to provide the unique IIB Business Coaching Programme.
3. Associate Accreditation and Membership: Ongoing revenue from maintaining Associate accreditation status, with access to the IIB extranet, global network, and continuing professional development resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IIB is a non-profit training and accreditation institute that recruits experienced executives and trains them through the Consultancy Business Development Programme (CBDP) and Executive Coaching Business Development Programme (ECBDP), delivered in part at the Residential Business School in Amsterdam. Graduates become accredited IIB Associates who, in turn, deliver the IIB Business Support Programme and IIB Coaching Support Programme — proprietary methodology-based advisory and coaching services — to Managing Directors, Owners and HR Directors of independent businesses and larger organizations across 40+ countries.

Product overview

IIB (Institute for Independent Business) is a global network of accredited business consultants offering a suite of training and support programs. The core offering is the Consultancy Business Development Programme (CBDP), which includes training at the Residential Business School and leads to accreditation as an IIB Associate. Related programs include the Executive Coaching Business Development Programme (ECBDP) for evidence-based coaching, the Business Support Programme (BSP) providing methodology for advising independent businesses, and the Coaching Support Programme (CSP) for human performance needs. These programs work together to create a network of over 5,000 Associates across 40+ countries who deliver practical advice to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IIB Consultancy Business Development Programme (CBDP) Core training programme that takes experienced executives through a selection procedure and a structured methodology course, qualifying them to deliver the IIB Business Support Programme to clients as accredited Associates.
• IIB Residential Business School Residential in-person training component of the CBDP held at IIB's international head office in Amsterdam, covering positioning, cold calls, social media use and access to the IIB Associate network for executives building a consultancy practice.
• IIB Business Support Programme Proprietary, methodology-based advisory service delivered by accredited IIB Associates to Managing Directors and Owners of independent businesses, addressing competitive advantage, fiscal austerity and growth challenges. The first consultation meeting is provided free of charge with no obligation.
• IIB Coaching Support Programme Proprietary coaching service addressing human performance needs of businesses of all sizes, delivered by accredited IIB coaches and Alumni specialists using a methodology built on the Business Support Programme.
• IIB Executive Coaching Business Development Programme (ECBDP) Evidence-based coaching training programme that provides executives with theoretical framework, practical skills, critical thinking and methodological rigour; graduates of the IIB Residential Coaching School become qualified to deliver the IIB Business Coaching Programme.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Young Presidents' Organization (YPO): YPO is a leadership community of chief executives offering peer advisory forums, learning, and executive education. Comparable to IIB in serving business leaders through confidential peer groups and formalized development programming.
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI): CMI is a UK-based professional body offering management accreditation, training, and Continuous Professional Development. Comparable to IIB in offering accredited membership and management training to practising business professionals.
• BNI (Business Network International): BNI is a global referral networking organization for business professionals structured around chapter-based member referrals. Comparable to IIB in its formal referral-driven network model serving SMBs and independent professionals.
• Gazelles (Verne Harnish / Scaling Up): Gazelles is a coaching and training company that certifies coaches in the Scaling Up methodology for SMB growth. Comparable to IIB in certifying business coaches/advisors through a proprietary programme focused on independent companies.
• Vistage: Vistage runs the world's largest CEO peer advisory and executive coaching network, organized into groups of 12-16 executives. It is directly comparable to IIB in offering business advisory and coaching to SMB leaders through a structured facilitation model.
• SCORE: SCORE is a US-based nonprofit network providing free mentoring and advisory services to SMBs through volunteer mentors. Comparable to IIB in its nonprofit, volunteer-driven model focused on practical advice for independent businesses.
• Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO): EO is a global peer network of entrepreneurs offering member-led learning, advisory, and events. Its member-based model for SMB leaders and structured chapter experience is closely comparable to IIB's Alumni-driven network.
• ActionCOACH: ActionCOACH is a global business coaching franchise with thousands of coaches serving SMBs using a proprietary methodology. It mirrors IIB's network-driven model of accredited business coaches delivering standardized programmes to SME clients.
• Institute of Consulting (UK): The Institute of Consulting is the professional body for management consultants in the UK, providing accreditation, standards, and CPD. Comparable to IIB in accrediting individual consultants and upholding a Code of Ethics for the profession.

Emerging players

• Clarity.fm: Clarity.fm is an online marketplace connecting SMB leaders with vetted business advisors via on-demand calls. It is an emerging digital-first alternative to IIB's in-person Associate-led advisory model, particularly for tech and startup SMBs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-independent-business-international-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 IIB