What Ucert does

UCERT is a Greek certification body that operates two business lines: certification of natural persons (ICT and vocational qualifications) and certification of organisational management systems against ISO standards. Its natural person portfolio covers five competency tiers — Standard Office User, Advanced Office User, Enhanced ICT User, Specialized Professional User, and Port and Land Docker — with 142-513 ESYD-accredited schemes depending on the reporting date, making it the largest certification body in Greece by number of accredited schemes. Its organisational portfolio spans seven ISO standards: ISO 9001 (quality), ISO/IEC 27001 (information security), ISO/IEC 27701 (privacy), ISO 37001 (anti-bribery), ISO 21001 (educational organisations), ISO 29993 (learning services outside formal education), and ISO 22301 (business continuity). UCERT was the first body accredited by ESYD under ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 for ISO 21001 and ISO 29993 certifications.

UCERT's underlying technology consists of an in-house computer-based examination system developed in collaboration with the Research Centre of the University of Piraeus. The system delivers case study, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and hot spot questions, with a distinct feature that re-examination question sets differ from original attempts to preserve assessment integrity. Supporting platforms include the public portal (public.ucert.gr) for exam search and certificate validity verification, and a partner management system (my.dgroup.edu.gr) used by certified examination centres.

The business model is dual: one-time examination fees from individual candidates routed through a network of certified examination centres across Greece and Cyprus, and recurring audit and certification fees from organisations seeking ISO management system certification. Distribution is primarily through certified examination centres and training providers (KEK), supplemented by an exclusive partnership with Frederick University in Cyprus. UCERT functions as the certification arm of D Group, a seven-business-unit educational conglomerate founded by Dr. Dimitrios Derpanis with 2,900 sqm of Athens campus space. The company holds EOPPEP recognition for public sector recruitment validity (decision 416/31-07-2020) and ESYD accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024:2012, with 251-500 employees across offices in Athens, Heraklion, Grevena, and Limassol.

Name

Ucert

Legal name

UCERT

Website

https://ucert.gr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

UCERT is Greece's largest ESYD-accredited certification body, offering 142-513 accredited natural-person ICT certification schemes and seven ISO management system certifications across Greece and Cyprus, operating as the certification arm of D Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Personnel and Management Systems Certification Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Programmatic Accreditors (Discipline/Profession-Specific) (EDADACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Regional/Institutional Accreditors (Universities & Colleges) (EDADACAA)

Keywords

• Personnel certification services
• ISO management systems certification
• ICT skills certification
• Accredited examination services
• Professional certification body

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Person Certification Examinations: UCERT generates revenue by conducting and administering certification examinations for natural persons across multiple accreditation schemes (including Standard Office User, Advanced Office User, Enhanced ICT User, Specialized Professional User, and Port and Land Docker). Candidates pay examination fees through certified examination centres.
2. Management Systems Certification: UCERT provides certification services for organisations against ISO management system standards (ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 37001, ISO 21001, ISO 29993, ISO 22301), generating revenue from certification audit and issuance fees.
3. Examination Centre Network Fees: UCERT partners with a network of certified examination centres and training providers across Greece and Cyprus, generating revenue through the accreditation and ongoing operational relationship with these centres.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ucert is an ESYD-accredited Greek certification body that administers certification examinations for natural persons across 513 accredited schemes (Standard/Advanced Office User, Enhanced ICT User, Specialized Professional User, and Port and Land Docker) and audits organisations against seven ISO management system standards (ISO 9001, 27001, 27701, 37001, 21001, 29993, 22301). Candidates are examined through a network of certified examination centres using a proprietary computer-based testing platform co-developed with the University of Piraeus, while organisations receive audit and certification services for ISO compliance.

