Project Heartbeat

What Project Heartbeat does

Project Heartbeat is a privately held healthcare training and certification company founded in 1996 and headquartered in Oakland, California. It operates as an American Heart Association Authorized Provider and an Emergency Nurses Association Training Center, delivering AHA certifications (ACLS, BLS, PALS, First Aid CPR AED, NRP, TNCC, ECG) alongside vocational training programs in EMT-Basic, Phlebotomy, and Vocational Nursing. The company serves individual healthcare professionals seeking initial certification or renewal, healthcare career entrants pursuing vocational credentials, healthcare facilities needing group training, and military veterans transitioning into healthcare roles. Co-founder and Vice President Josh Burke is the named founder in the available data.

The core delivery model combines AHA's HeartCode blended learning platform (online Part 1 modules plus in-person Part 2 skills verification) with self-guided voice-assisted manikin CPR Verification Stations selected by the AHA from a small group of national providers. Instructor-led courses are delivered at 40+ owned training academies across California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and on-site at client facilities for groups of 8 or more. Additional differentiators include real-world trauma lanes for EMT training in the East Bay, a reported 99% AHA course success rate with free retakes, and extended scheduling across weekdays and weekends.

Revenue is generated through one-time course fees for certifications and vocational programs (e.g., BLS HeartCode Complete at $90, ACLS Complete at $250, PALS Complete at $250), customized on-site enterprise training priced by group size, and contracted facility portals that offer special pricing to partner healthcare systems (Alameda Health System, Alta Bates Summit, Eden Medical Center) and to SEIU-UHW & Joint Employer Education Fund members. Distribution combines D2C self-serve website registration, field sales for on-site group training, channel partnerships with contracted facility portals, and a veteran referral pipeline via the Swords to Plowshares partnership. Tech integrations are limited to standard SaaS tooling (Stripe, SendGrid, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Maps, Google Ads, Complianz), with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Project Heartbeat

Legal name

Project Heartbeat

Website

https://projectheartbeat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project Heartbeat is a healthcare training provider delivering AHA certifications (BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC) and vocational programs (EMT-B, Phlebotomy, Vocational Nursing) across 40+ locations in five western US states, serving healthcare professionals, career entrants, healthcare systems, and veterans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Training and Certification Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

EMS Education, Training & Simulation Centers (HLAFANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Medical Services (EMT/Paramedic) Training (EDAOAMAC), EKG/ECG Technician & Cardiac Monitoring (EDAOAJAD), Healthcare & Clinical Professional Certifications (EDAAANAI), Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

Keywords

• Healthcare certification training
• ACLS BLS PALS courses
• EMT vocational training
• Phlebotomy nursing programs
• American Heart Association provider

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices38 records

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. Certification Course Fees: One-time fees for American Heart Association certification courses including BLS, ACLS, PALS, ECG, NRP, TNCC, CNA, and First Aid. Revenue generated per course completion with immediate certification issuance.
2. Vocational Training Programs: Multi-week training programs in EMT-B, Phlebotomy, and Vocational Nursing with associated course fees. Programs range from 2.5 weeks to several months with job placement assistance.
3. HeartCode Blended Learning: Online Part 1 modules combined with in-person Part 2 skills verification. Complete packages and skills-only options available.
4. On-Site Group Training: Customized training delivered at client facilities for groups of 8 or more, with pricing based on class size and customization requirements.
5. Contracted Facility Partnerships: Special pricing agreements with healthcare systems (Alameda Health System, Alta Bates Summit, Eden Medical Center, SEIU Education Fund) through dedicated portals with promo codes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Project Heartbeat delivers American Heart Association authorized certification courses (ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, TNCC, First Aid CPR AED, ECG) and vocational healthcare training programs (EMT-B, Phlebotomy, Vocational Nursing, CNA) across 40+ physical locations and via on-site group training. Certification is issued immediately upon course completion using HeartCode blended learning with voice-assisted manikin CPR Verification Stations. The company also operates contracted facility portals that bundle employee certification renewals for healthcare systems.

