Simplon Foundation

What Simplon Foundation does

Simplon Foundation is the dedicated social-impact subsidiary of French tech training organization Simplon, headquartered in Montreuil, Île-de-France, and operated as a non-profit structure focused on digital inclusion. It delivers digital-skills training in development, networks and cybersecurity, data/AI, and broader digital competencies to people distant from employment through a national campus network spanning Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Grand Est, Grand Ouest, Grand Sud Ouest, Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France, Outre-Mer, and Sud, supplemented by distance learning and international activities. Its beneficiary base spans unemployed individuals, refugees, women and girls in tech (WoGiTech), underrepresented groups in tech (Intrépides de la Tech), and youth sensitization audiences, with reported impact including a 73% positive outcome rate, 9,974 youth sensitized to digital technology, ~30,000 participants in collective programs, and 94 refugees trained in 2023.

The product portfolio spans a structured Data/AI curriculum from discovery-level introductions to advanced Bac+5 certifications (Data Analyst Bac+3, Data Engineer Bac+5, Développeur IA), guided learning paths covering generative AI and LLMs, a Summer School IA bootcamp, and complementary add-ons including train-the-trainer (Formation de formateurs), enterprise certifications, and a partner engagement offering. Programs are delivered via full-time training, apprenticeship (alternance), and distance learning formats. The foundation holds Qualiopi certification covering training actions, VAE validation actions, and apprenticeship training actions, enabling access to French public training funding. Distribution relies on a direct, community-led go-to-market via physical campuses, events, content marketing, and a dedicated enterprise channel offering corporate training, recruitment (including Alternance, custom promotions, and disability/PSH pathways), and CSR/engagement services for organizations.

Name

Simplon Foundation

Legal name

Simplon, Inc.

Website

https://foundation.simplon.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simplon Foundation is the non-profit social-impact arm of French tech training organization Simplon, delivering digital skills and Data/AI training programs in development, cybersecurity, and AI to job seekers, refugees, women in tech, and youth across a multi-region French campus network, plus corporate training services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training services for enterprises: Simplon offers corporate training programs to upskill employees in development, networks and cybersecurity, data and AI, and digital competencies. Revenue is generated through professional training contracts with businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Simplon Foundation delivers digital skills training programs (development, networks and cybersecurity, data/AI) to people distant from employment, with a curriculum spanning from discovery-level introductions to advanced professional certifications (Bac+3 to Bac+5). It also provides enterprise services including train-the-trainer programs, corporate certification, and partner offerings, delivered through a nationwide French campus network, apprenticeship/alternance routes, and distance learning.

Product overview

Simplon Foundation is a social enterprise offering a comprehensive portfolio of digital skills training programs and professional development services. The core offering includes specialized Data/AI training programs ranging from discovery-level introductions to advanced professional certifications (Bac+3 to Bac+5), covering Data Analysis, Data Engineering, and AI Development. Complementary enterprise services include trainer certification programs, corporate certification validation, and partner engagement opportunities. The organization also runs targeted diversity initiatives including WoGiTech (Women & Girls in Tech) and Intrépides de la Tech. Programs are delivered through multiple formats including full-time training, apprenticeship (alternance), distance learning, and across regional campuses throughout France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WoGiTech (Women & Girls in Tech): Initiative promoting diversity and equality in tech careers for women and girls.
• Intrépides de la Tech

Products and services

• Data Analyst (Bac +3) Intermediate-level data analysis training program (Bac+3) focused on data interpretation, statistical analysis, and data visualization, intended for individuals pursuing careers in data analytics.
• Data Engineer (Bac +5) Advanced-level data engineering program (Bac+5) covering data pipeline architecture, ETL processes, and large-scale data infrastructure management, targeting professionals advancing into data engineering roles.
• Développeur IA (Bac +3) AI Developer training program (Bac+3) teaching artificial intelligence development, machine learning implementation, and AI solution deployment, for individuals entering AI development roles.
• Découverte Métier IA Discovery program introducing AI professions and career paths for beginners, providing an overview of the field without prior technical requirements.
• Parcours Guidé IA : de la Data à l'IA générative Guided learning path transitioning from data fundamentals to generative AI, covering the progression from basic data skills to advanced generative AI technologies for discovery-level learners.
• Parcours Guidé IA : du Machine Learning aux LLMs Guided learning path from machine learning fundamentals to Large Language Models (LLMs), structured for discovery-level learners seeking an introduction to modern AI techniques.
• Summer School IA Intensive summer AI bootcamp offering immersive discovery-level training in artificial intelligence concepts and applications, targeted at learners seeking a short-format AI introduction.
• Formation de formateurs Train-the-trainer program enabling enterprise organizations to build internal training capabilities through Simplon's pedagogical expertise and methodologies, targeted at corporate clients.
• Certifications (Enterprise) Enterprise certification services enabling companies to validate and credential their workforce through recognized professional certifications, leveraging Simplon's Qualiopi certification.
• Offre partenaire Partner program offering collaborative engagement opportunities for organizations to support Simplon's mission of inclusive digital training, available to enterprise and institutional partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of participants achieve positive outcomes (employment or continued training)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Simplon FoundationOthersSimplon Foundation is the social impact arm of Simplon.co, dedicated to digital inclusion and professional integration for people distant from employment. The foundation operates programs for refugees, women in tech (WoGiTech), and youth, while the main Simplon entity focuses on professional training for enterprises.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wild Code School: French operator of intensive coding and data bootcamps offering Bac+2/Bac+3/Bac+5 programs with campuses across France; directly comparable to Simplon's Bac+3/Bac+5 developer, data, and AI training tracks.
• Ironhack: Global coding and UX/UI bootcamp with European (Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin) campuses covering web dev, data, and cyber; competes for the same enterprise training and individual learner cohort as Simplon.
• Ecole 42: French non-profit, tuition-free computer science school founded by Xavier Niel with a peer-to-peer, project-based curriculum and multiple French campuses; the closest mission-aligned non-profit coding-school peer to Simplon Foundation.
• OpenClassrooms: French online education platform offering Bac+2 to Bac+5 diploma programs in development, data, and tech with apprenticeship pathways; comparable on curriculum level, online/distance learning delivery, and enterprise partnerships.
• Konexio: French non-profit providing digital skills training and professional integration for refugees, migrants, and job seekers in France and internationally; directly comparable to Simplon Foundation's refugee and inclusion programs.
• Le Wagon: French-founded global coding and data bootcamp offering full-time and part-time web development, data science, and AI programs in 40+ cities; closely comparable product offering and bootcamp format to Simplon's enterprise and individual training.
• Emmaüs Connect: French non-profit under the Emmaüs umbrella focused on digital inclusion, training vulnerable populations in digital skills, and fighting the digital divide; highly comparable social mission, target population, and French geographic focus.
• Generation (by McKinsey): Global non-profit delivering tech and digital skills training programs targeting unemployed/underemployed individuals with employer-anchored curricula; comparable employment-outcome focus and employer-linked training model.

Broad incumbents

• Codecademy: Large online platform offering interactive coding, data, and AI courses for individuals and enterprise teams; overlapping subject-matter coverage (web dev, data, AI) though competing primarily through self-paced online delivery rather than regional campuses.

Emerging players

• Techfugees: Non-profit organization connecting refugees with technology careers through training, mentorship, and employer connections; intersects with Simplon Foundation's refugee training mission and WoGiTech diversity programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simplon-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 Simplon Foundation