Simplon Grand Ouest

What Simplon Grand Ouest does

Simplon Grand Ouest is a regional division of Simplon, a French tech training organization, established in 2017 and headquartered in Nantes, Pays de la Loire. The organization delivers vocational technology training across four curriculum sectors — Development, Networks & Cybersecurity, Data/AI, and Digital Skills — through eight physical campuses in the Grand Ouest region (Blois, Brest, Saint-Brieuc, Tours, Caen, Angers, Rennes, Nantes) plus distance learning options. Program formats span discovery-level workshops, alternance (work-study) apprenticeships, and full programs ranging from Bac to Bac+5, with credentials recognized by France Compétences. Specialized offerings include VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience), disability-inclusive programs for RQTH holders, and partnership-delivered curricula with Apple, IBM, and Wild Code School.

The organization operates a hybrid GTM motion. On the learner side, it runs information sessions, webinars, and open days, complemented by referral partnerships with France Travail, Cap Emploi, and disability organizations. On the enterprise side, it engages HR and L&D departments for employee upskilling, apprenticeship recruitment, and custom cohort promotions with a roster of 30+ corporate partners including Thales, Capgemini, Accenture, Engie, Naval Group, Crédit Agricole, Groupe BPCE, and Inetum. Revenue is generated through two principal streams: public funding and subsidies (Opco Atlas, Région Bretagne, Angers Métropole, Préfecture de Loire-Atlantique, Agefiph) that reduce or eliminate direct learner costs, and enterprise training contracts funded through professional training budgets. The organization holds Qualiopi certification, a regulatory quality credential required for many French professional training funding flows. Reported operational metrics include 70% positive graduate outcomes (employment or further training), 94% certification pass rate, and 36% women trainee representation.

Name

Simplon Grand Ouest

Legal name

Simplon, Inc.

Website

https://grandouest.simplon.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Simplon Grand Ouest is a French vocational tech training organization operating eight campuses across western France, delivering Development, Cybersecurity, Data/AI, and Digital Skills programs from discovery level through Bac+5 to job seekers, career changers, and enterprises, funded via OPCO subsidies and regional public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Tech Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA), Train-the-Trainer & Instructor Enablement Services (BPAEANAL), Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ), Mobile, Web & UI Engineering (Frontend, Backend, APIs, Mobile) (EDABAFAM), Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

Keywords

• Tech vocational training
• Digital skills training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Cybersecurity training
• Data and AI training

Headquarters

HQ city

Blois

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Subsidies: Simplon Grand Ouest is funded through support from Opco Atlas, Région Bretagne, Angers Métropole, Préfecture de Loire-Atlantique, and Agefiph. These public and parapublic bodies subsidize training costs, reducing or eliminating direct costs for learners.
2. Enterprise Training Contracts: Companies engage Simplon to train their employees, with costs potentially covered through professional training budgets and OPCO funding.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Simplon Grand Ouest is a vocational training provider delivering tech education programs across Development, Networks & Cybersecurity, Data/AI, and Digital Skills. Programs range from discovery-level workshops through Bac+5 advanced certifications, delivered via project-based pedagogy across 8 campuses and distance learning. The organization also offers enterprise training contracts, apprenticeship (alternance) recruitment, VAE experience validation, and train-the-trainer programs for corporate clients.

Product overview

Simplon Grand Ouest is a technology education provider offering vocational training programs across four sectors: Développement (Development), Réseaux & Cybersécurité (Networks & Cybersecurity), Data / IA (Data & AI), and Compétences numériques (Digital Skills). The portfolio comprises standalone training programs (Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Développeur IA) and partnership-based programs delivered with Wild Code School, Apple, and IBM (Architecte Technique, Apple Foundation Program, IBM GLE Cyber parcours). Programs range from discovery-level workshops to advanced Bac+5 certifications, with formats including standard training, apprenticeship (alternance), and remote learning. Supporting services include VAE (validation of prior experience), trainer certification, and enterprise certification programs. The organization operates 8 campuses in the Grand Ouest region (Blois, Brest, Saint-Brieuc, Tours, Caen, Angers, Rennes, Nantes).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Data Analyst (Bac+3)

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of graduates achieve positive outcomes (employment or continued education)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership including Apple Foundation Program for iOS development training, providing curriculum content and developer tools access.
• France TravailcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational employment agency partnership for learner referrals and career guidance services.
• Cap EmploicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecialized employment agency for people with disabilities, providing referrals and support for RQTH holders.
• ATDECminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner organization for training and employment support.
• WeKerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner supporting training and employment initiatives.
• ISENminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering school partnerships for campus locations in Brest and Caen, providing facilities and academic support.
• Fabrique Numérique 41minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital training facility partnership for Blois campus location.
• CCI Côtes d'ArmorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Commerce partnership for Saint-Brieuc campus.
• Greta Centre Val de LoireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdult education network partnership for Tours campus.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• O'clock: French fully-remote coding bootcamp focused on web development and cybersecurity with alternance pathways. Competes for tech-career-changer learners across France including the Grand Ouest region.
• Le Wagon: Leading French-founded coding and data bootcamp offering full-time, part-time, and alternance tracks across France. Competes directly for career-changer learners and enterprise upskilling contracts in the same Development and Data/AI categories.
• Ironhack: International tech bootcamp with campuses in France delivering web development, data, and cybersecurity bootcamps. Targets the same career-changer segment with similar intensive, project-based pedagogy.
• DataScientest: French data and AI training provider offering bootcamps and alternance programs in Data Engineering, Data Science, and AI. Directly competes for the same Data/IA learners and corporate upskilling budgets.
• Holberton School: Project-based software engineering school with a French campus offering full-time and remote programs in software development. Competes for career-changer talent pools with similar peer-learning pedagogy.
• Wild Code School: French tech bootcamp offering web development, data, and cybersecurity programs with alternance and apprenticeship formats. Simplon Grand Ouest already co-delivers several Bac+3 and Bac+5 programs with Wild Code School, making it the closest direct peer.
• Jedha: French data and cybersecurity bootcamp offering full-time, part-time, and alternance programs. Directly competes in the Data/IA and Réseaux & Cybersécurité tracks that are core to Simplon Grand Ouest's portfolio.
• The Bridge: French full-stack and data bootcamp with alternance offerings targeting career changers. Operates in overlapping segments (Développement, Data) and competes for similar employer partnerships.

Others

• IBM SkillsBuild: IBM's free digital skilling platform with tech, cybersecurity, and AI content, already powering Simplon Grand Ouest's IBM GLE Cyber parcours. Functions as both a content supplier and an indirect competitor for self-serve learners.

Broad incumbents

• 42 (École 42): Tuition-free, peer-to-peer software engineering school with multiple French campuses. Operates as a broader incumbent in free, no-prerequisites tech education that overlaps with Simplon's inclusive-access mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/simplon-grand-ouest

Compliance1 record

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 Simplon Grand Ouest