European Learning Industry Group (ELIG)

What European Learning Industry Group (ELIG) does

The European Learning Industry Group (ELIG) is a Hamburg-headquartered not-for-profit industry alliance operating through ELIG Foundation gGmbH. It was founded in 2002 in Dublin as the eLearning Industry Group in partnership with European Commissioner Viviane Reding and rebranded in 2007 to European Learning Industry Group as it broadened beyond eLearning to encompass the wider publishing, content, and learning ecosystem. The organization convenes European publishing, technology, and education services companies alongside public and private educational institutions to coordinate public-private partnerships in digital learning, producing research, running annual conferences, and engaging EU policymakers. ELIG Foundation gGmbH was launched in April 2016 as the legal not-for-profit vehicle to carry out initiatives, and the organization is acknowledged as a tax-privileged corporation by the German state tax authority of Hamburg.

ELIG does not develop proprietary technology products. Instead it coordinates a portfolio of initiatives including we.learn.it (a European network for exploratory school learning), HoTEL (workplace learning trends), VISIR (ICT-based eSkills development and best-practice database), CRe-AM (creative industries roadmapping), openSE and openED (open education and OER/MOOCs), New Learning Spaces (Espoo Innovation Triangle), INNOENTRE (an Erasmus+ funded federated educational platform), and the Classroom of the Future, a long-standing partnership with the Frankfurt Book Fair. The ELIG Conference Series has rotated across Stockholm (2013), London (2014), Berlin (2015), Paris (2016), Aarhus (2017), Amsterdam (2019), and Espoo (2020), drawing 120-165+ senior attendees. The organization also publishes the ELIG Book Series on Advances in Digital Education and Lifelong Learning with Emerald Publishing and UNU-MERIT.

The revenue model is membership contributions collected through ELIG Foundation gGmbH on a not-for-profit basis, supplemented by conference sponsorships (Gold, Silver, Platinum tiers) and EU program grants. Members include major technology firms (Microsoft, IBM, Samsung), publishers (Pearson, John Wiley and Sons), educational institutions (Aalto University, Stockholm University, Aarhus University, IMD, BPP), and design and event partners (Steelcase, Vitra, Frankfurt Book Fair, ICWE). The organization is governed by an ELIG Board chaired by Fadi A. Khalek of Pearson with Paul Hunter of IMD as Vice Chair, supported by an Advisory Board, ELIG Fellows, and a small operational team in Hamburg.

Name

European Learning Industry Group (ELIG)

Legal name

ELIG Foundation gGmbH (not-for-profit)

Website

https://elig.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

European Learning Industry Group (ELIG) is a Hamburg-based not-for-profit industry alliance founded in 2002 that convenes European publishing, technology, and education companies alongside universities to coordinate public-private partnerships in digital learning through annual conferences, research initiatives, and EU policy engagement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

Keywords

• Education industry consortium
• Learning innovation initiatives
• Industry alliance membership
• Public-private education partnerships
• Learning industry conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: ELIG Foundation gGmbH handles all operational and financial transactions including issuing and collecting ELIG member contributions and other income. All activities are carried out on a not-for-profit basis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ELIG is a not-for-profit membership-based industry alliance that coordinates a portfolio of public-private partnership initiatives, programs, and conferences to advance digital learning innovation across Europe. The organization operates concrete programs (we.learn.it, HoTEL, VISIR, CRe-AM, openSE & openED, INNOENTRE, Classroom of the Future), an annual conference series, and publications (including the ELIG Book Series with Emerald Publishing) for its members drawn from publishing, technology, services, universities, and public-sector education institutions.

Product overview

ELIG (European Learning Industry Group) is a not-for-profit alliance of companies and institutions in the education sector. Rather than offering a single product, ELIG coordinates a portfolio of public-private partnership initiatives and programs including: we.learn.it (network for exploratory learning in schools), HoTEL (workplace learning trends), VISIR (eSkills development), New Learning Spaces (regional development), CRe-AM (creative industries roadmapping), openSE & openED (open education), INNOENTRE (entrepreneurship in higher education), the Classroom of the Future (partnership with Frankfurt Book Fair), and the ELIG Conference Series. The organization also publishes research through its book series on digital education and lifelong learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• we.learn.it A network of European school children, teachers and facilitators for exploratory and creative real-life learning experiences, building on cloud and social technologies. Target audience: schools, teachers, and education facilitators.
• HoTEL (Holistic approach to Technology-Enhanced Learning) Understanding trends affecting learning at work by using design-driven and innovative methods in a Learning Exploratorium Lab. Target audience: workplace learning and corporate L&D stakeholders.
• VISIR Building a grassroots vision from innovative current cases of ICT for learning, supporting European eSkills Vision and Quality development. Target audience: European eSkills and ICT-for-learning stakeholders.
• New Learning Spaces European regional and city development initiative on new learning spaces, supporting the Espoo Digital Cluster development in Finland. Target audience: regional authorities and city development partners.
• CRe-AM (Creativity Research Adaptive roadmap) Bridging communities of creators with technology providers and innovators through strategic intelligence and roadmapping efforts for creative industries including art, culture, publishing, and design. Target audience: creative industries and technology providers.
• Classroom of the Future / The LAB Partnership with Frankfurt Book Fair presenting a laboratory of ideas exploring the future of learning, covering topics such as AI, digital learning methods, explorative learning and creative learning with digital media. Target audience: schools, teachers, publishers, and education professionals.
• ELIG Conference Series Annual conferences held in European cities bringing together 120-165+ education, policy, and industry leaders, academics and entrepreneurs. Target audience: member companies, educational institutions, policy makers.
• ELIG Book Series (Advances in Digital Education and Lifelong Learning) Publications on Advances in Digital Education and Lifelong Learning published in partnership with Emerald Publishing and United Nations University UNU-MERIT, including volumes on Openness and Education and Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Education. Target audience: researchers, practitioners, and member organizations.
• openSE & openED (Open Education Initiative) Open Education initiative focusing on making education and learning possibilities openly accessible through OER, MOOCs, peer exchange, and online collaboration. Target audience: learners, educators, and open-education advocates.

