WakeUpBrain Academy

What WakeUpBrain Academy does

WakeUpBrain Academy operates a gamified methodology practice for accelerating organizational innovation, leadership development, and sustainability strategy. Its core offering is a card-game architecture spanning three branded product lines — WakeUpBrain (innovation acceleration), EkoBrain (sustainability innovation, launched 2024 with GRI co-development), and Forte (leadership competency assessment) — built around a six-step proprietary process called MACROS and a four-quadrant cultural model called WakeUpCulture. The company sells physical card sets with instruction books, multi-tier professional certifications (Expert, Master, Master Trainer, Consultant, Explorer), books authored by founder Edgar Guillermo Solano, a small catalog of brain-training games, and corporate engagement services including the i-Tournament innovation tournament and Forte consulting sessions for leadership teams.

The business operates a dual model combining product-led direct-to-consumer e-commerce (multilingual WooCommerce storefront, downloadable PDF kits such as Agilúdico at USD 4,500, and physical games priced around USD 100-135) with professional-services revenue from corporate training, certifications (Forte virtual certification at approximately USD 640-800 per cohort), and on-site consulting engagements (Forte sessions at USD 4,000 per session). Distribution is channeled through a licensed Academy partner network with branches in six countries across the Americas (Colombia HQ, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile, and USA/Miami) plus content marketing channels including a blog, Gamipedia newsletter, the "Club de las Cabezas Cuadradas" podcast via Caracol Media, and published books. Named enterprise and government customers include SABMiller, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Johnson & Johnson, BASF, Carrefour, Philips, Citibank, Bancolombia, Banco de Bogotá, Ecopetrol, HP, Allianz, Sanofi Pasteur, multiple Colombian ministries and superintendencies, and educational institutions including TEC de Monterrey; over 100 organizations have been served cumulatively since the methodology's 2009 launch.

The legal operating entity is Centro de Innovación Ltda., a private limited partnership headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia, with 11-50 employees. The company is founder-led by Edgar Guillermo Solano and operates without disclosed institutional funding. The company's intellectual property portfolio includes 14 registered brand identities covering all major product lines, methodologies, and certification tiers.

Name

WakeUpBrain Academy

Legal name

Centro de Innovación Ltda.

Website

https://academy.wakeupbrain.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WakeUpBrain Academy is a Bogotá-based methodology company that sells gamified card games, multi-tier certifications, and corporate training services for innovation, sustainability, and leadership development, operating across six countries in the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation training and gamification methodology

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Innovation & Design Thinking Programs (EDAMAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB)

Keywords

• Innovation methodology training
• Gamification consulting services
• Corporate creativity workshops
• Facilitator certification programs
• Sustainability innovation games

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Physical Games and Card Sets: Sale of physical card games (WakeUpBrain, EkoBrain, Forte) with accompanying books. One-time purchase model. Cards are language-independent.
2. Forte Virtual Certification: 5-session virtual certification program (3 hours each) taught by Forte experts. Includes game deck, format library, tools, and Forte Competencies Dictionary.
3. WakeUpBrain Certifications: Multi-level certification programs: Expert, Master, Master Trainer, Consultant, and Explorer levels. Virtual and in-person formats available.
4. Corporate Training - i-Tournament: On-site corporate innovation tournaments and training programs delivering team innovation capability, culture change, and 10x ROI on real projects.
5. Forte Consulting Sessions: On-site consulting sessions with up to 10 organizational leaders for competency gap identification and Forte report delivery.
6. Books and Publications: Sale of innovation methodology books including 'Innovación para Cabezas Cuadradas', 'Playliving', 'Gimnasio Cerebral', and others.
7. Digital Products: Downloadable PDF kits (Agilúdico) and manuals for self-facilitation of games and brain training exercises.
8. Emprendetón Program: Entrepreneurship support program using WakeUpBrain tools for group entrepreneurial capability building and powerful business models.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WakeUpBrain Academy is a gamification-based innovation methodology company that sells proprietary physical card games (WakeUpBrain for innovation, EkoBrain for sustainability innovation, Forte for leadership competency development), accompanying methodology books, a tiered facilitator certification program (Expert, Master, Master Trainer, Consultant, Explorer), and on-site corporate innovation services (i-Tournament, Forte consulting sessions). The offering targets enterprise innovation teams, L&D departments, and individual facilitators seeking structured, game-driven approaches to accelerate innovation and build innovation culture.

