Arces

What Arces does

Arces (Association des Responsables de Communication de l'Enseignement Supérieur) is a French non-profit professional association founded in 1985 and headquartered in Paris (co-located with Mines ParisTech), serving communication directors and teams at universities, engineering schools, business schools, and research organizations in France. The association operates on an institutional membership model — since 2024, establishments subscribe rather than individuals — with two tiers priced at 210€ (up to 2 communicators) and 420€ (more than 2) annually, granting access to the full portfolio of services.

Its core product surface includes the Ma Communauté Arces social network (powered by Jamespot), a structured training program (half-day sessions at 210€, full-day sessions at 420€), the annual Prix de la Communication competition (6 categories, 17th edition in 2026), the biennial Grandes Journées conference (450€ member / 700€ non-member), the L'Observatoire des Métiers de la Communication (20+ years of longitudinal sector research), and an expert video library. Operations are supported by a 12-person team, a Déléguée générale (Nathalie Belviso Perret since January 2024), and President Sandra Demoulin.

The business model is a hybrid of recurring membership subscriptions and transactional event/training fees, with a sales-led and event-driven go-to-market targeting the French ESR (Enseignement Supérieur et Recherche) sector. The association is financed by member dues and event revenue, with no external funding, parent company, or private equity involvement. Strategic partnerships — notably European association Euprio and a network of agencies (Epiceum, Naga, Acti, We Are Social) — extend its training and member services without scaling in-house bench.

Name

Arces

Legal name

Association des responsables de communication de l'enseignement supérieur (ARCES)

Website

https://arces.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arces is a French non-profit association founded in 1985 that provides institutional membership, training, awards, and networking to communication professionals at universities, engineering schools, business schools, and research organizations throughout France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Institutional Membership Fees: Annual membership fees charged at the establishment level. Two tiers based on communication team size: 210€ TTC for establishments with up to 2 communicators, 420€ TTC for establishments with more than 2 communicators. Valid for one calendar year.
2. Training and Event Registration Fees: Registration fees for workshops, seminars, and training sessions offered to members and non-members. Half-day sessions priced at 210€, full-day or multi-day sessions at 420€. Grande Journée event has specific member/non-member pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Arces is a French professional association (loi 1901) founded in 1985 that provides institutional membership, training, networking, and awards programs for communication professionals in higher education and research. Its core offerings include annual institutional membership (€210–€420), the Prix de la Communication awards competition, the biennial Grandes Journées conference, sector-specific training workshops, the L'Observatoire des Métiers research publication, and Ma Communauté Arces — a private member social network powered by Jamespot.

