Gea College

What Gea College does

GEA College (legal entity GEA College d.d.) is a privately-held Slovenian higher education group headquartered in Ljubljana, operating across four wholly-owned entities: the Faculty of Entrepreneurship (3-year undergraduate and 2-year master's programmes), the Centre of Vocational Schools (2-year higher vocational programmes), an Incubator and consulting arm, and the UPI Foundation for entrepreneurial education. The institution delivers 17 study programmes spanning entrepreneurship, management, digital marketing, information and cyber security, vocational business, IT, hospitality and design, plus an international MBA delivered in partnership with the University of New York in Prague (UNYP).

Its technology backbone is an e-learning platform (e-učilnica) and electronic student index (e-referat) that provides 24/7 access to recorded lectures, study materials, assignments, discussion forums and remote exams; a separate Research Institute hosts a Neuromarketing Laboratory for applied neuroscience studies. Distribution combines on-campus delivery at the single Ljubljana site with self-serve online study and direct B2B corporate training delivered on-site or online. International reach is achieved via Erasmus+ mobility with 60+ partner institutions (including Northwood University) and the UNYP MBA channel.

Revenue is generated from six streams: recurring tuition for undergraduate and graduate programmes, MBA fees through UNYP, professional certifications (digital marketing, Quality Manager via SZKO/EOQ, NPK real estate), customised corporate training (START SMART, GROW UP, Quality Manager), NPK real estate supplementary training (a regulatory renewal requirement in Slovenia), and incubator-related services. The institution is NAKVIS- and FIBAA-accredited, EU- and Ministry-funded under the 2025-2029 START2GROW programme, and holds a WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility certification. Customer segments centre on Slovenian high-school graduates, working professionals, and corporate clients; it is exposed to Slovenia's demographic and labour-market dynamics.

Name

Gea College

Legal name

GEA College d.d.

Website

https://gea-college.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GEA College is a privately-held Slovenian higher education group operating the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, a Centre of Vocational Schools, an incubator, and a research institute, delivering undergraduate, master's, vocational, MBA (via UNYP), and corporate training programmes across 17 study tracks to domestic high-school graduates, working professionals, and Slovenian enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Business and Secretarial Schools (61141), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH), Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC), Management Research Institutes & Doctoral (PhD/DBA) Programs (EDAHAHAO)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Entrepreneurship training
• Professional certification programs
• Business school programs
• Corporate training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ljubljana

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Undergraduate Programs: Revenue from 3-year undergraduate programs at the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and 2-year higher vocational programs at the Centre of Vocational Schools.
2. Tuition Fees - Graduate Programs: Revenue from 2-year master's programs (Entrepreneurial Management, Crisis Management, Digital Management) at the Faculty of Entrepreneurship.
3. MBA Program: International MBA program in partnership with UNYP (University of New York in Prague), generating revenue through tuition fees.
4. Professional Certifications: Digital marketing certificate programs, Quality Manager certification (in partnership with SZKO/EOQ), and real estate agent (NPK) certification training.
5. Corporate Training: Customized training programs for companies including START SMART and GROW UP entrepreneurship training modules, Quality Manager training, and other professional development programs.
6. Real Estate Agent Certification: NPK training and supplementary training for real estate agents, as required by Slovenian law every five years.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

GEA College is a private higher education institution in Slovenia that delivers undergraduate (3-year) and graduate (2-year master's) degree programs through its Faculty of Entrepreneurship, 2-year higher vocational programs through its Centre of Vocational Schools, an international MBA in partnership with UNYP, professional certification programs (Quality Manager, Digital Marketing, Real Estate Agent NPK), corporate training, and a startup incubator. Programs are delivered through campus-based instruction at its Ljubljana campus and via an e-learning platform supporting flexible study for working professionals.

Product overview

GEA College is a boutique educational institution with 35 years of tradition in business education, offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs through two main academic units: the Faculty of Entrepreneurship (undergraduate and master's degree programs in entrepreneurship, management, digital marketing, and cybersecurity) and the Centre of Vocational Schools (2-year higher vocational programs in business, IT, hospitality, and creative fields). The institution also offers an MBA program in partnership with UNYP, professional certification programs (Quality Manager, Digital Marketing, Real Estate Agent NPK), and business support services including an incubator, career center, and research institute with a neuromarketing laboratory. Additional services include international exchange programs with 60+ partner institutions, academic conferences (ABSRC), and customized corporate training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GEA College Incubator: Business incubator providing entrepreneurial workshops, incubation for startups, and programmes like Young Entrepreneur and PROGRAM 100i
• ABSRC Conference
• ABSRJ Journal
• GEA Top Talenti
• Neuromarketing Laboratory

