GIOYA Higher Education Institution

What GIOYA Higher Education Institution does

GIOYA Higher Education Institution is a private, accredited higher education provider founded in 2019 and headquartered in San Gwann, Malta under MFHEA License 2019-005. It is authorized to issue European-valid degree courses from MQF Level 5 to Level 8, with recognition facilities across 30 Commonwealth countries. The institution operates campuses in Malta, Geneva (at the UN University for Peace), and Marbella/Fuengirola (The Embassy Sport Premium), with strategic alliances in Shanghai, Bahrain, and Tuscany.

Its core products span accredited academic degrees and short executive programs. The academic catalog includes the Executive Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy (joint with UN University for Peace, Level 8), a Doctorate in Business Administration (Level 8), a Postgraduate Diploma on Peaceful Coexistence (joint with UPEACE and KHGC, Level 7), and a Bachelor in International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (Level 6) with double-degree pathways through the University of Turin and ICES, plus CIFAL-UNITAR sustainability certification. Executive offerings include 3-14 day intensive programs in Geneva on commercial diplomacy, a Joint Executive Programme in International Investment Arbitration (capped at 5 participants), a Diamond Learning Experience, and the Blue and Green Economy Leadership: Yachting & Maritime program with TYT/Navigo. Sub-brands include The Embassy Sport Premium by GIOYA and Yachting World School. A distinguishing feature is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), allowing up to 50% of a Bachelor's degree to be credited from professional experience.

The business model combines recurring annual membership tiers (Essential, Advanced, Elite), tuition from capped degree cohorts, fees from short executive certifications, and professional services for RPL assessments. Go-to-market is selective enterprise-style admissions targeting senior professionals, diplomats, government officials, luxury executives, athletes in transition, and second-generation entrepreneurs. Distribution relies on UN and institutional partnerships, faculty and charter-member networks, GIOYA Insights content, and Erasmus+ project channels. The institution has 12 employees, no disclosed external funding, and founder-led ownership under President and CEO Francesco Cappé.

Name

GIOYA Higher Education Institution

Legal name

GIOYA Higher Education Institution

Website

https://gioya.edu.mt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GIOYA Higher Education Institution is a private, Malta-accredited (MFHEA License 2019-005) higher education provider offering European-valid degrees (MQF Level 5-8) and executive programs in commercial diplomacy, entrepreneurship, luxury management, and sport leadership for senior professionals, diplomats, athletes, and entrepreneurs across six global locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Executive education programs
• Accredited university degrees
• Recognition of prior learning
• Commercial diplomacy training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Gwan, Malta

HQ country

Malta

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Academic Program Fees: Revenue generated from accredited degree programs including Executive Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy, Doctorate in Business Administration, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Bachelor programs. Programs offer double degree pathways with partner institutions.
2. Membership Tiers: Three-tier membership structure (Essential, Advanced, Elite) providing access to academic ecosystem, premium events, personalized coaching, and exclusive networking opportunities.
3. Executive Program Certification: Short-term intensive executive programs (3-14 days) in Geneva offering certifications from GIOYA HEI and UN University for Peace in commercial diplomacy, rule of law, sports excellence, and yachting leadership.
4. Professional Services: Recognition of Prior Learning assessments, student support services, and academic program coordination.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GIOYA Higher Education Institution is an accredited higher education institution that delivers flexible, accredited university degree programs and executive education courses for senior professionals, executives, diplomats, and government officials. Its offerings span academic degrees (Bachelor, Postgraduate Diploma, Executive Doctorate, DBA) from MQF Level 5 to Level 8, short-term executive programs in Geneva certified jointly with the UN University for Peace, and specialized programs in commercial diplomacy, luxury management, entrepreneurship, yachting/maritime leadership, and sport leadership. A distinctive feature is its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) capability, which converts real-life professional experience into European academic credits (up to 50% of a bachelor's degree).