Product overview

Project Heartbeat is California-based healthcare training provider offering American Heart Association certifications (ACLS, BLS, PALS, First Aid CPR AED, NRP, TNCC) alongside vocational programs (EMT-B, Phlebotomy, Vocational Nursing). The company operates a distributed network of HeartCode CPR Verification Stations using voice-assisted manikin technology for blended learning certification. Additional offerings include ECG interpretation courses, CNA training, and on-site group training services for healthcare facilities. The training portfolio is delivered across 40+ locations in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACLS Certification American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification for healthcare providers, covering management of Bradycardia, Tachycardia, Pulseless arrest, Stroke, and Heart Attack using current AHA guidelines.
• BLS Certification American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification for healthcare providers, covering CPR, AED use, and choking relief for adults, children, and infants.
• PALS Certification American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification for healthcare providers responding to emergencies for infants and children.
• First Aid CPR AED Combined First Aid, CPR, and AED certification course for healthcare and non-healthcare providers.
• ECG Certification Training ECG interpretation courses including Basic ECG Interpretation & Pharmacology and Advanced 12 Lead ECG Interpretation Certification.
• NRP Certification Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification for healthcare professionals working with neonatal and newborn infants.
• TNCC Certification Trauma Nursing Core Course certification for trauma care, available in Initial and Renewal formats.
• CNA Courses Certified Nursing Assistant courses approved by NAC CE for healthcare career training.
• EMT-B Training Programs Emergency Medical Technician-Basic training with accelerated 2.5-week, standard 5-week, and extended 8-week programs, plus refresher courses and skills verification.
• Phlebotomy Training Program 5-week phlebotomy training program for careers as Phlebotomist, Lab Assistant, or Emergency Dept Technician.
• Vocational Nursing Program Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program accepting applications for September 2026 start with merit-based scholarship opportunities.
• On-Site Group Training Instructor-led training delivered at client facilities (hospitals, workplaces, schools) for groups of 8 or more across ACLS, BLS, PALS, ECG, TNCC, CNA, and First Aid CPR AED courses, with customizable scheduling 7 days a week.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% success rate in American Heart Association courses
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Swords to PlowsharescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran support partnership providing full tuition assistance and job placement assistance for military veterans interested in Project Heartbeat's EMT Training Program. Contact Theresa Livingston at Swords to Plowshares for program details.
• Alameda Health SystemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContracted facilities portal for employee certification renewals. Special promo codes (AHSBLS, AHSACLS, AHSPALS, AHSTNCC, AHSNRP) for contracted pricing. 33% cancellation/reschedule fee for changes less than 7 days prior.
• Alta Bates Summit Medical CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployee portal for ACLS, PALS, and BLS certificate renewals with promo code ALTA BATES and cost center verification for employment confirmation.
• Eden Medical CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployee portal for ACLS/PALS/BLS certificate renewals with promo code EDEN100 and employment verification required for registration.
• SEIU-UHW & Joint Employer Education FundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducation Fund partnership offering free certification courses (BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, NRP, ECG, CNA) for eligible members using promo code SEIU100. Students responsible only for shipping costs; hard copy cards not included free.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHA Authorized Provider status enabling issuance of official AHA certifications. Selected by AHA among small group of national providers to implement HeartCode CPR Verification Station technology.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ProTrainings: Online healthcare and workplace certification company offering blended learning for BLS, ACLS, PALS, and Bloodborne Pathogens—competes with Project Heartbeat's HeartCode Skills Only offerings nationally.

Broad incumbents

• HealthStream: Public healthcare workforce development company (NASDAQ: HSTM) selling compliance, certification, and clinical education to hospitals and health systems—comparable end customer (hospital L&D/credentialing offices) but broader enterprise SaaS model.
• American Red Cross Training Services: National certification body offering competing BLS, CPR/AED, and First Aid credentials widely accepted by healthcare employers—largest incumbent alternative to AHA certifications across Project Heartbeat's footprint.
• Relias: Healthcare-focused training and compliance platform serving hospitals, senior care, and behavioral health with certification tracking and e-learning—competes for the same hospital-system training budgets at the enterprise level.

Regional players

• Bastard (formerly Bay Area EMT / NCTI): California-based EMS education provider offering EMT, Paramedic, and continuing-education programs—directly competes with Project Heartbeat's EMT-B vocational programs in Northern California.
• UCLA Center for Prehospital Care: California-based EMT, Paramedic, and continuing-education provider affiliated with UCLA—directly competes with Project Heartbeat's EMT-B and Phlebotomy vocational programs in the Southern California market.

Direct peers

• National CPR Foundation: Online-first AHA-affiliated CPR/First Aid certification provider competing on price and convenience for BLS skills verification—directly comparable certification courses without the same physical footprint.
• CPR Educators: AHA-aligned CPR, BLS, ACLS, and PALS training provider with multiple California locations—directly comparable course portfolio and in-person delivery model in overlapping geography.
• EMS Safety Services: National AHA-affiliated training organization offering CPR, First Aid, BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification to workplace and healthcare customers—comparable course mix delivered through on-site and blended formats.
• SureFire CPR: Orange County-based AHA Authorized Provider offering BLS, ACLS, PALS, and First Aid CPR AED certification with multiple Southern California locations—directly comparable course mix, AHA authorization, and geographic overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/projectheartbeat
• Facebookfacebook.com/projecthb
• Instagraminstagram.com/project_heartbeat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/projectheartbeat

Compliance4 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 Project Heartbeat