Products and services

• Faculty of Entrepreneurship (Fakulteta za podjetništvo) Higher education unit delivering 3-year undergraduate programs (Entrepreneurship; Entrepreneurship and Management; Digital Marketing; Information and Cyber Security) and 2-year master's programs (Entrepreneurial Management; Crisis Management; Digital Management) for students seeking practical business and entrepreneurial education.
• Centre of Vocational Schools (Center višjih šol) Higher vocational education unit delivering 2-year programs in Economist (Business, Accounting, and Insurance tracks), Business Administration, Organiser of Social Network, Computer Science and Informatics, Hospitality and Tourism, Visual Communications and Marketing Design, Programming, and Digital Marketing for students seeking applied vocational qualifications.
• MBA Program International Master's of Business Administration program delivered in partnership with UNYP, providing internationally-credentialed MBA education to GEA College students and the broader market.
• Quality Manager Training (QM) Professional certification program in quality management that prepares participants for the national SZKO certificate and the internationally recognized EOQ certificate, targeted at quality professionals and corporate trainees.
• Digital Marketing Certificate Standalone professional certification program in digital marketing for individuals and working professionals seeking practical digital marketing credentials.
• NPK Real Estate Agent Training National vocational qualification (NPK) training and exam preparation for real estate agents, including supplementary training required every five years for license renewal under Slovenian law.
• GEA College Incubator Entrepreneurial incubation services offering workshops, startup incubation, the Young Entrepreneur program, and the PROGRAM 100i initiative for student entrepreneurs and external aspiring founders.
• Corporate and Custom Training Customized B2B training programs for companies and institutions, including the START SMART and GROW UP entrepreneurship modules, Quality Manager training, and workshops for secondary schools and teachers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35+ years of business education tradition in Slovenia
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SPIRIT SlovenijacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SPIRIT Slovenija (public agency) implements the START2GROW project within the Competence Rise in Entrepreneurship program 2025-2029, funded by European Social Fund Plus (ESS+) and Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport. GEA College delivers START SMART training modules for entrepreneurs in early development phase.
• Northwood UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for international student exchange program. GEA College students have the opportunity to experience American style of studying at Northwood University in Michigan, USA. This exchange is part of GEA's international education offerings.
• Erasmus+ Partner InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMore than 60 partner institutions for international student and staff mobility exchanges. The International Office coordinates Erasmus+ program activities including student exchanges, staff mobility, and partnerships with institutions worldwide.
• SZKO (Slovenian Association for Quality and Excellence)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Quality Manager certification program. GEA College collaborates with SZKO to deliver QM training, with graduates eligible for SZKO national certificate and internationally recognized EOQ certificate. SZKO is EOQ's regional partner in Slovenia.
• EOQ (European Organization for Quality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational certification partnership through SZKO. Graduates of Quality Manager program can obtain internationally recognized EOQ certificate in addition to national SZKO certification.
• BKS BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Student Challenge 2025, where students gained firsthand insight into HR challenges in the banking sector under BKS Bank guidance.
• UNYP (University of New York in Prague)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational MBA program partnership offering GEA College students access to MBA education with international credentials through UNYP's Prague-based program.
• MedianaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMediana, led by Janja Božič Marolt, conducted guest lectures at GEA College on research methodology, market research, and entrepreneurship courage.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• INSEAD: Premier global business school with top-ranked MBA and executive education programs. A relevant aspirational reference point for GEA's international MBA partnership and executive training positioning, though at a very different scale.
• CEU (Central European University): A larger, internationally recognized private university with a broad portfolio that includes business and management programs. Comparable as a Central European private higher-ed institution competing for international students.
• Prague University of Economics and Business: Major public business university in the Czech Republic offering undergraduate and graduate business programs. A relevant broader Central European reference point for GEA's degree programs and corporate training positioning.
• WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business): Large, well-established public business university in Vienna with a comprehensive portfolio of business programs. Sets a regional benchmark for quality and employer recognition in the DACH+CEE business education market where GEA competes for international students.

Emerging players

• Hult International Business School: Globally focused private business school with campuses in multiple countries and strong corporate partnerships. Comparable in its practitioner-led teaching model, international student mix, and emphasis on applied business education.

Direct peers

• IEDC Bled School of Management: Also a Slovenia-based private business school offering MBA and executive education; the most direct domestic competitor to GEA's MBA and management programs and the most relevant peer for the working-professional segment.
• University of New York in Prague (UNYP): Prague-based private university offering bachelor's, master's, and MBA programs in business. GEA's MBA is delivered in partnership with UNYP, and the two share student audiences in Central European private higher education.
• University of Ljubljana - School of Economics and Business: Slovenia's largest public business school, offering undergraduate and graduate business programs at subsidized prices. The principal price-disciplined competitor that GEA must differentiate against in the same local market.

Regional players

• DOBA Business School: Slovenian-based private business school focused on online and flexible higher-education programs. A direct domestic competitor in the same Slovenia-only market, particularly for working professionals and online learners.
• Budapest Business School: Hungary's largest business-focused higher-education institution, offering applied bachelor's and master's programs. Operates in a similar Central European applied-business-education niche as GEA, though it serves the Hungarian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@GEACollege11
• Facebookfacebook.com/gea.college
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5067162
• Instagraminstagram.com/gea_college
• TikToktiktok.com/@geacollege
• Xx.com/geacollege

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 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 Gea College