What DeakinCo does

DeakinCo is the commercial workplace learning and development arm of Deakin University, headquartered at Tower 2, Level 12, 727 Collins St, Docklands, Melbourne, with operations in Australia and India. The company delivers tailored workplace training programs, professional practice credentials (micro-credentials, stackable credentials, Graduate Certificates/Diplomas), vocational education and training under RTO 3752, and executive education (notably the Steward Leadership Edge at $3,995 AUD per participant). Its product portfolio is organized across three skill domains (soft, technical, leadership) with delivery via digital-first modular content, interactive webinars, self-directed short courses, and face-to-face workshops, including an MBA pathway through Recognition of Prior Learning into Deakin University degrees.

The company operates a direct B2B sales-led go-to-market targeting enterprise and mid-market organisations, with engagement delivered through needs assessment, capability gap analysis, and co-designed programs. Revenue is generated through quote-based professional services fees for organisational programs, credential assessment and issuance fees, and one-time enrolment fees for executive education. Customers include large Australian enterprises across retail (Coles Group, DECJUBA), financial services (CBA, ANZ, Bupa), agriculture (Nutrien Ag Solutions, 24,000+ employees), sport administration (Tennis Australia, partnership since 2006), engineering/consulting (Aurecon), automotive/insurance (RACV), and healthcare providers, plus a partnership with Indonesian government entity DAMRI.

DeakinCo's core competitive assets are its university parent affiliation (providing AQF-aligned qualifications, RTO 3752 accreditation, Deakin Business School faculty access), its ongoing research partnership with Deloitte Access Economics (producing the Business Return on Learning and Development study, the Learning Health Index diagnostic tool, and survey data on Australian skills gaps), and a stackable credential architecture that bridges micro-credentials to formal postgraduate qualifications. Its value proposition centres on measurably improving workforce capability, leadership pipelines, and retention through experiential learning integrated with academic rigour.

Name

DeakinCo

Legal name

DeakinCo.

Website

https://deakinco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DeakinCo is the commercial workplace learning arm of Deakin University, delivering tailored training programs, professional credentials, micro-credentials, vocational education, and executive education to enterprise and mid-market organisations across Australia and India through digital-first and experiential learning models.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Training & Professional Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Sales, Customer Service & Soft Skills Training (BPACANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Enterprise Applications & ERP/CRM (SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Workday) (EDABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Workplace learning programs
• Professional credentials
• Leadership development
• Executive education
• Vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Workplace Training Programs: Tailored workplace learning and development programs delivered to organisations on a contract basis. Programs span soft skills, technical skills, and leadership skills, and can be customised to organisational needs. Revenue is generated through program fees, which vary by scope, duration, and customisation level.
2. Professional Practice Credentials: Credential assessment and recognition services evaluating professional skills and capabilities. Credentials include micro-credentials, stackable credentials, and formal qualifications such as Graduate Certificate of Management and Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership. Revenue derived from assessment fees and credential issuance.
3. Executive Education Programs: Fee-for-program executive education such as the Steward Leadership Edge, priced at $3,995 AUD per participant. Programs include in-person sessions, online workshops, and optional academic credit pathway toward Deakin University's MBA.
4. Vocational Education and Training: RTO 3752 — vocational education and training services compliant with Australian VET regulations. Provides nationally recognised training and assessment against accredited qualifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DeakinCo designs and delivers tailored workplace learning programs, Professional Practice Credentials, and micro-credentials to enterprise and mid-market organisations, leveraging Deakin University's academic infrastructure and RTO 3752 accreditation. Programs span soft skills, technical skills, and leadership skills, and are delivered through blended digital and in-person formats, with pathways to formal qualifications such as the Graduate Certificate of Management, Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership, and MBA credits.

Product overview

DeakinCo is a university-affiliated workplace learning and development provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of training solutions. The core offerings include Workplace Training with a digital-first focus and Professional Practice Credentials for skill assessment. These are supported by three skills categories: Soft Skills (self-management, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, project management), Technical Skills, and Leadership Skills (adaptive mindsets, leading and developing people, driving strategic results). The portfolio also includes specialized programs such as Steward Leadership Edge (ESG-focused leadership), Micro-Credentials (compact nano-degrees), Clinical Leadership Programs for healthcare professionals, and Mini-MBA programs developed with enterprise clients like Coles. DeakinCo also publishes research white papers and hosts webinars as educational content resources. All services are delivered through RTO 3752 registration, enabling formal qualification pathways including Graduate Certificates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Workplace Training Tailored workplace learning programs with a digital-first focus, designed to deliver measurable learning ROI and drive organisational performance. Delivered to enterprise and mid-market organisations with content covering soft, technical, and leadership skills.
• Professional Practice Credentials Credential assessment and recognition services that evaluate, recognise, and uplift the current skills and capabilities of professionals. Aligned to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels where applicable and awarded as digital badges, covering both taught (knowledge acquisition) and applied (experiential) pathways.
• Soft Skills Programs Programs covering self-management, communication, teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, project management, and innovation skills for workplace effectiveness.
• Technical Skills Programs Programs addressing technical skill gaps with knowledge of tools, processes, and concepts needed to reach performance potential.
• Leadership Skills Programs Programs covering adaptive mindsets, leading and developing people, and driving strategic results to improve communication, motivation, delegation, and problem-solving skills.
• Steward Leadership Edge

