What Aware Online does

Aware Online B.V. is a privately held, CRKBO-registered Dutch training institute headquartered in Breda that delivers Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) education to professional investigators, corporate security teams, journalists, researchers and career-oriented learners. The core product is a tiered classroom training pathway — OSINT Training I (Beginner), II (Professional), III (Expert) — culminating in a complete Post-HBO program and three credentials (COI®, COS®, COE®) recognized by CPION, SPEN and SPHBO. Supporting the live instruction is a digital learning environment containing self-paced e-learning modules on topics such as website research, Telegram, Snapchat, OpenStreetMap geolocation and EXIF data, plus monthly gamified OSINT challenges with an XP rewards system.

Underlying technology is a content-and-community platform rather than a software product in the traditional sense: the academy.aware-online.com learning management system, the proprietary My OSINT Buddy® tool, the OSINT challenges engine, and an OSINT vacancies job board sit on top of the website. The business monetizes through professional services (multi-day classroom training, in-company group training, custom curricula) and subscription-style self-serve e-learning module access, with quote-based pricing, a stated 48-hour response window, and operations limited to the EMEA market. No external investors, parent entities or M&A activity are disclosed.

Name

Aware Online

Legal name

Aware Online B.V.

Website

https://aware-online.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Aware Online B.V. is a Dutch, CRKBO-registered training institute that delivers OSINT and SOCMINT classroom programs, certified credentials, and self-paced e-learning modules to investigators, corporate security teams, journalists, and individual learners across EMEA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional OSINT Training and Certification

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

MOOC & Open Course Platforms (EDAFAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cohort-Based Courses & Live Bootcamps (MPACALAC), Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), Basic Digital Literacy (Device, Internet, Email) (EDAAAAAC)

Keywords

• OSINT training
• Open source intelligence education
• SOCMINT training
• Digital investigation courses
• Cyber intelligence certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Breda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional OSINT Training: Multi-day classroom and live online training programs covering OSINT at beginner, professional, and expert levels, including Post-HBO complete programs
2. E-learning Modules: Individual e-learning modules on specific topics such as website research, Telegram research, Snapchat research, geolocating with OpenStreetMap, and EXIF data research
3. In-Company Training: Customized training delivered at client locations or at Aware Online's facility in Breda, including case studies tailored to client needs
4. Custom Training Programs: Tailor-made training programs where clients design their own curriculum
5. My OSINT Buddy Tool: Licensed tool for OSINT research support

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aware Online is a CRKBO-registered training institute delivering Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT) education. It sells multi-day classroom and live-online training programs at beginner, professional, and expert levels (OSINT Training I, II, III), self-paced e-learning modules on specific OSINT topics, in-company and custom corporate training, and recognized certifications (COI®, COS®, COE®). The programs are supported by a proprietary digital learning environment and monthly OSINT challenges.

Product overview

Aware Online is an OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) training company offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and certifications. The core offering consists of three multi-day classroom training programs (OSINT Training I/II/III) that progress from beginner to expert levels, available individually or as a complete Post-HBO package. Supporting the classroom training is a digital learning environment containing e-learning modules on specific topics (websites, Telegram, Snapchat, geolocation, EXIF data), OSINT challenges with experience points, and the proprietary My OSINT Buddy® tool. The company also offers in-company and custom training services for organizations. Certifications include the COI®, COS®, and COE® credentials, officially recognized by CPION, SPEN, and SPHBO. The product architecture is training and education-centric, combining live instruction with online self-paced learning tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My OSINT Buddy®: A proprietary OSINT investigation tool or software product offered by Aware Online.

