What AD Education does

AD Education is a Paris-headquartered, ARDIAN-backed European higher education group specializing in creative and applied arts training. The group operates 21 schools and 46+ (expanding to 67 with SAE Institute) campuses across 9-10 European countries — France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands and Switzerland — training more than 42,000 students annually. Founded with origins in 1990 (per firmographics), AD Education has executed an aggressive buy-and-build strategy since at least 2019, acquiring creative schools (École de Condé, ECV, EAC, ESD, ESP, ING, École Supérieure du Parfum & de la Cosmétique, ANIMUM, CEV, CES, HMKW/Media University, Barreira, IMAAT, SAE Institute, IAAD, Accademia Italiana, ICMP) while preserving their brand identities, and adding its own engineering and management schools (EMLV, ESILV).

The core offering is degree-bearing higher education across eight disciplines — art and design, animation and game, audiovisual, luxury and culture, advertising and digital, perfume and cosmetics, business/management, and engineering — delivered in initial (full-time), alternating (apprenticeship via CFA AD Education), and continuing professional education formats, available in-person, hybrid or fully remote. Revenue comes primarily from tuition fees (not publicly disclosed) for Bachelors, Mastères and BTS programs, plus structured fees for VAE (Validation des Acquis par l'Expérience) certification pathways — eligibility dossier €130-€170, optional 18-hour coaching accompaniment €2,340-€3,060, and jury validation €650 — administered with partner Reflx. Direct-to-student enrollment is the primary go-to-market, with apprenticeship contracts and curriculum co-development partnerships with luxury houses (Dior, L'Oréal, IFF, DSM-Firmenich, Givaudan, Takasago) and media groups (Telecinco, TVE, Antenne 3) supporting industry relevance and employment outcomes. Programs carry Qualiopi certification and RNCP recognition.

The current strategic agenda includes expanding international Bachelor's programs across multiple European cities (launched February 2026), scaling AI-related professional training via the Oktogone-owned VISIPLUS academy (April 2025), institutionalizing ESG commitments through the Fondation AD Education (November 2024), and pursuing additional European consolidation, exemplified by the June 2024 exclusive negotiations to acquire Pôle Léonard de Vinci. Leadership comprises President Kevin Guenegan and Director General Martin Coriat, with subsidiary-level CEOs running each acquired school. The company is privately held, with private equity firm ARDIAN as the disclosed sponsor and an earlier 2016 funding round involving Bpifrance and Cathay Capital.

Name

AD Education

Legal name

AD EDUCATION

Website

http://ad-education.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AD Education is a Paris-headquartered, ARDIAN-backed European higher education group operating 21 schools across 9 countries with 46+ campuses, training 42,000+ students annually in creative disciplines (design, animation, audiovisual, luxury, digital, management, engineering) through degree, apprenticeship and continuing education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Animation, Game Art & Digital Arts Colleges (EDAHAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sales, Marketing & Digital Marketing Certifications (EDAAANAF), Awarding Organizations & Credentialing Bodies (Certificates/Diplomas) (EDADAFAC)

Keywords

• Creative higher education
• Design schools
• Audiovisual training
• Animation education
• Apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices26 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Higher Education Tuition: Revenue generated from tuition fees for degree programs (Bachelors, Mastères) in creative fields including design, audiovisual, animation, game, communication, digital, management, and engineering disciplines. Programs offered in initial (full-time) and apprenticeship (alternating) formats.
2. Continuing Professional Education: Revenue from professional development and continuing education programs, including VAE (Validation des Acquis par l'Expérience) services, apprenticeship contracts through CFA, and specialized professional certifications in areas such as gemmology, perfumery, and digital skills.
3. VAE Certification Services: Fees charged for VAE process stages including eligibility dossier review (€130-€170 depending on level), optional 18-hour coaching accompaniment (€2,340-€3,060), and jury validation (€650).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AD Education operates a pan-European network of 21 higher-education institutions (67+ campuses across 9 countries) that deliver degree programs (Bachelors, Mastères, BTS) and professional certifications in creative disciplines including art & design, audiovisual, animation & game, luxury & culture, perfume & cosmetics, gemmology, advertising, digital marketing, business management, and engineering. Offerings are provided in initial (full-time), alternating (apprenticeship via the CFA), and continuing-education (including VAE certification) formats, delivered in-person, hybrid, or fully remote.