Product overview

UCERT operates as a certification body offering two primary categories of certification services: (1) Certification of Natural Persons — 513 accredited schemes across five competency tiers (Standard Office User, Advanced Office User, Enhanced ICT User, Specialized Professional User, and Port and Land Docker), covering entry-level to expert-level professional skills; and (2) Management Systems Certification — seven ISO management system certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 37001, ISO 21001, ISO 29993, ISO 22301) for organizational compliance. Supporting the certification process, UCERT provides a platform of digital tools including the my.dgroup.edu.gr partner management system, public Exam Search and Examination Centre Search tools, a Certificate Validity Check system, and a Certified Persons Register. UCERT was the first certification body accredited by ESYD according to ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 for ISO 21001 and ISO 29993, and holds recognition from EOPPEP. The company is part of the D Group educational group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certification of Natural Persons Schemes Accredited certification schemes for individual professionals, covering multiple competency levels from basic office computing to specialised professional skills. Includes 513 accredited schemes across five tiers: Standard Office User, Advanced Office User, Enhanced ICT User, Specialized Professional User, and Port and Land Docker.
• Standard Office User Certification Entry-level certification validating basic computer knowledge and office software operation skills. Recognised by EOPPEP and accredited by ESYD; accepted for Greek public sector recruitment through ASEP procedures.
• Advanced Office User Certification Intermediate-level certification covering advanced office software skills and competencies needed for more demanding professional environments.
• Enhanced ICT User Certification Advanced ICT certification providing a competitive advantage in the job market by validating enhanced information and communications technology skills.
• Specialized Professional User Certification Advanced knowledge and skills certification covering a broad range of specialised professional modules and thematic areas for expert-level competency demonstration.
• Port and Land Docker Certification Specialised certification for port and land cargo handling personnel, approved by EOPPEP for the certification of professional training of docker workers.
• Management Systems Certification Accredited certification services for organisational management systems across seven ISO standards, enabling organisations to demonstrate compliance with quality, security, privacy, anti-bribery, continuity, and educational standards.
• ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification Certification for organisational quality management systems based on the ISO 9001 standard, ensuring consistent quality in products and services.
• ISO 27001 Information Security Management System Certification Certification for information security management systems based on the ISO/IEC 27001 standard, validating the protection of organisational information assets.
• ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management System Certification Certification for privacy information management systems extending ISO 27001, addressing personal data protection and privacy compliance requirements.
• ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System Certification

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AccessCoVE (Erasmus+ Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2023UCERT is one of 22 partners from 4 European countries (Greece, Sweden, Spain, and Italy) in the AccessCoVE (European Centre of Vocational Excellence for Accessibility) project. UCERT is tasked with designing professional profiles for Accessibility Consultant and Accessibility Certifier roles, along with corresponding certification schemes to be evaluated and accredited by ESYD, with remote invigilation and certificate issuance.
• OCN LondonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2022UCERT cooperates with OCN London, which offers English language certifications in Greece. OCN London certifications are listed alongside UCERT's certification offerings on the UCERT website under the Cooperations section.
• Frederick University (Cyprus)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2020UCERT entered into an exclusive collaboration with Frederick University, a private university operating in Cyprus (EU member state). UCERT handles the promotion of Frederick University's in-person and distance learning undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, and from 01/01/2021 UCERT became the exclusive partner of Frederick University in Greece. The collaboration was the culmination of years of successful cooperation between the two institutions.
• University of Piraeus (Research Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2020UCERT's examination system was designed and developed in collaboration with the Research Centre of the University of Piraeus, incorporating the company's experience and deep understanding of real customer needs, with a focus on usability and friendliness for both users and partner entrepreneurs.
• D GroupcoreOthers · 11 September 2020UCERT is a member of the D Group, an education and certification group led by Dr. Dimitris Derpanis. The group operates campuses in Athens totalling 2,900 sqm (including 1,200 sqm owned), with 7 business units, and is described as the most dynamically developing entity in the education, professional training, and human resources and management systems certification sectors in Greece.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DNV: International accredited certification body issuing ISO management-system certificates across industries. Comparable to Ucert's organisational certification business as a global incumbent.
• TÜV Rheinland: Major international TIC body offering ISO management-system audits and personnel certification services. Comparable as a broad incumbent that competes with Ucert's ISO certification business for both Greek and multinational clients.
• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC firm providing ISO 9001/27001/22301 and other management-system certification services. Comparable to Ucert's organisational management-system certification line as a broad incumbent with international reach.
• Pearson VUE: Global computer-based testing and certification delivery network for professional and IT certifications. Comparable to Ucert's computer-based examination platform and partner-centre network as an incumbent testing delivery provider.
• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) giant that issues ISO management-system certifications (ISO 9001, 27001, etc.) and personnel certifications across multiple sectors. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same management-system certification space that Ucert addresses in Greece.
• SGS: World's largest TIC company with broad ISO management-system certification offerings. Comparable to Ucert as a broad incumbent competing in the same ISO certification category.

Direct peers

• Certiport: Provider of IT and digital-literacy certification exams (Microsoft Office Specialist, IC3, etc.) delivered through authorised testing centres. Directly comparable to Ucert's Standard/Advanced/Enhanced ICT User certification and examination-centre model.
• ICDL Foundation (ECDL): Global digital-skills certification body whose ICDL/ECDL modules cover office and ICT skills directly comparable to Ucert's Standard/Advanced/Enhanced ICT User certifications. A direct peer in the person certification for digital literacy category.

Regional players

• EQA Hellas: Greek-based certification body offering ISO management-system certification services. Comparable as a regional peer directly competing with Ucert in the Greek ISO certification market.
• TÜV Hellas (TÜV NORD GROUP): Greek arm of TÜV NORD providing ISO management-system certification and related services domestically. Comparable as a regional peer competing with Ucert in the Greek organisational certification market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance9 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 Ucert