CREAD

What CREAD does

CREAD is a private French higher education institution specializing in interior architecture, founded in 1972 and operated by GROUPE EDH SAS (a Paris-registered société par actions simplifiée). The school delivers a 5-year post-Bac program leading to a French state-recognized RNCP Level 7 certification (equivalent to bac+5/Master's level) and targets three customer segments: high school graduates entering through alternative pathways outside Parcoursup, career changers over 25 via the CREAD Pro 9-month program, and international students through Erasmus+ exchanges. The school reports 1,250 current students, 3,000+ alumni, and 10 campuses across France (Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Aix-en-Provence, Nantes, Montpellier, Rennes, Nice, Tours).

CREAD's core technology is project-based pedagogy combining traditional drawing, physical model-making (maquette), and digital tools (3D modeling, rendering, and PAO software) taught exclusively by practicing interior architects. The revenue model is tuition-driven: annual fees of €8,650-€9,170 for the 5-year program plus €500 (EU) / €1,750 (non-EU) registration fees, supplemented by CREAD Pro fees (CPF-eligible), VAE validation fees, and partner sponsorships. Go-to-market is event-driven and direct-to-consumer: open days, webconferences, discovery workshops, personalized appointments, and salon participation.

The school operates as part of a diversified educational group (GROUPE EDH) alongside sister brands including EFAP, ICART, EFJ, and BRASSART. CREAD has built an ecosystem of industry partnerships (UNAID, Saguez & Partners, Patriarche, Atelier Giffon, Cosentino, Interface, EGGER, VEKA, ALMET, HUBLER) supporting internships and pre-graduation job placements. The school maintains an Eduniversal 3rd-place national ranking in 'Design & Architecture d'Intérieur' for two consecutive years (2025-2026). Financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

CREAD

Legal name

GROUPE EDH SAS

Website

https://cread.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CREAD is a private French higher education institution specializing in interior architecture, founded in 1972. It operates 10 campuses across France, delivering a 5-year RNCP Level 7-certified program, CREAD Pro professional training for career changers, and VAE certification validation, serving approximately 1,250 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Interior Architecture Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Interior architecture education
• Professional design training
• Higher education programs
• Career conversion training
• RNCP certified programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees - General curriculum: Annual tuition fees for the 5-year interior architecture program, ranging from €8,650 to €9,170 per year depending on year of study. Additional registration fees of €500 (EU students) or €1,750 (non-EU students) for first enrollment.
2. CREAD Pro professional training: 9-month intensive professional training program for adults (25+) seeking career conversion into interior architecture. Eligible for CPF and state financial aid.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CREAD is a private higher education institution that delivers interior architecture training through a 5-year post-Bac program leading to RNCP Level 7 certification, supplemented by 9-month professional training programs for adult career changers. The curriculum covers architectural design, materials, digital tools (PAO/3D modeling), scenography, project management, and environmental awareness, with 14 months of integrated internships across the 5-year cycle. Teaching is delivered exclusively by practicing interior architects across 10 campuses in France.

Product overview

CREAD is an interior architecture school offering a comprehensive educational portfolio comprising a 5-year undergraduate-to-master's level program in interior architecture (CREAD Formation Architecture Intérieure) with RNCP Level 7 certification, supplemented by CREAD Pro professional training programs for career conversion (Architecture d'Intérieur and Décoration d'Intérieur, 9 months each), VAE certification validation, and CREAD Lab professional networking events. The institution operates 10 campuses across France and provides digital resources including webconferences, discovery workshops, and portfolio guidance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CREAD Formation Architecture Intérieure A 5-year post-Bac program in interior architecture leading to RNCP Level 7 professional certification (equivalent to Master's level). The curriculum covers architectural culture, design, materials, conception, regulatory issues, digital tools (PAO), and project management, with 14 months of mandatory internships integrated across the program. Designed for high school graduates pursuing interior architecture careers.
• CREAD Pro Formation Architecture d'Intérieur A 9-month intensive professional training program registered at RNCP Level 7 for adults aged 25+ seeking career conversion into interior architecture. Targets decorators, home stagers, and professionals in decoration, interior design, or construction seeking to advance or transition their careers. CPF and state financial aid eligible.
• CREAD Pro Formation Décoration d'Intérieur A professional training program in interior decoration for adults seeking to develop or enhance their skills in interior design and decoration. Part of the CREAD Pro professional training division.
• CREAD VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) Validation of prior professional experience allowing individuals to obtain official RNCP certification based on their existing professional background and achievements, without completing the full training program.
• CREAD Lab A professional exchange space hosting industry experts including interior architects, designers, and decorators for networking, knowledge sharing, and industry engagement with students and alumni.