Product overview

AD Education is a European higher education group comprising 21 schools across 9 countries with over 42,000 students. The portfolio includes acquired brands (École de Condé, ECV, ANIMUM, SAE Institute, CEV, CES, Barreira, IAAD, Accademia Italiana, HMKW) and proprietary sub-brands (EAC, ING, École Supérieure du Parfum, ESD, ESP, VISIPLUS academy). Schools offer programs in art & design, animation & game, audiovisual, luxury & culture, advertising & digital, and business management. The group also provides apprenticeship (CFA) and VAE certification services through partnerships with Reflx, along with specialized initiatives like the Académie des Nouveaux Récits for educator training on ecological transition and the Fondation AD Education for equal opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ECV Creative Schools & Community: Creative schools network focused on Design, Animation, Game, and Digital education with campuses across France.
• CFA AD Education
• VISIPLUS academy
• REFLEX
• Académie des Nouveaux Récits
• Com' for Climate
• Fondation AD Education

Products and services

• École de Condé (EDC) Leading French art and applied-arts school offering programs in design, graphic design, interior architecture, fashion, illustration, 2D/3D animation, and motion design.
• ECV (École des Créatifs) Creative schools specializing in design, animation, game design, and digital arts, with campuses in Paris, Bordeaux, Nantes, Aix-en-Provence, and Lille.
• ANIMUM Creativity Advanced School Spanish online school specializing in digital arts, 3D animation, video games, and visual effects, based in Málaga and offered fully online.
• EAC (École supérieure d'Art et de Culture) School of management for culture, art market, and luxury sectors.
• ING (Institut National de Gemmologie) National Gemmology Institute specializing in gemology, precious stones, and diamond expertise training.
• École Supérieure du Parfum & de la Cosmétique School dedicated to perfume and cosmetics industry training, with campuses in Paris and Grasse, supported by Dior, L'Oréal, IFF, Givaudan, DSM-Firmenich, Takasago, and the Fédération Française du Parfum.
• ESD (École Supérieure du Digital) School of digital arts, communication, and marketing with campuses in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, and Nantes.
• ESP (École Supérieure de Publicité) School of advertising and communication with campuses in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, and Nantes.
• SAE Institute International audiovisual, animation, video game, and music education provider with 22 campuses across 10 European countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Switzerland).
• VISIPLUS academy Online education and training platform offering professional development courses including AI training for businesses and individuals.
• CFA AD Education (Apprenticeship Training Center) Apprenticeship training center (Centre de Formation d'Apprentis) offering alternating work-study programs across all AD Education schools, combining theoretical education with practical workplace experience.
• VAE (Validation des Acquis par l'Expérience) Certification Service Experience-validation service allowing professionals to obtain RNCP certifications based on their professional experience, delivered in partnership with Reflx. Stage fees: eligibility dossier review €130–€170 (Levels 4–7); optional 18-hour coaching accompaniment €2,340–€3,060; jury validation €650.
• International Bachelor's Programs International Bachelor's degree programs delivered across European campuses (Rome, Valencia, Paris) supporting AD Education's cross-border educational pathways.
• Bachelor Influencer & Brand Content – Culture, Art & Luxe Bachelor's degree program from EAC focused on influencer and brand content within the culture, art, and luxury sectors, launching for the 2026 academic year.
• AI Training in Publishing (Asfored) AI training program for the publishing industry launched by Asfored (part of AD Education's Oktogone Group), aimed at redefining the future of books.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42,000+ students trained annually across the group
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• ReflxcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerReflx partners with AD Education to professionalize its VAE (Validation des Acquis par l'Expérience) candidate support process. Reflx handles eligibility assessments, coaching accompaniment, and jury coordination for VAE candidates.
• DiorflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDior participates in curriculum development for École Supérieure du Parfum & de la Cosmétique, providing industry expertise and ensuring program relevance for luxury fragrance sector employment.
• L'OréalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerL'Oréal supports curriculum development for École Supérieure du Parfum & de la Cosmétique programs, ensuring alignment with cosmetics industry needs.
• IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFragrance ingredients leader contributing to perfume school curriculum development and industry alignment.
• DSM-FirmenichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFragrance and ingredients company participating in perfume and cosmetics school curriculum development.
• GivaudancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor fragrance house contributing to perfume school educational content and industry partnerships.
• Fédération Française du ParfumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench perfume industry federation actively involved in developing curriculum for the École Supérieure du Parfum & de la Cosmétique.
• TelecincocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Spanish private television network partnering with CES Madrid for professional training programs in audiovisual sector.
• TVE (Televisión Española)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish public broadcaster collaborating with CES for professional training in audiovisual and media fields.
• Antenne 3coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish television channel (Atresmedia) providing professional training partnerships with CES Madrid.
• CampusWatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONG specializing in actions against school violence and cyberviolence since 2012. Partnered with ESP-ESD to launch Speak'Up program for preventing gender-based and sexual violence on campuses.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational medical humanitarian organization collaborated with ECV Paris students to create animated short film 'Les Esclaves de Tripoli' raising awareness about migrant conditions in Libya.
• Mike Horn / Pangaea XflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventurer Mike Horn's environmental education program. IMAAT students work on video archives and receive masterclasses in storytelling and audiovisual techniques as part of the Pangaea X challenge.
• Union Bordeaux Bègles (UBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench rugby club partnered with ECV Digital Bordeaux for annual hackathon focused on digital innovation for fan engagement and RSE (corporate social responsibility) projects.
• Maison RiondetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAntique jewelry house and gemmology expert collaborated with ING (Institut National de Gemmologie) for Jewel Week event focusing on post-COVID challenges for the luxury jewelry sector.
• Rennes School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with École de Condé to create XR immersive design management specialization in partnership with Artefacto.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IONIS Education Group: IONIS Education Group is a large French private higher education holding company with 20+ schools covering business, engineering, communication, design, and digital fields. Comparable in portfolio breadth, French regulatory exposure, and multi-brand holding structure to AD Education.
• Galileo Global Education: Galileo Global Education is a Paris-headquartered private higher education group operating schools across design, digital, and creative disciplines in Europe and beyond (including Strate, Paris School of Business, and many others). It is the closest direct competitor to AD Education, with similar acquisition-led pan-European strategy and overlapping program portfolio.
• Mod'Art International: Mod'Art International is a Paris-based private fashion school offering degrees in fashion design and management. It is a smaller but direct competitor to AD Education's EAC luxury and fashion programs.
• INSEEC U. INSEEC U. is a French private higher education group offering programs in management, marketing, luxury, communication, and engineering. It shares AD Education's French private higher education model, multi-school structure, and exposure to apprenticeship/alternance programs.
• Strate School of Design: Strate is a leading French private school specializing in industrial design, transportation design, and product design. It competes directly with AD Education's design offerings (École de Condé, ECV) for design talent in France.
• Studialis / Réseau GES (Galileo) schools: Studialis / Réseau GES comprises French private schools in marketing, communication, and digital fields. It is a relevant competitor in the same French private higher education segment as AD Education's ESP, ESD, and ECV programs.

Broad incumbents

• Laureate Education: Laureate Education is a US-headquartered global higher education platform operating universities in multiple countries. It is a broad incumbent with a similar portfolio-acquisition-led business model, providing strategic and valuation benchmarks for large private higher education groups.
• GEMS Education: GEMS Education is a Dubai-based global K-12 and higher education operator. While primarily K-12, it is a relevant broad incumbent demonstrating large-scale private education platform economics and international expansion playbooks comparable to AD Education's roll-up strategy.
• Navitas: Navitas is an Australian-headquartered global education provider with university partnership and creative college operations. It is a relevant broad comparable as the former parent of SAE Institute (now part of AD Education) and as a global education platform investor.

Regional players

• ECAL (École cantonale d'art de Lausanne): ECAL is a top Swiss university of art and design, highly ranked in design and visual arts. It competes for top European creative students in a similar discipline set as AD Education's art and design schools, primarily in the DACH/French-speaking region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/ad-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AD Education