Product overview

GIOYA Higher Education Institution is a learning business club offering flexible accredited university programs across multiple global locations. The institution operates a multi-tiered product portfolio consisting of: (1) Academic Degree Programs including Executive Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy (joint with UN UPEACE, Level 8), Doctorate in Business Administration DBA (Level 8), Postgraduate Diploma on Peaceful Coexistence (joint with UPEACE and KHGC, Level 7), and Bachelor in International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (with Double Degree options through ICES or University of Turin, Level 6); (2) Executive Education Programs including the Executive Programme in Blue and Green Economy Leadership Yachting & Maritime (with TYT/Navigo), Executive Programme in Commercial Diplomacy, Diamond Learning Experience tailor-made journeys, and Joint Executive Programme in International Investment Arbitration; (3) Specialized Sub-brands including The Embassy Sport Premium (sport leadership) and Yachting World School. The institution focuses on commercial diplomacy, entrepreneurship, luxury management, and sport leadership sectors with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) options allowing up to 50% credit for professional experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Embassy Sport Premium by GIOYA: Sports leadership program for athletes and sports professionals
• Yachting World School
• GIOYA Insights
• GIOYA Membership

Products and services

• Executive Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy Joint degree program with UN University for Peace (UPEACE) accredited at Level 8 of the Malta Qualifications Framework and European Qualifications Framework. Reserved for executives, policy makers, and highly qualified professionals, with opening ceremony at the UN in Geneva. Limited to 50 admitted per year.
• Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) Accredited doctoral program at Level 8 EQF recognition, offered by GIOYA HEI in English, Spanish, and French.
• Postgraduate Diploma on Peaceful Coexistence Joint program with UN University for Peace and King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance, accredited at Level 7 MQF with 60 ECTS credits. Designed for diplomatic field and governmental body employees.
• Bachelor International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship Accredited Bachelor program at Level 6 MQF/EQF with optional Double Degree pathways with ICES (France) or University of Turin (Italy), plus CIFAL-UNITAR certification in sustainability. Allows Recognition of Prior Learning up to 50%.
• Executive Programme in Blue and Green Economy Leadership: Yachting & Maritime Executive program developed with TYT/Navigo for professionals in the yachting sector, offering strategic insights, industry access, and sustainability focus. Certified by CIFAL Global Network - UNITAR. Delivered in Tuscany, Fort Lauderdale (Miami), and Geneva.
• Executive Programme in Commercial Diplomacy Short-term intensive executive program (3-14 days) on commercial diplomacy and rule of law in foreign affairs, delivered in Geneva and certified by GIOYA HEI and UN University for Peace.
• Diamond Learning Experience Tailor-made high-level learning journeys through a global ecosystem of entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and institutional partners, designed to elevate leadership, vision, and global awareness through curated international experiences.
• Joint Executive Programme in International Investment Arbitration & Commercial Diplomacy Joint executive program with leading institutions focusing on international investment arbitration and commercial diplomacy. Limited to 5 participants per cohort.

