What Smart Formation does

Smart Formation is a France-based professional training provider established in 1987 and headquartered in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, with operations concentrated in the Île-de-France region. The company delivers IT and language training to corporate clients and individual learners, offering its 500+ corporate customers curricula spanning 12+ software tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Autodesk, etc.) and 10+ languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, among others). The firm holds Qualiopi certification (obtained in 2021), which makes its programs eligible for CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) public funding and qualifies it as an authorized test center for TOEIC, TOEFL, and BULATS certifications. Founded by Fiona Smart and her husband, the company is currently managed by Managing Director Mayel Oueld.

The business model rests on a multi-channel delivery framework combining intra-company (on-site customized sessions), inter-company (open enrollment via the Smart-Inter format), and individual training formats, supplemented by distance learning (since 2018) and overseas immersion trips. Smart Formation reported 12,257 trainee hours in 2022 alongside a 94.18% satisfaction rate and a 95.80% TOEIC pass rate. The firm is organized as a SARL with €7,500 in stated capital, employs between 11 and 50 staff internally, and draws on a network of 30+ certified trainers. Revenue is generated primarily through B2B training contracts with French enterprises, with secondary revenue from individual learners using CPF funding and from specialized workshop products (Sound Workshop, Lunch Break, Accent Specialist, Pronunciation Workshop). The company has also pursued public-sector partnerships, notably with the Région Île-de-France and Pôle emploi (2019–2020) for job-seeker reskilling programs.

The underlying technology stack is centered on conventional e-learning and video-conferencing tooling for distance delivery rather than proprietary platforms, with no disclosed AI or adaptive-learning capabilities. The company differentiates on instructional customization, multilingual trainer coverage, and regulatory standing rather than on technology IP. Distribution relies on direct B2B sales, CPF platform listings, and institutional referrals, with pricing tied to course duration, group size, and customization scope rather than SaaS-style recurring subscriptions.

Name

Smart Formation

Legal name

Smart Formation

Website

https://smartformation.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Formation is a French professional training provider (founded 1987) delivering IT software and language courses to 500+ corporate clients and individual learners across Île-de-France via Qualiopi-certified instructors and CPF-eligible programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Training and Education

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Language Schools (611630), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tools & Platforms Training (Jira, Azure DevOps, MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.) (EDABAHAH), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Professional training services
• Language training courses
• IT skills training
• Corporate language programs
• CPF eligible training

Headquarters

HQ city

Montigny-le-bretonneux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: Smart Formation generates revenue through providing professional training services in IT and languages. Training is sold to enterprises (intra-company) and individuals, with pricing varying by format (individual, group, inter-company). Revenue is collected through CPF financing, OPCO co-funding, FNE-Formation subsidies, and direct enterprise payments. The company operates in a B2B and B2C model targeting French enterprises and professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smart Formation is a French professional training company that delivers language courses (English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic) and IT skills training (Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, web programming) to enterprises and individual learners in France. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, it operates with 11-50 employees and a network of 30+ trainers, offering both in-person and remote sessions.