Product overview

Arces (Association des Responsables de Communication de l'Enseignement Supérieur) is a professional association for communication professionals in French higher education and research, founded in 1985. The organization offers a unified membership platform that combines institutional membership, professional development training, community networking via Ma Communauté Arces, an annual awards program (Les Prix de la Communication), industry research via L'Observatoire des Métiers, and major conferences through the Grandes Journées. The association also provides expert video content and publishes member profiles and case studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adhésion à l'Arces (Institutional Membership) Annual institutional membership providing access to networking, professional development, training, and resources for communication professionals in French higher education and research. Since 2024, memberships are organized at the institution level, covering all communicators within a member establishment. Pricing: €210 TTC for establishments with up to 2 communicators, €420 TTC for establishments with more than 2.
• Formations ARCES (Training Programs) Professional development seminars and workshops offered throughout the year in short (2-hour) and longer formats (1–2 days), always in small groups. Topics cover communication strategy, digital marketing, crisis communication, social media, SEO/GEO, responsible communication, and project management specific to the higher education sector. Pricing: €210 half-day, €420 full-day.
• Les Prix de la Communication Annual communication awards competition recognizing the most innovative communication initiatives from member institutions in 6 categories: student community communication, scientific communication, internal communication, brand/corporate communication, RSE/societal commitments, and attractiveness communication. 2025 edition drew 87 dossiers from 42 establishments; 2026 edition (17th) drew 68 candidates from 34 institutions.
• Ma Communauté Arces Private social network for association members powered by Jamespot. Serves as a platform for exchanges, expertise sharing, career opportunities, and professional networking among communication professionals in higher education and research. Reserved to current members.
• L'Observatoire des Métiers de la Communication Research publication tracking the evolution of communication professions in higher education and research, providing insights on team composition, strategic priorities, and workforce trends in the sector. Published for over 20 years.
• Grandes Journées de l'Arces Major biennial conference event held at member institutions, bringing together communication professionals to discuss trends and challenges in higher education communication. Features expert panels, debates, and networking opportunities. Pricing: €450 (members) / €700 (non-members).
• Vidéos Experts Expert video content library providing members with recordings and insights from industry professionals on communication topics relevant to higher education and research institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 Prix de la communication: Record participation with 87 dossiers from 42 establishments
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EupriocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013European association of higher education communicants (homologue of Arces at European level). Euprio connects approximately 700 communication directors from universities, schools, and research centers across Europe. Arces members can join Euprio directly. Partnership provides cross-border networking and European perspective on higher education communication trends.
• Le Figaro EtudiantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership (over 10 years) with Le Figaro Etudiant Pro, specialized media supporting schools and training organizations in communication strategy and student recruitment. Collaboration on conferences and content about student choice criteria.
• Oscar CRMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner dedicated to CRM solutions for higher education institutions. Oscar CRM supports establishments in developing customer relationship management strategy.
• Nomad EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational media partner supporting student orientation and establishment visibility.
• ThothisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital media platform become a reference for 15-30 year olds on orientation and professional integration topics. Partnership signed to support member institutions with student recruitment communication.
• GMF AssurancesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance partner supporting public service agents and employees of public companies. GMF is engaged in education access and knowledge dissemination. Partnership active since June 2022.
• Banque Populaire Rives de ParisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partner supporting Arces development and projects.
• Agence MadameMonsieurminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunication agency partner contributing to Arces events and projects.
• DECOMBATminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrinting partner supporting Arces communication materials and event logistics.
• EpiceumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunication consultancy partner co-organizing webinars and training events with Arces. Collaboration on topics including crisis communication, data-driven communication, and brand strategy.
• Agence NagaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital and communication agency providing expert trainers for Arces workshops on topics including GEO/SEO, influence marketing, social media, and digital advertising.
• Acti AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital marketing agency providing expert trainers for Arces sessions on GEO/SEO and digital strategy.
• Association Française des Fundraisers (AFF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for the 19th conference on fundraising in higher education and health. Preferential tariff offered for first 10 Arces member institutions registering.
• We Are SocialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial media agency providing expert trainers for Arces social media strategy workshops.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• UCISA - Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association: UK-based membership organization for digital and IT professionals in higher education. Adjacent peer in the sense of serving a specialist functional cohort (digital/IT) inside the same institutional setting, but operating in a different functional domain than Arces' communications focus.
• Universities UK (UUK): UK representative body for the executive leadership of universities. Operates at a different organizational level (institutional heads/VPs) rather than the communications-director cohort Arces serves, but functions as a related higher education membership body with policy influence.
• NAFSA - Association of International Educators: US-based association serving international educators and professionals across higher education. Adjacent peer in serving a specialist functional cohort inside higher education institutions, but focused on internationalization rather than communications.
• NACA - National Association for Campus Activities: US-based professional association supporting campus activities and student engagement professionals in higher education institutions. Targets a related but distinct functional cohort within the same higher education setting; not a direct competitor to Arces' communications-director audience.
• EAIR - European Association for Institutional Research: European professional association for higher education institutional research, planning, and policy professionals. Serves an adjacent academic-practitioner cohort in the same institutional setting; shares Arces' European/EU-level positioning but is functionally distinct.

Broad incumbents

• CASE - Council for Advancement and Support of Education: Global professional association serving advancement, communications, alumni relations, and fundraising professionals in higher education. Overlaps Arces' communications-and-events focus but operates at a much larger scope, across multiple continents, and with a broader portfolio of disciplines.
• PRCA - Public Relations and Communications Association (UK): UK-based professional body for PR and communications practitioners across all industries. Shares Arces' emphasis on training, events, and accreditation, but serves all sectors rather than specializing in higher education, making it a broader incumbent rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Euprio: European association for higher education communications directors across universities, schools, and research centers. Arces' explicit homologue at the EU level with similar membership, awards, and training offerings; Arces holds a partnership with Euprio since 2013, and member institutions can join directly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ARCES-Association
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-arces

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Arces