Product overview

WakeUpBrain Academy is a gamification-based innovation methodology company offering a portfolio of card games, books, certifications, and training programs. The core offerings include WakeUpBrain (innovation acceleration methodology), EkoBrain (sustainability innovation), and Forte (human talent development), each consisting of physical card games paired with books containing game instructions. The company provides a tiered certification system (Expert, Master, Master Trainer, Consultant, Explorer) for professional development in their methodologies. Additional products include various brain training games (Neuromatch, Roll and Play, Gráfico), books (Playliving, Innovación para Cabezas Cuadradas, Gimnasio Cerebral), and digital resources like Agilúdico for agile practitioners and free WakeIDG games for Inner Development Goals. The i-Tournament service offers team-based innovation tournaments for organizational transformation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EkoBrain: Game-based methodology for accelerating sustainability innovation in organizations.
• Forte
• WakeUpCulture
• i-Tournament
• IDT
• Emprendetón

Products and services

• WakeUpBrain (Card Game) Core proprietary card-based innovation game methodology for accelerating innovation processes. Includes large-format cards organized in categories (Inspiration, Council of Sages, Action, Specials) and a book with instructions for 50+ games aligned with the MACROS innovation methodology.
• EkoBrain (Sustainability Innovation Game) Card-based game for accelerating sustainability innovation in organizations. Includes 70+ cards across Inspiration, Council of Sages, MACROS, Impact, and Triangle categories, with a book covering 50+ games for sustainability strategy, stakeholder mapping, and material aspect identification.
• Forte (Human Talent Development Game) Card game for human talent and leadership competency development based on the WakeUpCulture four-quadrant organizational culture model. Includes 71 cards for identifying gaps and development needs in leaders responsible for strategy execution or area management, used in sessions for up to 10 organizational leaders.
• i-Tournament (Corporate Innovation Tournament) On-site corporate innovation tournament service combining team competition with a strategic innovation framework to train teams, change culture, and deliver 10x ROI by accelerating real corporate projects within weeks.
• WakeUpBrain Expert Certification Entry-level certification teaching how to use games to develop innovation capabilities in people and organizations. Covers brain performance and over 20 games for innovation.
• WakeUpBrain Master Certification Advanced certification (20 hours of training) advancing the WakeUpBrain methodology through two deepening routes: MACROS (Design Thinking-based innovation process optimization) and Master of the Game (using LevelUpBrain tool to design innovation routes with specific mechanics).
• WakeUpBrain Master Trainer Certification Advanced certification providing tools to TEACH WakeUpBrain to others, covering group direction, game explanation for maximum engagement, custom game design, and application of the player style model in training environments.
• WakeUpBrain Consultant Certification Expert-level certification for designing innovation systems adapted to an organization's style, using the IDT tool for assessing innovation maturity and designing innovation culture promotion strategies with the WakeUpCulture model.
• WakeUpBrain Explorer Camp Innovative experience covering decision-making, uncertainty management, automation, and personal reinvention through magical circles and games.
• Forte Virtual Certification Virtual certification teaching how to use the Forte game and methodology for identifying gaps and development needs in leaders. Includes card deck, complementary boards, guides, and Forte Competencies Dictionary across 5 sessions of 3 hours each.
• Agil\u00fadico (Digital Kit for Agilists) Downloadable PDF kit of 7 games based on EkoBrain, designed for agilists to energize planning, retrospective, and team working sessions with playful dynamics easy to apply and high-impact.
• Forte Session (Consulting Session) Forte game session for up to 10 organizational leaders, including platform for strategy planning, participant quadrant and role identification, 3-hour in-person session with specialized consultant, learning style identification, and Forte Report delivery.
• Forte Package of 10 Games Package of 10 Forte games for working with teams in organizations, including 10 boxes with 71 cards each, QR code for usage instructions and complementary content, and 1-hour virtual advisory session.
• Playliving (Book) Book by Edgar Guillermo Solano presenting 24 strategies for being a professional player in achieving personal and business objectives, drawn from game strategies for business and life effectiveness.
• Innovaci\u00f3n para Cabezas Cuadradas (Book) Book by Edgar Guillermo Solano explaining innovation methodology, essential for those wanting to be exceptional innovators and create novel products, surprising experiences, and reinvent surroundings.
• Gimnasio Cerebral (Book) Brain training book with simple and fun exercises covering the 5 cognitive spheres: Perception, Attention, Language, Memory, and Creative Thinking. Co-authored by Paola \u00c1ngel and Mar\u00eda Fernanda Lara.
• Focus Manual (Brain Reinforcement Book) Book and downloadable manual for using the Focus game to train brain capacities of children and adults, containing 20 games designed by experts to identify weaknesses, strengthen capacities, and create family moments.
• Neuromatch (Game) Fast-paced card game for 2 to 12 players that tests reaction speed, memory, coordination, and laughter. Strengthens observation, memory, attention, mental speed, and eye-hand coordination for players aged 8 to 108.
• Roll and Play (Game) First game designed specifically for children from 18 months old. Players throw a felt die, select a colored card, and perform the indicated activity. Teaches colors, counting, and animals while stimulating creativity.
• Gr\u00e1fico (Game) Language-independent drawing game that activates the right side of the brain, where teams compete to guess crazy drawings of their companions, demanding maximum creativity from participants.
• WakeUpBrain Open Anniversary (Game + Book) The WakeUpBrain game package including the book with methodology introduction and instructions for over 50 games, plus 62 original game cards in categories: Inspiration, Council of Sages, Action, and Specials.
• WakeIDG (Free Inner Development Goals Games) Free games developed to support the Inner Development Goals (IDG) initiative, which complement the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over 20 ODI games available at no cost.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30-minute sessions with exciting ideas vs. 3-hour meetings with no results
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers38 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024GRI contributed to development and validation of EkoBrain sustainability methodology. The organization with greatest recognition in sustainability indicators and reporting helped shape EkoBrain's approach to sustainable innovation.
• European Union Alfa ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Early development support for WakeUpBrain methodology. First version of WakeUpBrain was developed with support from the EU Alfa Programme and launched at ISLAE fair in Glasgow, Scotland in 2009.
• International Universities and ProfessionalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversities and professionals from around the world participated in design, testing, and validation of EkoBrain methodology's effectiveness.
• Innpulsa (Colombia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInnpulsa, Colombia's entrepreneurship promotion organization, partnered to deliver Emprendetón program using WakeUpBrain tools for entrepreneur development.
• ISLAE (International Simulation and Gaming Association)minorOthersWakeUpBrain first version launched at ISLAE fair in Glasgow, Scotland in 2009.
• WakeUpBrain Academy Network PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed Academy operations in 6 countries across the Americas: Colombia (HQ), Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile, and USA (Miami). Partners operate local certification and training services under WakeUpBrain brand.
• Pura Estrategia (Costa Rica)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilvia Brenes leads WakeUpBrain Academy Costa Rica as CEO of Pura Estrategia.
• Lirela (Ecuador)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoberto Esteves manages WakeUpBrain Academy Ecuador through Lirela.
• Caracol MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEdgar Guillermo Solano hosts the 'Club de las Cabezas Cuadradas' podcast through Caracol Media partnership.
• Ibero-American Innovation NetworkminorOthersEdgar Guillermo Solano is founder and coordinator of the Ibero-American Innovation Network.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• MJV Innovation: Brazil-based innovation and design thinking consultancy active across Latin America. Closest geographic competitor to WakeUpBrain in the LatAm enterprise innovation training market.