Product overview

Smart Formation is a professional training services company (organisme de formation) established in 1987, offering language and IT/bureautique training programs primarily for corporate clients in the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines region. The core offering consists of language training programs (English, German, Spanish, Italian, French as Foreign Language, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic) and IT training programs (Microsoft Office Suite including Excel/VBA/Power BI, Adobe Creative Suite, web programming). Training is delivered through multiple formats: face-to-face, telephone, video conference, e-learning, immersion, and blended learning. Specialized workshops include The Smart Package (comprehensive blended training), The Sound Workshop (listening comprehension), The Pronunciation Workshop, The Accent Specialist, and The Lunch Break. The company also serves as an authorized testing center for certifications including TOEIC, LINGUASKILL, TOSA, ENI, CLOE, and Pipplet FLEX. All training is Qualiopi certified and CPF-eligible.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Language Training Tailored language courses covering English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, delivered to enterprise clients and their employees through in-person and remote formats.
• IT Skills Training
• Individual CPF-Funded Training Personal-use training courses funded through the French Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF), available to individual learners seeking to upskill in languages or IT.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94.18% overall satisfaction rate in 2022
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Région Île-de-FranceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Smart Formation partnered with the Île-de-France Region and Pôle emploi to deliver an experimental English training program for 180 job seekers in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Versailles. The program combined regular language training with monthly English Club sessions to build professional English skills for employability.
• Pôle emploiflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In partnership with the Île-de-France Region, Smart Formation delivered an English training program for 180 job seekers. The program combined language training with practical English Club sessions to enhance professional communication skills and job market competitiveness.
• ETS GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETS Global is the authorized provider of TOEIC and Linguaskill tests in France. Smart Formation is a certified test center for these internationally recognized English proficiency assessments, enabling learners to earn certifications that are eligible for CPF financing.
• TOSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Formation is an authorized TOSA certification center for both Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook) and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) software skills assessments.
• ENI (École Nationale d'Informatique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Formation is an authorized ENI certification center for Microsoft Office software skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Windows 10, Office 365), enabling CPF-eligible certification for IT skills.
• CertifopaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertifopac is the certification body that conducted the audit and awarded Smart Formation its Qualiopi certification. This partnership validates Smart Formation's compliance with the national quality standards for training providers.
• OPCO (Organismes Paritaires de Collecte Agréés)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmart Formation works with multiple OPCOs including Fafiec, Agéfos, Opcareg, Intergros, and Forco for the collection and management of continuing professional training funds. These partnerships enable enterprises to finance employee training through their OPCO.
• Cambridge Assessment International EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner, Cambridge Assessment provides international language and education assessment frameworks that Smart Formation aligns with for its language training curricula and certifications.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cegos: Leading French corporate training organization offering professional development, IT, and language training programs to enterprises, with international reach. Directly comparable to Smart Formation as a French-headquartered Qualiopi-certified training provider serving enterprise HR and training managers.
• GoFluent: Global corporate language training provider combining live online instruction with AI-powered practice tools, serving enterprise clients worldwide. Comparable to Smart Formation's language training business but operates at significantly greater scale with proprietary technology.
• Learnlight: Corporate language and intercultural training provider serving global enterprises with virtual classroom delivery and proprietary learning platform. Comparable in target market (enterprise language training) and delivery format (remote/blended).
• Demos: Major French professional training group delivering management, IT, and language programs to enterprises. Comparable to Smart Formation in target customer (enterprise HR/training managers), Qualiopi certification, and CPF-eligible course catalog.
• Speexx: Enterprise language training platform offering blended learning, assessment, and skills development for corporate clients across Europe. Closely comparable to Smart Formation's blended Smart Package offering and enterprise sales motion.
• Global Knowledge: Worldwide IT and professional skills training provider covering vendor-authorized courses (Microsoft, Cisco, AWS) for enterprise and individual learners. Comparable to Smart Formation's IT training catalog and certification preparation services.
• Orsys: French IT and digital skills training specialist serving enterprise clients with Qualiopi-certified, CPF-eligible programs covering Microsoft, Adobe, and other software platforms. Direct competitor to Smart Formation's IT training business.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global language training, educational travel, and academic programs company with both consumer and corporate offerings. Overlaps with Smart Formation's language training business but operates at vastly larger scale across multiple segments.
• Wall Street English: Global English language training franchise network offering immersive language courses to individuals and corporate clients. Comparable in language training focus but operates primarily through consumer/individual franchise model versus Smart Formation's B2B-anchored approach.

Others

• CPF Formation: The official French CPF platform (MonCompteFormation) is the central marketplace where Smart Formation's individual-learner courses are listed and funded. Not a competitor but a critical ecosystem participant and primary customer acquisition channel for individual enrollees.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SmartFormationFr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-formation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Smart Formation