EXIN

What EXIN does

EXIN is an independent examination and certification institute founded in 1984 in Utrecht, Netherlands, originally established by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs to create IT training exams. The company designs, owns, and administers professional certification programs across IT service management, agile and DevOps, data protection and security, cloud computing, and emerging technologies including AI and blockchain. Its underlying technology platform combines EXIN Anywhere for online proctored exam delivery (live and video proctoring within 21 days of booking), the EXIN Practice Portal for self-serve exam preparation (EUR 20 per practice pack), the Marking on the Spot mobile app for supervisor-side answer sheet scanning, and EXeed.pro for digital badge issuance. Since 2010, all certifications have been mapped to the European e-Competence Framework (e-CF, standard EN 16234-1), and the institute holds ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and ISO 17024 certifications.

The business operates a three-sided model serving individual professionals seeking credentials, corporate enterprises validating workforce competencies (with named users including IBM, Microsoft, TCS, Siemens, ING, and HCL), and a partner channel of 450+ accredited training organizations (ATOs) and accredited exam organizations (AEOs). Revenue is generated through certification exam fees (one-time per attempt), partner accreditation and instructor licensing fees, practice portal subscriptions, and digital badge issuance. EXIN is active in 165+ countries with 20+ languages and has certified nearly 3 million professionals cumulatively. Operations are run from six regional subsidiaries (Netherlands HQ, India, Japan, China via Beijing Yikeshen, Germany, Brazil, and the United States).

Since 2021, EXIN has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Software Improvement Group (SIG), a Dutch software quality firm, following an acquisition that aligned people-certification with SIG's software health and safety services. The combined group employs roughly 40 people at the EXIN level, with EXIN Holding B.V. serving as the legal entity. The company continues to expand its certification catalog into AI governance, generative AI, and dynamic project management, while reinforcing its indirect channel through the global partner network rather than scaling direct headcount.

Name

EXIN

Legal name

EXIN Holding B.V.

Website

https://exin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EXIN is an independent certification institute offering IT and digital skills certifications globally, with nearly 3 million certified professionals across 165+ countries. Founded in 1984 in the Netherlands and now under SIG, it operates through 450+ accredited training partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional IT Certification Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG), Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

Keywords

• IT certification programs
• Professional certification exams
• Online exam proctoring
• Skills gap assessment
• Accredited training partners

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Certification Exam Fees: Revenue generated from candidates registering and paying for certification exams. Exams can be booked directly through EXIN or via partner organizations.
2. Partner Accreditation Fees: Fees charged to training organizations (ATOs), exam organizations (AEOs), and individual instructors for accreditation to deliver EXIN certifications.
3. Practice Portal Subscriptions: Practice packs available at €20 per pack (VAT included) providing exam preparation materials based on latest EXIN syllabus with real exam format simulation.
4. Digital Badge Issuance: Digital badges issued through EXeed.pro platform for certified professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EXIN is an independent certification and examination institute that develops, delivers, and accredits professional IT and digital certifications across domains such as Agile/Scrum, Service Management (ITIL, SIAM, VeriSM), Data Protection and Information Security, Cloud, AI, and Project Management. Certifications are administered through 450+ accredited training and exam partners and via direct online channels, including the EXIN Anywhere online proctoring service and the EXIN Practice Portal.

