Holberton School France

What Holberton School France does

Holberton School France, operated by Actual Digital France SAS (a subsidiary of Groupe Actual, headquartered in Laval), is a private RNCP-certified tech education institution delivering project-based software engineering training across three credential tiers: KickStart (RNCP 5, 9 months full-time), Bachelor (RNCP 6, three specializations: Agentic AI FullStack, Cybersécurité, AI & Big Data, delivered in 12 months full-time or 18 months apprenticeship), and Mastère (RNCP 7, 24 months in IT project management). The pedagogy is 100% project-based with no traditional lectures, using peer learning and AI-augmented pair programming with tools such as Claude AI; supplementary offerings include the LaunchPad 2–6 month post-Bachelor incubator for launching real applications, three annual Job Dating events with 19+ employers and 80+ interviews, an L'Hippocamp' one-month free trial, and a Paris-based VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) service.

The technical core is a curriculum stack spanning full-stack web development, C-language fundamentals, AI tool usage, agentic AI orchestration, data engineering, and cybersecurity, delivered via a proprietary platform that supports both physical and virtual cohorts. Distribution is anchored by nine French campuses (Bordeaux/Cenon, Fréjus, Laval, Paris/Puteaux, Rennes, Sens, Thonon-les-Bains, Toulouse) plus a 100% online Virtual Campus; Holberton is certified Grande École du Numérique, RNCP 5/6/7, FEDE, French Tech, and EdTech France, and reports 4,500+ students worldwide with a stated goal of training 1,000 developers in France by 2030.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees (undisclosed but eligible for CPF, OPCO, alternance, and PUR financing), supplemented by apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) collected across the campus network, VAE jury and registration fees (€250 / €500–€850), apprenticeship contracts via OPCO-funded employer partnerships, and ancillary services. The commercial model is a hybrid of B2C tuition, B2B talent placement (with named recruiters including Airbus, RATP, EDF, Capgemini, Google, Thales, Wallix, IBM, CNRS, and the Ministère de l'Intérieur), and B2B2C corporate apprenticeship hiring, all channeled through the GTM stack of direct website application, social/SEO/content marketing, earned media, Job Dating events, student ambassador referrals, and an in-person campus tour experience.

Name

Holberton School France

Legal name

Actual Digital France SAS

Website

https://holbertonschool.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Holberton School France is an Actual Group-owned, RNCP-certified tech school operating ten French campuses that delivers project-based full-stack, AI, cybersecurity, and IT project management programs to career changers and post-bac students, funded primarily through tuition and employer-financed apprenticeships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tech Vocational Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Computer Training (611420), Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF)

Keywords

• Computer science training
• Tech bootcamp programs
• Software engineering education
• Cybersecurity training
• AI development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Puteaux, Île-de-France

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: Holberton provides certified professional training programs (RNCP level 5, 6, and 7) under the French Training Professional code Article L6313-1. Programs include KickStart (BAC+2, 9 months full-time), Bachelor (BAC+3, 6 months full-time or 12 months apprenticeship), and Mastère (BAC+5, 24 months). Revenue is generated through tuition fees for these professional development programs.
2. Apprenticeship Training: Programs are available in alternating work-study format, allowing companies to hire apprentices and receive government support through OPCO funding. This creates revenue through apprenticeship contracts with partner companies.
3. VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience): Prior experience validation services with registration fees (250€) and jury fees (500€ individual or 850€ through organizations). Allows professionals to obtain certification based on work experience.
4. Taxe d'Apprentissage: Collection of apprenticeship tax from companies (0.68% of payroll), with 13% 'solde' freely distributable to educational institutions. Supports pedagogy, equipment, and student life at Holberton schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Holberton School France delivers certified full-stack, AI, and cybersecurity training programs (RNCP levels 5, 6, and 7) through a project-based, peer-learning curriculum supported by AI tools. Programs include KickStart (9 months), Bachelor specializations (Agentic AI FullStack, Cybersécurité, AI & Big Data), and a Mastère in IT project management, delivered across 9 physical campuses plus a virtual campus and supplemented by a LaunchPad incubator for real product launches.

Product overview

Holberton School France is an educational institution offering a multi-tiered tech education portfolio with three main credential tracks: KickStart (RNCP 5, one year) for foundational skills, Bachelor programs (RNCP 6, three specializations: Agentic AI FullStack, Cybersécurité, and AI & Big Data) for comprehensive training, and Mastère (RNCP 7) for advanced IT management. The programs are interconnected through a project-based pedagogy and AI integration throughout. Supplementary offerings include LaunchPad (an incubator for launching real digital products), Job Dating events for employment, VAE for professional validation, and campus locations across France plus a virtual campus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KickStart: AI-Augmented FullStack Developer (RNCP 5) A 9-month full-time intensive program (BAC+2, RNCP 5) providing foundational skills in web development (Front + Back + Database), C programming, and AI-augmented development practices using pair programming with AI tools like Claude AI. Designed for individuals starting a tech career or transitioning into coding.
• Bachelor: Agentic AI FullStack (RNCP 6) A 12-month full-time or 18-month apprenticeship program (BAC+3, RNCP 6) training students to orchestrate AI agents, design scalable applications, and master software architecture with AI integration. Aimed at developers seeking advanced engineering skills.
• Bachelor: Cybersécurité (RNCP 6) A 12-month full-time or 18-month apprenticeship program (BAC+3, RNCP 6) focused on protecting and securing information systems, including pentesting, advanced security audits, cloud security, and incident response.
• Bachelor: AI & Big Data (RNCP 6) A 12-month full-time or 18-month apprenticeship program (BAC+3, RNCP 6) teaching students to design, pilot, and deploy innovative solutions combining software development, data science, and artificial intelligence.
• Mastère: Manager de Projets Informatiques (RNCP 7) A 24-month program (BAC+5, RNCP 7) available full-time or apprenticeship, preparing students for leadership roles in IT project management, covering intelligent application development, IT project management, agile methods, and professional communication.
• Holberton LaunchPad Incubator A 2-6 month incubator program following the Bachelor degree in which students work in teams to launch real mobile applications and digital products consumed by actual users, providing entrepreneurial product-launch experience.
• VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) Prior experience validation service for professionals with at least 1 year of relevant experience, allowing them to obtain official RNCP certifications through a jury-based assessment process. Fees: 250€ registration and 500€ individual / 850€ organization jury fees. Available at the Paris location.