Products and services

• OSINT Training I (Beginner) Entry-level classroom training introducing Open Source Intelligence fundamentals, covering basic research techniques and methodologies for investigating online information. Leads to the Certified Open Source Investigator® (COI) credential. Targeted at beginners with no prior OSINT experience.
• OSINT Training II (Professional) Intermediate professional-level classroom training for OSINT practitioners, advancing skills in social media intelligence, platform-specific research, and investigative methodologies. Leads to the SPEN-registered Certified Open Source Intelligence Specialist® (COS) credential.
• OSINT Training III (Expert) Advanced expert-level Post-HBO classroom training for experienced OSINT investigators, covering complex investigative techniques, advanced analytics, and specialized research methodologies. Leads to the Certified Open Source Intelligence Expert® (COE) credential.
• OSINT Training Complete (Post-HBO) Complete Post-HBO program combining all three training modules (Beginner, Professional, Expert) into a comprehensive OSINT certification pathway, providing the full COI/COS/COE progression in a single enrollment.
• In-Company Training Customized OSINT training delivered at client organizations or at Aware Online's Breda facility, incorporating case-specific scenarios and tailored curriculum for internal teams. Targeted at organizations and government agencies requiring group training.
• Custom Training (Maatwerktraining) Fully customized OSINT training programs where clients design their own curriculum, learning objectives, and program structure. Targeted at organizations with highly specific investigative training needs.
• E-learning Module: Onderzoek aan Websites 1 (Website Research) Online self-paced module teaching techniques for investigating websites as part of OSINT research, including domain analysis and web forensics.
• E-learning Module: Onderzoek op Telegram (Telegram Research) Online module focused on using Telegram for OSINT investigations, covering channel analysis, group hierarchies, and content extraction.
• E-learning Module: Onderzoek op Snapchat (Snapchat Research) Online module teaching OSINT techniques for investigating Snapchat, including profile analysis, Snap Map research, and content preservation.
• E-learning Module: Geolocaten met OpenStreetMap (Geolocation with OpenStreetMap) Online module covering geolocation techniques using OpenStreetMap for OSINT investigations.
• E-learning Module: Exif Data Onderzoeken (EXIF Data Research) Online module teaching techniques for extracting and analyzing EXIF metadata from images for OSINT purposes.
• My OSINT Buddy® A proprietary OSINT tool or resource developed by Aware Online to support investigative work, licensed for OSINT research use.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SANS Institute: Global leader in cybersecurity and digital forensics training with GIAC certifications. Comparable to Aware Online as a credentialed, instructor-led training provider for security professionals, though SANS operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• (ISC)²: Global cybersecurity certification body (CISSP, SSCP). Comparable professional certification model for security careers; far larger and more globally recognized than Aware Online's credentialing.
• EC-Council: Provider of certified cybersecurity training and credentials (CEH, CHFI). Comparable as a certification-driven training provider for security professionals; broader portfolio but overlapping learner base with Aware Online.

Emerging players

• The OSINT Curious Project: Community-driven OSINT training resource offering tutorials, podcasts, and methodology content for investigators. Comparable niche OSINT training and community engagement model.
• Trace Labs: Non-profit running OSINT capture-the-flag events for missing persons investigations and providing OSINT practitioner training. Comparable niche training/community player for OSINT practitioners.
• Maltego: OSINT investigation tool vendor with training resources for link analysis and open-source investigations. Comparable as an OSINT tooling/training ecosystem player; competes on the tool side adjacent to Aware Online's My OSINT Buddy.
• Hunchly: OSINT browser-based evidence collection tool for investigators, with associated training content. Comparable niche tool/training player in the OSINT investigator segment.

Direct peers

• OSINT Industries: OSINT training and tooling provider focused on social media and phone-based investigations. Most direct peer in terms of OSINT-specific training content and professional investigator target market.
• Bellingcat: Open-source investigations organization offering OSINT training, investigations, and methodology resources. Direct overlap with Aware Online's OSINT training focus and similar target audience of investigators and journalists.

Regional players

• Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association (NISA): Dutch regional intelligence and security studies organization offering intelligence-related training and education. Comparable as a regionally focused intelligence training provider in the same Dutch market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aware-online

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Aware Online