Knowledge Network

What Knowledge Network does

Knowledge Network (Pty) Limited is a South African private educational technology company founded in October 1994 by Jil Hrdliczka. It develops and licenses the Progressive Learning Programme, a Pre-school to Grade 12 technology-education curriculum designed for learners not enrolled in government computer subjects (CAT and IT), alongside the proprietary ILAMM (Integrated Learning and Mentoring Methodology). The product portfolio includes three age-tiered educational software packages (KN-3to5, KN-6to9, KN-10up), an In-School Diploma Programme (KN Level 01–05), the KN-UpSkilling teacher training programme, and an Intro to Coding module introduced in 2018. Content is delivered through age-appropriate, project-based session plans, projects, and assessments, and is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android environments.

The company sells directly to schools across South Africa (independent, public, and special needs), with named customers including School of Merit, St Teresa's, Ashton International Colleges Group, Woodlands International College, and Kingsway Christian School. Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring school programme licensing (curriculum, software, and teacher training fees), one-time educational software sales, and professional-services-style training (KN-UpSkilling) for educators, corporates, and individuals. Implementation is supported through on-site teacher training, session plans, and external examinations, with KN-UpSkilling certificates qualifying for CPTD points in South Africa.

Knowledge Network operates from offices in Sandton and Rivonia, South Africa, and is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding, M&A activity, or public listing. The company is led by founder and Managing Director Jil Hrdliczka, with a small management team including Director of Operations Ann Clark. The firm owns 12+ registered trademarks covering its brands, products, and methodology. The website indicates intent to expand to "any other country" seeking the upskilling programme, but no active cross-border channel has been disclosed.

Name

Knowledge Network

Legal name

Knowledge Network (Pty) Limited

Website

https://knowledgenetwork.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Knowledge Network is a South African private ed-tech company that licenses the Progressive Learning Programme, proprietary ILAMM methodology, and age-tiered educational software (KN-3to5, KN-6to9, KN-10up) to schools nationwide for technology education from Pre-school through Grade 12.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Educational Technology Curriculum & Software

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Curriculum, Lesson Planning & Instructional Content Platforms (EDAJAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Management Systems (LMS) & Digital Classrooms (EDAJAMAA), K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA), Virtual School Course Providers (Single-Course/Part-Time Enrollment) (EDAJADAE)

Keywords

• Educational technology software
• K-12 school curriculum
• Teacher training services
• Coding education programmes
• Computer literacy curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. School Programme Licensing: Schools pay fees to Knowledge Network for implementing the Progressive Learning Programme, which includes lesson plans, educational software, teacher training, and KN certification.
2. KN-UpSkilling Training Services: Training programmes for educators, corporates, and individuals, with schoolwide programmes customized to suit school requirements and technologies, typically scheduled in 2-hour sessions.
3. Educational Software Sales: Sale of educational software products including KN-3to5, KN-6to9, and KN-10up for use in schools and at home.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Knowledge Network sells a comprehensive K–12 educational technology curriculum (the Progressive Learning Programme) bundled with proprietary age-tiered software (KN-3to5, KN-6to9, KN-10up), teacher training, and certification to South African schools. Complementary paid offerings include the KN In-School Diploma Programme (Levels 01–05), KN-UpSkilling for Educators across Windows/iOS/Android, and an Intro to Coding Programme, all delivered under the proprietary ILAMM methodology.

Product overview

Knowledge Network offers a comprehensive educational technology portfolio centered on the Progressive Learning Programme - a curriculum spanning Pre-school (Grade 000) through Grade 12 for learners not taking government computer subjects. The product line includes three age-specific educational software tiers: KN-3to5 (ages 3-5), KN-6to9 (ages 6-9), and KN-10up (ages 10+). Complementary offerings include the KN In-School Diploma Programme (Levels 01-05), KN-UpSkilling for Educators (covering Windows/MS Office, iOS/iPads, Androids, and coding), the Intro to Coding Programme (HTML, Small Basic, ScratchJr, Scratch, Swift, Swift Playgrounds), and the proprietary ILAMM methodology. The programmes are designed to be implemented using existing school technologies (Windows, iOS, Android) and office/graphics tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KN-3to5: Educational software for learners 3-5 years with variety to keep learners focused, challenged and enjoying what they are learning. Develops creativity, lateral thinking, concentration, logic, problem-solving ability, coping skills and IT skills.
• KN-6to9
• KN-10up
• KN-UpSkilling