Quantifiable outcome

• Faster than university, more comprehensive than bootcamps - 9 months intensive KickStart to junior developer level
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 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

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WallixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCybersecurity company partnering with Holberton for talent recruitment. Wallix recruits graduates from cybersecurity programs.
• RATPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParis public transportation authority recruiting Holberton graduates for tech positions.
• EDFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench energy company recruiting Holberton graduates.
• AirbusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAerospace company recruiting tech talent from Holberton programs.
• CapgeminiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal consulting firm recruiting Holberton graduates for technology consulting roles.
• ThalesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology and defense company recruiting cybersecurity and tech talent.
• GoogleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology giant recruiting developers from Holberton.
• Cloud TempleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCloud infrastructure company recruiting Holberton graduates.
• Ministère de l'IntérieurminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Interior Ministry recruiting IT talent for government tech positions.
• CNRSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational research center recruiting tech talent.
• Bouygues ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction group recruiting developers for digital transformation projects.
• Groupe ActualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company providing 350K+ job opportunities through its network. Supports school operations, financing, and student employment pathways. All Holberton France schools are part of the Actual Group ecosystem.
• ESUP GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation habilitated to collect apprenticeship tax (taxe d'apprentissage) on behalf of Actual Group schools. UAI number 0923054V for SoltéA platform donations.
• EdTech FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench EdTech industry association member supporting digital education innovation.
• French TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench tech ecosystem initiative supporting Holberton's presence at national tech events like Summer Tech Days.
• Hello StackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTech company participating in Job Dating events.
• InfomaniakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSwiss tech company recruiting at Job Dating events.
• OpenAirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTech startup recruiting developers. Partner for Wifilles program promoting tech to young women.
• KomodalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany hosting student projects and recruiting from C18 Demoday.
• Petit BambouminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMeditation app company participating in student portfolio projects.
• AstroscaleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpace technology company recruiting at Job Dating events.
• PSG AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSports academy collaborated with Holberton students on SaaS platform for sports performance analysis and data management.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Le Wagon: Leading French-founded coding bootcamp offering full-stack and data science bootcamps across multiple French cities and globally. Direct competitor to Holberton's KickStart and AI & Big Data programs with similar full-time, project-based pedagogy and career-focused positioning.
• O'clock: French online-first coding school offering full-stack and front-end developer programs with telepresence-based pedagogy. Competes directly with Holberton's Virtual Campus for remote learners across France, with similar duration and certification outcomes.
• Wild Code School: French tech training school with multiple French campuses offering web development, data, and AI programs. Closely comparable on geography, target audience (career changers), project-based pedagogy, and French corporate apprenticeship partnerships.
• Ironhack: Global coding bootcamp with campuses across Europe including France. Offers full-stack web development, data analytics, and cybersecurity bootcamps—the same core disciplines as Holberton—competing for similar career-changer and post-bac segments.
• DataScientest: French training provider specializing in data science, AI, and machine learning bootcamps with alternance options. Closely comparable to Holberton's AI & Big Data Bachelor on curriculum and apprenticeship-funded model.
• Jedha: French data and AI bootcamp offering full-time and part-time programs with strong focus on Python, data, and machine learning. Competes with Holberton's KickStart and AI & Big Data tracks for the same career-changer segment in France.
• École 42: French-born peer-learning coding school (founded by Xavier Niel) with multiple French campuses. Shares Holberton's project-based, no-lecture, peer-collaboration methodology and zero-tuition model partially funded by employers—directly competing for the same student profile.
• Simplon: French inclusive tech training network with multiple campuses offering web development, data, and cybersecurity programs. Competes with Holberton on regional France footprint and inclusive mission, though with greater non-profit/grant funding mix.

Emerging players

• Konexio: French tech training association focused on digital inclusion, training refugees and underserved populations in web development and digital skills. Shares Holberton's inclusion-oriented value proposition but operates at smaller scale and non-profit orientation.

Broad incumbents

• EPITA: Established French engineering school (Grande École) specializing in computer science and IT, offering Master's-level programs including AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Competes with Holberton's Mastère for graduate-level tech talent recruitment, though with a more traditional degree-granting model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/holbertonfra
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HolbertonFrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/holberton-school-france
• Instagraminstagram.com/holbertonfrance
• TikToktiktok.com/@holbertonfrance

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Holberton School France