Named customers15 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

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Frankfurt Book FaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Frankfurt Book Fair Education area and ELIG regarding 'The LAB' (formerly 'Classroom of the Future'). 7,384 exhibitors from 100 countries make Frankfurt the international hub of the publishing world. The partnership focuses on exploring future of learning through artificial intelligence, new digital learning methods, explorative and creative learning with digital media.
• ICWE / Online Educa BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICWE is an international events and media company specializing in large-scale events like Online Educa Berlin and eLearning Africa. The partnership continues through these events and other common engagements.
• Peter Drucker Society / Global Drucker ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeter Drucker Society of Austria brings together management thinkers and practitioners. Partnership continues through the annual Global Drucker Forum.
• EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFMD has over 800 member organizations from academia, business, public service and consultancy in 81 countries. Partnership continues through collaborative publications and events.
• Emerald PublishingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal publisher linking research and practice to benefit society, managing over 290 journals and 2000 book titles. Partnership through ELIG Book Series 'Advances in Digital Education and Lifelong Learning' in collaboration with United Nations University UNU-MERIT.
• SynLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynLab designs and spreads meaningful learning innovations to reduce scholastic underperformance and improve well-being and civic engagement of young people. Joint research work, field experimentation, and teacher training collaborations in France and abroad.
• EdFab / Cap DigitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital cluster organization of the City of Paris, co-organizer of ELIG Conference 2016 'Learning Places of the Future' at Campus Condorcet.
• IBMcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver Sponsor of ELIG Conference 2017 in Aarhus. IBM Global Education & Learning Industry represented on ELIG Board.
• Aarhus UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for ELIG Conference 2017, Center for Teaching Development and Digital Media involved in teacher training workshops.
• Dokk1 Urban Mediaspace AarhuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamed World's Best Public Library of 2016, visited by 1 million people per year. Host venue for ELIG Conference 2017 Day 2 plenary sessions.
• Godsbanen Center for Cultural ProductioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer goods station turned into creative venue in Aarhus, host for ELIG Conference 2017 Day 1 workshops and evening reception.
• United Nations University (UNU-MERIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-editors and contributors to ELIG Book 'Openness and Education' and subsequent book series volumes.
• European Committee of the RegionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELIG contributes to Education Committee activities, including spring meeting in Espoo Finland and conference on Innovation Union goals. Advisor to Espoo Innovation Triangle (T3) development.
• UNESCOminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerwe.learn.it participated in Mobile Learning Week 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
• OECDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in we.learn.it initiative on creativity and exploratory learning for schools.
• SamsungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor of ELIG Conference 2015 Berlin, Board member, partner in Classroom of the Future and we.learn.it initiatives.
• SteelcasecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Sponsor of ELIG Conference 2015 Berlin, Gold Sponsor of Conference 2014 London, partner in workshops on learning spaces.
• HP (Hewlett Packard)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped hybrid schoolbook jointly with ELIG for Classroom of the Future at Frankfurt Book Fair.
• LEGO EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Classroom of the Future featuring robots and coding education.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• EDUCAUSE: Largest higher-education IT association in the US. Comparable in mission (advancing technology-enabled learning through community, advocacy, and events) but operates at significantly larger scale and primarily serves the US market.
• Global Education Management Systems (GEMS Education): Large private K-12 education operator with significant digital learning initiatives. Broader incumbent in the European education industry landscape that intersects with ELIG's members and initiatives around future-of-learning themes.
• European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI): Pan-European educational research society advancing the study of learning and instruction. Comparable as a Europe-wide academic-industry convening body in education with overlapping academic membership base.

Direct peers

• European Schoolnet: Network of 34 European education ministries focused on innovation in teaching and learning. Comparable as a Europe-wide education coordination organization connecting public-sector and industry stakeholders around digital learning.
• European Distance and e-Learning Network (EDEN): Pan-European professional association for open, distance, and e-learning. Directly comparable as a European membership network serving academics, practitioners, and institutions in the digital learning space, with shared leadership on ELIG's Advisory Board.
• Towards Maturity: Research-driven learning benchmarking organization founded by Laura Overton (an ELIG Advisory Board member). Comparable as a learning innovation research and practitioner community operating in the same European digital learning space.
• European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD): Brussels-based membership organization with 800+ member organizations across academia, business, and consultancy. Directly comparable as a pan-European education industry alliance with similar convening role and formal partnership with ELIG.
• Online Educa Berlin (ICWE): Major annual conference on technology-enhanced learning in Europe. Comparable as a major European e-learning event organizer; ICWE is also an ELIG board member and operational partner, making it a tight peer relationship.

Regional players

• Peter Drucker Society Europe / Global Drucker Forum: Management education society and annual forum. Comparable as a Vienna-based learning/management thought leadership platform with formal partnership ties to ELIG; shares focus on management learning but with narrower thematic scope.

Emerging players

• Internet Time Alliance: Consultancy alliance focused on modern workplace learning, directed by Charles Jennings (ELIG Advisory Board member). Comparable as a thought-leadership network in the learning innovation space with overlapping advisor connections.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eulearning
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCA1_sQjD7NCvnh62_7z-kOQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elig-the-european-learning-industry-group
• Facebookfacebook.com/eligeulearning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles32 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Learning Industry Group (ELIG)