Direct peers

• Hyper Island: Global education and innovation-training provider offering leadership and innovation certifications delivered through experiential, project-based methods. Closely comparable to WakeUpBrain's multi-level certification and corporate transformation offerings.
• Kaospilot: Denmark-based "business school for creative entrepreneurship" combining experiential learning, games, and innovation methodology. Comparable methodology stack and certification-style programming to WakeUpBrain Academy.
• Innovation Games (Luke Hohmann): Founded the Innovation Games methodology for collaborative product development using game-based facilitation — a direct conceptual cousin to WakeUpBrain's card-based games and innovation tournaments.
• LUMA Institute: Specialist in teaching human-centered design and innovation methods through structured, repeatable frameworks and certification programs. Closely comparable to WakeUpBrain's approach of packaging innovation methodology into a teachable, certifiable system.

Broad incumbents

• IDEO: Global design and innovation consulting firm. IDEO pioneered Design Thinking and corporate innovation facilitation that WakeUpBrain's MACROS methodology is built around; competes for the same enterprise innovation training and culture transformation budgets.
• Doblin (Deloitte): Deloitte's innovation strategy practice offering Ten Types of Innovation framework and enterprise innovation training. Competes for the same corporate innovation culture transformation budgets as WakeUpBrain's i-Tournament.
• Frog Design: Global design and innovation consultancy that runs corporate workshops and capability-building programs. Comparable to WakeUpBrain's enterprise training and innovation culture change offerings, but at a much larger scale and price point.

Emerging players

• TTI (Target Training International) / Insights Group: Behavioral and competency-based assessment providers with certified practitioner networks and card-style instruments. Comparable to Forte's gamified leadership competency assessments and certification pyramid.

Others

• Institute of Design at Stanford (d.school): Academic originator of Design Thinking methodology that WakeUpBrain's MACROS framework draws on. Indirect peer in shaping the enterprise Design Thinking / innovation training category WakeUpBrain serves.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0Y-kqB-PGz25GdAW3ozq5w
• Xx.com/wubacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 WakeUpBrain Academy