Quantifiable outcome

• For every $1 invested in L&D per person, organisations can expect $4.70 in revenue per employee
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Deakin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeakinCo is the commercial workplace learning arm of Deakin University, leveraging the university's academic infrastructure, accreditation (RTO 3752), faculty, and MBA pathway. This is a foundational parent-subsidiary relationship providing DeakinCo with institutional credibility, AQF qualification authority, and access to Deakin Business School expertise.
• Deloitte Access EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing research partnership producing the annual DeakinCo. Research Series, including The Business Return on Learning and Development (2022) with findings on L&D ROI ($4.70 return per $1 invested), Learning Health Index (LHI) diagnostic tool, and survey data on Australian skills gaps and learning organisations.
• Tennis AustraliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2006, DeakinCo has partnered with Tennis Australia to design and deliver the Tennis Australia Master Club Professional Course — a Diploma of Leadership and Management for tennis coaches and club operators. The ten-month, twelve-unit program is reassessed bi-annually. Outcomes include 40% regional club membership growth and global business expansion for graduates.
• Coles GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeakinCo co-designed a 'mini-MBA' micro-credential program with Coles that integrates on-the-job learning with experiential assessment. The program requires evidence of practical skill application and has significantly increased employee engagement. 10-20% of participants go on to pursue a formal MBA or Master's degree.
• Commonwealth Bank of AustraliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBA partnered with DeakinCo to develop micro-credentials for essential human skills, leveraging DeakinCo's external recognition and program scalability. The program has been linked to staff retention and career mobility, serving as a 'carrot' for future-skilling.
• DECJUBAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeakinCo collaborated with DECJUBA (140+ store fashion retailer) to support leadership team expansion and learning culture development. Delivered the Graduate Certificate of Management combined with Professional Practice Credentials (Leadership), tailored for a small leadership cohort.
• Nutrien Ag SolutionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeakinCo partnered with Nutrien Ag Solutions (global agribusiness, 24,000+ employees) to build a global capability framework aligned to 2025 strategic goals, followed by three-level leadership programs. The framework expanded from Australian pilot to global rollout, enabling seamless talent sharing and consistent learning experience across countries.
• Stewardship Asia CentreflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre (Singapore), co-delivers the Steward Leadership Edge program with DeakinCo and Deakin Business School. Peshawaria brings 22 years of Fortune 100 experience (Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs) and developed the Steward Leadership Compass© model.
• DAMRIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeakinCo and DAMRI partnership announced August 2024, focused on driving more women into leadership roles. DAMRI is a government/transport organisation; the partnership addresses gender diversity in leadership through targeted development initiatives.
• Deakin Business School FacultycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeakin Business School professors contribute to DeakinCo programs: Fara Azmat (Associate Professor, sustainability/SDGs), Michael Bray (Professor of Practice, Integrated Reporting; former IFRS/IIRC), Andrew Noblet (Professor, Organisational Behaviour; workplace mental health researcher), and Mike Bengough (Lecturer; former NAB senior manager).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Coursera for Business: Enterprise arm of Coursera offering university-backed credentials, professional certificates, and degree pathways to organisations. Directly comparable to DeakinCo's university-affiliated, credential-led model.
• Skillsoft: Enterprise corporate learning company providing content, credentials, and leadership development to large organisations. Competes for enterprise L&D budget, particularly in technical and leadership skills.
• Korn Ferry: Global organisational consulting firm with a substantial leadership and professional development practice. Competes with DeakinCo in enterprise leadership development engagements, particularly for ASX 100 clients.
• FranklinCovey: Global leadership and effectiveness training company delivering signature programs (e.g., The 7 Habits) to enterprise and government clients. Overlaps with DeakinCo's leadership and soft skills offerings.
• LinkedIn Learning: Microsoft-owned enterprise L&D platform with a vast content library and skill assessment capabilities. Competes with DeakinCo for corporate L&D budget, particularly for technical and soft skills content delivered at scale.

Direct peers

• Dale Carnegie Training: Global training provider focused on leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills for enterprise and mid-market clients. Comparable offering mix to DeakinCo's soft skills and leadership programs.
• Australian Institute of Management (AIM): Australia's largest dedicated enterprise L&D provider, offering short courses, leadership programs, and professional credentials to corporate clients. Most directly comparable competitor in the Australian workplace training market.
• Cirrus: Australian corporate training provider specialising in leadership, sales, and customer experience programs for enterprise clients. Comparable in GTM motion, customer base, and program customisation model.
• GP Strategies: Global performance improvement solutions provider delivering custom enterprise learning, leadership development, and credentialing programs. Closely comparable delivery model to DeakinCo.
• BTS Group: Global professional services firm specialising in leadership development, sales transformation, and strategy execution for Fortune 500 clients. Comparable in consultative enterprise delivery and leadership program focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DeakinCo

Compliance2 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 DeakinCo