Product overview

EXIN is an independent certification and accreditation institute offering professional certification programs across IT and digital skills. The portfolio includes core exam delivery and proctoring services (EXIN Anywhere for online exams, Marking on the Spot App for mobile scanning), practice preparation tools (EXIN Practice Portal), and skills assessment (Astride by EXIN). The certification catalog spans five competency domains aligned to the e-Competence framework: Agile/DevOps, Business & Service Management, Data Protection & Security, and Technologies & Software. Key certification programs include BCS Artificial Intelligence (Foundation, Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI Compliance), Privacy & Data Protection (Foundation/Professional), Information Security (ISO/IEC 27001 based), Agile Scrum (Foundation/Master/Product Owner), Cloud Computing, SIAM, VeriSM, and Dynamic Project Management. Digital badge issuance via EXeed.pro and certificate authentication tools support credential verification. EXIN operates across 165+ countries in 20+ languages with 450+ partners, having certified nearly 3 million professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EXIN Practice Portal Official online practice platform offering exam preparation packs at €20 per pack (VAT included) based on the latest EXIN syllabus and preparation guide, with real exam format, question types, and timing, designed for candidates preparing for EXIN certification exams.
• EXIN Anywhere Online exam service that enables candidates to take EXIN certification exams remotely from home or office, with live or video proctoring, and the ability to schedule exams within 21 days of booking.
• Marking on the Spot App Mobile and web application that allows supervisors at exam organizations to scan exam answer sheets via smartphone camera and receive provisional exam results within minutes, including Scan & Mail functionality for digital document submission.
• Astride by EXIN Skills-gap assessment tool aligned with the e-Competence framework (e-CF) that helps professionals assess their current roles and compare their skills against other roles, with the tool available free to EXIN-accredited partners.
• Digital Badges (EXeed.pro) Digital badge issuance and management system for certified professionals, with badges mapped to e-CF competence areas that can be shared on professional networks such as LinkedIn.
• Certificate Authentication Tool Online verification tool that enables employers and HR departments to verify the authenticity of EXIN certificates by entering the certificate holder's surname, certificate number, and module.
• EXIN Partner Accreditation Program Formal accreditation program that authorizes training organizations (ATOs), exam organizations (AEOs), and individual instructors to deliver EXIN certifications, granting access to official curriculum, instructor certification, exam content, and the Marking on the Spot App.
• EXIN Certification Examination Programs Portfolio of professional certification examination programs covering Agile/Scrum (Foundation, Master, Product Owner), Service Management (SIAM Foundation, VeriSM Foundation), Data Protection (PDPF, PDPP), Information Security (ISO/IEC 27001 ISFS), AI (BCS AI Foundation, Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI Compliance Professional), Cloud Computing Foundation, Certified Data Centre Professional, and Dynamic Project Management, mapped to the e-Competence Framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 3 million professionals certified globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• IBMminorOthersGlobal enterprise customer that employs EXIN certified professionals. IBM is featured among global organizations employing EXIN certified people.
• Tata Consultancy ServicesminorOthersGlobal IT services company that employs EXIN certified professionals. Featured among global organizations trusting EXIN certifications.
• INGminorOthersGlobal financial institution that employs EXIN certified professionals. Featured among global organizations trusting EXIN certifications.
• MicrosoftminorOthersGlobal technology company that employs EXIN certified professionals. Featured among global organizations trusting EXIN certifications.
• SiemensminorOthersGlobal industrial conglomerate that employs EXIN certified professionals. Featured among global organizations trusting EXIN certifications.
• HCL TechnologiesminorOthersGlobal IT services company that employs EXIN certified professionals. Featured among global organizations trusting EXIN certifications.
• ITSM ZoneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline training pioneer that values EXIN's commitment to improving digital skills through high-quality certifications. Provides testimonial endorsement for EXIN career paths.
• Capgemini AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining supplier partner that delivers EXIN certifications. Provides testimonial endorsement citing smooth and pleasant experience working with EXIN.
• New Horizons HamburgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal training organization providing testimonial about EXIN Agile Scrum being more comprehensive than other Scrum approaches, citing EXIN as an established global exam provider that takes great care to ensure exam integrity.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Scaled Agile (SAFe): Scaled Agile issues SAFe certifications (SA, SP, SSM) for enterprise-scale agile adoption — a higher-level credential than EXIN's Scrum track but competing for the same enterprise agile training budget. Both operate partner-driven delivery models and sell into Fortune 500 digital transformation programs.
• PeopleCert: PeopleCert owns Axelos and the ITIL trademark, making it the most direct competitor to EXIN in IT service management certifications. Both organizations compete for the same IT professional audience via accredited partner networks and global exam delivery, with overlapping catalogs in ITIL, PRINCE2, and related frameworks.
• Scrum Alliance: Scrum Alliance issues Certified ScrumMaster, CSPO, and other agile credentials that compete directly with EXIN Agile Scrum Foundation, Master, and Product Owner certifications. Both organizations rely on certified trainer networks and serve the same enterprise agile transformation buyer.
• ISACA: ISACA issues CISA, CISM, CGEIT, and CRISC for IT governance, security, and risk professionals — overlapping directly with EXIN's data protection, information security, and VeriSM portfolios. Both organizations sell certifications to enterprise compliance functions and operate member-based governance models.
• BCS (British Computer Society): BCS co-creates EXIN BCS-branded certifications (AI Foundation, Generative AI, Machine Learning) and runs its own chartered IT professional certification portfolio. BCS is simultaneously a partner (co-developing EXIN-delivered exams) and a peer (issuing competing certifications through its own channels and university network).
• CompTIA: CompTIA is the dominant vendor-neutral IT certification body in North America, offering Security+, Network+, Cloud+, and Linux+ credentials that compete head-on with EXIN's information security, cloud, and infrastructure tracks. Both target the same entry-to-intermediate IT professional segment through accredited training partners and Pearson VUE-style exam delivery.
• APMG International: APMG International accredits and administers PRINCE2, MSP, and ITIL-related certifications through a global partner network structurally identical to EXIN's ATO/AEO model. Direct overlap exists in project management and IT service management credentials, with both organizations serving enterprise training buyers and individual professionals.
• (ISC)²: (ISC)² administers the CISSP, CCSP, and SSCP cybersecurity certifications, competing with EXIN's ISO/IEC 27001-based Information Security Foundation track. Both serve security practitioners seeking internationally recognized credentials and rely on global partner exam delivery infrastructure.

Emerging players

• CertNexus: CertNexus issues CyberSec, IoT, AI, and data ethics certifications aimed at emerging technology practitioners, overlapping with EXIN's newest BCS AI and Blockchain tracks. It is smaller and newer than EXIN but pursues a comparable emerging-tech certification strategy.
• DevOps Institute: DevOps Institute offers DevOps Foundation, SRE, and Continuous Delivery certifications that compete with EXIN's DevOps and VeriSM modules. It is an emerging player in the same DevOps upskilling category with a smaller global partner footprint than EXIN.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exin

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries6 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 EXIN