Quantifiable outcome

• Some graduates receive CDI job offers before graduation through school's partner network
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UNAID (Union Nationale des Architectes d'Intérieur, Designers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with the national union of interior architects and designers. UNAID organized a professional salon at CREAD Lyon campus in 2022, strengthening ties between students and industry professionals.
• RichardsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for student projects and industry exposure in interior architecture sector.
• InterfaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for student projects related to sustainable flooring and interior materials.
• Atelier GiffonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPremium mountain interior architecture agency hosting CREAD students for internships, specializing in high-end projects.
• SLVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for lighting solutions and professional equipment in interior architecture projects.
• Saguez and PartnersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrestigious design agency providing internship opportunities for CREAD students.
• CosentinominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for surface materials (stone, quartz, porcelain) used in interior architecture projects.
• EGGERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for wood-based materials and surfaces used in interior design projects.
• ALMETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in aluminum and stainless steel sales in France, partnered for 2023 Workshop designing Batimat trade show booth.
• HUBLERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistributor of decorative panels in natural materials, partnered for 2023 Workshop designing Batimat trade show booth.
• VEKAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner of windows, doors & sliding sections, partnered for 2023 Workshop designing Batimat trade show booth.
• MobArt AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural association founded by three schools at Aix campus (CREAD, BRASSART, EFAP) to promote art, culture, and showcase student work.
• Les Compagnons du DevoirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Toulouse campus students to collaborate on professional interior architecture projects.
• Erasmus+ Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange program allowing students to study abroad for semesters at partner institutions worldwide, enriching their international perspective.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Strate École de Design: Private French design school near Paris offering industrial design, product design, and related programs. Comparable private post-bac French design school competing for the same prospective student segment.
• École Camondo: Paris-based private school dedicated to interior design and industrial design, awarding a Master's-level diploma recognized by the French state. Closely comparable in curriculum depth, prestige positioning, and interior design specialization.
• ENSCI-Les Ateliers: Public French école supérieure dedicated to industrial design, located in Paris. Competes with CREAD for design-oriented bac+5 students and is ranked alongside CREAD in Eduniversal's design specialty rankings.
• LISAA (L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués): Private French applied arts school with interior architecture and design programs across multiple French campuses. Comparable target segment (post-bac students), pricing model, and multi-campus strategy.
• ESAD de Reims (École Supérieure d'Art et de Design): French public school of art and design with interior architecture programs in Reims. Comparable curricular focus on interior design and architecture at French post-bac level, with similar target audience.
• Pennighen (ESAG Penninghen): Private French school of applied arts and interior architecture offering programs from bachelor to master's level in Paris. Most directly comparable to CREAD in program scope, RNCP-equivalent certification, and target student profile.

Others

• BRASSART: Sister school within GROUPE EDH SAS offering applied arts and design programs. Operates under the same parent entity, sharing MobArt association and cross-promotion at the Aix campus; adjacent rather than direct competition.

Regional players

• HEAD Genève (Haute école d'art et de design): Public Geneva-based design school offering interior architecture and related programs. Comparable in academic rigor and design specialization but Swiss geography limits direct French competition.
• ECAL (École cantonale d'art de Lausanne): Leading Swiss design and interior architecture school based in Lausanne. Comparable academic level and interior design specialization but operates in a different national market; potential benchmark for CREAD's premium positioning.

Broad incumbents

• École Boulle: Historic Paris public school for applied arts, design, and craftsmanship, including interior architecture programs. Comparable curriculum scope but public, lower-cost, and broader art-and-design portfolio than CREAD's interior-only focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQrT-zk0Yts9i9ERNecZc8Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/creadofficiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cread
• Instagraminstagram.com/cread_officiel
• TikToktiktok.com/@cread_officiel?lang=fr
• Xx.com/cread_officiel

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 CREAD