Quantifiable outcome

• Degrees recognized in 30 Commonwealth countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• UN University for Peace (UPEACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint degree programs including Executive Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy and Postgraduate Diploma on Peaceful Coexistence. UN University for Peace has granted a permanent seat in GIOYA's Academic Senate. Programs are accredited by both institutions with Level 8 EQF recognition.
• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIFAL Global Network partnership providing UN certifications in sustainability and responsible leadership. Joint executive programs in commercial diplomacy and executive education. Julio Andrade Ruiz served as Deputy Director of CIFAL Global Network.
• University of Turin (Unito)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble degree partnership in International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. University of Turin provides Italian National Academic Validation. Faculty exchange and joint research in business management.
• ICES (Institut Catholique de Vendée - French Grand École)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDouble degree partnership adding French National Academic Validation to Bachelor in International Business Administration. Global partnership signing ceremony in France.
• Shanghai Arbitration CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrancesco Cappé serves as Chief Representative of Shanghai Arbitration Commission in Europe. Partnership for commercial diplomacy and international arbitration programs. Xiaohong Liu, former President of Shanghai Arbitration Commission, serves as faculty.
• Navigo / TYT (True Yachting Training)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Executive Program in Blue and Green Economy Leadership: Yachting & Maritime. TYT/Navigo provides industry access, strategic insights, and direct sector engagement for yachting professionals.
• King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance (KHGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program in Postgraduate Diploma on Peaceful Coexistence. KHGC contributes to funding scholarships and supports program with international visibility. Partnership focused on peace, human rights, and development.
• UNIDROIT (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaria Chiara Malaguti serves as President Emeritus of UNIDROIT and chairs the Joint High-Level Council for the Executive Doctorate. UNIDROIT Academy participates in doctorate program governance.
• University of Europe for Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaurits Van Rooijen serves as Rector. Nabil Ayad serves as Director of Global European Diplomatic Academy. Faculty exchange and joint program development in diplomacy.
• Glasgow Caledonian University LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitus Kehinde Olaniyi serves as Professor of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management. Academic collaboration in sustainability and energy diplomacy.
• Sciences Po Law SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiego P. Fernández Arroyo serves as Full Professor, providing international arbitration expertise to faculty.
• Yachting Tuscany DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPietro Angelini serves as CEO of Yachting Tuscany District (world's largest yachting district). Strategic location at heart of premier yachting district supporting Yachting World School.
• ISYL (Italian Super Yacht Lifestyle) FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPietro Angelini serves as Board member of Foundation ISYL. Partnership for yachting higher technical education and professional training.
• Mestieri ToscanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ EVALUE project partner for employment services and labor market access initiatives.
• MedAtlantiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ EVALUE project partner for integrated employment model development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UNITAR (UN Institute for Training and Research): UNITAR delivers executive training and certification programs through its CIFAL Global Network to diplomats, government officials, and executives, including sustainability programs at CIFAL Málaga. The CIFAL Málaga collaboration with GIOYA and the UNITAR certification overlap place UNITAR as both a content partner and a peer in executive training for diplomats and policy makers.
• Schiller International University: Schiller is a U.S.-rooted, multi-campus international university with campuses in the U.S., France, Germany, and Spain, focused on cross-border undergraduate and graduate business and diplomacy programs. GIOYA matches Schiller's model of combining online instruction with in-person executive sessions across jurisdictions.
• Geneva Business School: Geneva Business School is a Swiss-based international business school offering Bachelor, Master, MBA, and DBA programs in Geneva, Barcelona, and online, focused on private-sector professionals. Its Geneva base, DBA offering, and online international model closely mirror GIOYA's structure targeting similar professional learners.
• ESCP Business School: ESCP is a pan-European multi-campus business school with locations in Paris, Berlin, London, Madrid, Turin, and Warsaw offering bachelor, master, MBA, DBA, and executive programs. Its multi-jurisdictional European model and DBA program overlap directly with GIOYA's DBA and Turin Double Degree.
• Hult International Business School: Hult operates undergraduate, MBA, DBA, and executive programs across Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai, and Hong Kong with strong professional-learner focus. Its global multi-campus, dual-degree approach to career-stage professionals places it as a direct operational analog to GIOYA's structure.
• United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE): UPEACE is a UN-mandated institution delivering postgraduate and doctoral programs in peace, diplomacy, and international law from Costa Rica with global executive offerings. UPEACE is both a joint-degree partner and a direct content peer for GIOYA's commercial diplomacy and peaceful coexistence programs.
• EU Business School (EU): EU Business School operates multi-campus undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs across Barcelona, Geneva, Munich, and Montreux with a similar international, English-language, business-accreditation model. GIOYA's Bachelor with Double Degree pathways and Geneva footprint closely mirror EUBS's transnational approach targeting globally mobile professionals.

Broad incumbents

• INSEAD: INSEAD is a top-tier global business school with campuses in Fontainebleau, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi offering MBA, executive MBA, executive education, and doctoral programs. Its executive education and DBA offerings operate as broad incumbents against GIOYA's DBA and commercial diplomacy executive programs in Geneva.
• IMD (International Institute for Management Development): IMD is a Lausanne-based business school offering MBA, EMBA, executive programs, and DBA, with a strong focus on senior executives and a Geneva-region base. Its DBA and executive diploma offerings position it as a broad incumbent competitor for GIOYA's DBA and executive education programs targeting senior professionals in similar verticals.
• London Business School (LBS): London Business School offers MBA, EMBA, Masters in Finance, DBA, and executive education programs targeting senior executives globally. Its DBA and senior-executive programs compete with GIOYA's DBA and Doctorate in Commercial Diplomacy for the same high-end professional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gioyahei
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/gioya-hei
• Instagraminstagram.com/gioya_hei

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 GIOYA Higher Education Institution