Products and services

• Progressive Learning Programme A comprehensive K-12 educational technology curriculum for learners not taking government computer subjects (CAT and IT), delivered using the proprietary ILAMM methodology. Includes session plans, projects, and assessments, with KN Certification from Grade 4 to Grade 12 (KN SP Level 01 M to KN Level 05). For schools (independent, public, special needs) seeking a structured technology curriculum.
• KN-3to5 Educational Software Educational software for learners aged 3-5 years developing creativity, lateral thinking, concentration, logic, problem-solving, coping skills, and IT skills. For Pre-school learners in schools implementing the Progressive Learning Programme.
• KN-6to9 Educational Software Educational software for learners aged 6-9 years featuring typing, drawing, painting, word problems, math problems, and memory challenges. Develops creativity, logic, problem-solving, IT skills, coping skills, and lateral thinking. Designed for multi-cultural, multilingual learning environments. For Foundation/Intermediate Phase schools.
• KN-10up Educational Software Educational software for learners aged 10 and up, designed for class use (computer classes and learning areas), remedial work, and personal development for learners requiring extra help in specific subjects. For primary and high schools.
• KN In-School Diploma Programme A diploma programme for high school learners (Grade 7/8 to Grade 12) not doing government technology subjects CAT and IT, structured across KN Levels 01 to 05. Includes a 4-hour project with brief, research, and presentation. Used for additional recognition/leadership points at local and overseas universities and as a workplace entry ticket for learners not pursuing university.
• KN-UpSkilling For Educators Professional development training for teachers covering Windows (MS Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel), iOS (iPads, Macs, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Graphics), Androids, OpenOffice, HTML coding, Scratch, Small Basic, Graphics, Animation, and integrated learning. Available as schoolwide customised training, corporate training, or individual programmes, with KN-UpSkilling Certificates (carrying CPTD points) issued on successful completion.
• Intro to Coding Programme Coding education programme covering HTML, Small Basic, Smart Basic, ScratchJr, Scratch, Swift, and Swift Playgrounds. Targeted at teachers presenting coding lessons to learners from Pre-school through high school.
• E-Learning Readiness & E-Learning Extensions Programme component providing e-learning readiness for teachers and learners, with e-learning extensions complementing government curriculums across grades and learning areas to build general knowledge, vocabulary, and engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every child can leave primary school with the technology skills required for high school
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Schools using Knowledge Network ProgrammecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with South African schools (independent, public, and special needs schools) where the Knowledge Network Progressive Learning Programme is implemented. Schools pay fees for access to curriculum, software, teacher training, and certification.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Edmentum: Provider of online K-12 curriculum, assessment, and intervention solutions including Exact Path and Courseware — comparable to KN's age-banded (KN-3to5, KN-6to9, KN-10up) digital learning pathways and teacher-supported implementation model.
• Pearson Education: Global K-12 educational content and curriculum publisher with digital learning platforms, assessment, and credentialing — comparable in offering breadth to KN's full Pre-school to Grade 12 curriculum and diploma programme, but operating globally and at vastly larger scale.
• ADvTECH Limited: Largest listed private education group in South Africa operating schools and tertiary institutions; comparable as a South African education provider that may use or compete with KN's Progressive Learning Programme across independent schools.
• Discovery Education: Global provider of K-12 digital curriculum, streaming content, and professional development for educators — comparable to KN's combined student-facing software and teacher upskilling (KN-UpSkilling) offering.
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: US-headquartered K-12 educational content and curriculum provider with digital platforms and assessment solutions — directly comparable to KN's curriculum + software + assessment model across grade bands.

Direct peers

• Snapplify: South African EdTech company distributing digital educational content to schools and consumers across Africa, with a content marketplace and reading/learning platform comparable to KN's school-distributed curriculum and software bundle.
• Siyavula Education: South African EdTech publisher of open K-12 STEM curriculum and practice content integrated with the CAPS curriculum, sharing KN's model of curriculum + software distributed to schools across South Africa.

Emerging players

• Khan Academy: Free, globally available K-12 online learning platform covering core subjects including computing/programming — represents a free indirect alternative to KN's licensed curriculum and is reshaping school procurement toward no-cost digital learning.
• GetSmarter (Acquired by 2U): South African-founded online education provider partnering with universities for short courses — comparable as a Cape Town/South African EdTech with technology-skilling offerings, though focused on adult higher education rather than K-12.

Regional players

• Curro Holdings: JSE-listed operator of South African private schools with extensive curriculum and technology integration; comparable as a regional K-12 operator that represents both a potential enterprise customer and adjacent competitor in the South African independent-school segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knowledge-networks-sri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Knowledge Network