Instituto Superior Tecnológico San Pedro ISTSPE

What Instituto Superior Tecnológico San Pedro ISTSPE does

Instituto Superior Tecnológico San Pedro (ISTSPE) is a private higher education technology institute headquartered in Portoviejo, Manabí province, Ecuador, founded in 2004 under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Portoviejo. It offers four accredited third-level technology degree programs — Educación Inclusiva, Teología Pastoral, Promoción Social Comunitaria, and Emprendimiento y Liderazgo — delivered through semipresential and hybrid modalities with durations of two to two-and-a-half years. The institution is institutionally accredited by Ecuador's CACES (2021) and was approved in 2026 as a Qualified Training Operator by the Ministry of Labor, enabling it to issue certified professional training under the OCC-MDT framework.

The core technology stack consists of an Aula Virtual LMS (evirtual.istspe.edu.ec), a SISCA academic management system, a documentary management system, and a Koha-based digital library containing approximately 17,000 physical volumes plus digital collections. Around 34 teaching staff support a current enrollment of roughly 300 students and a cumulative alumni base of more than 800 graduates. The business model is tuition-driven, with semester fees in the $640–$800 range per program, a $25 enrollment fee, and 30–50% scholarship discounts (notably the 40% Programa de Becas Mons. José Mario Ruiz Navas). Ancillary revenue streams include continuing-education workshops under the OCC-MDT certification and a 9-month homologation program validating prior professional experience.

The institution's go-to-market relies on direct-to-consumer enrollment via social media, WhatsApp, and a vocational testing tool on its institutional website, augmented by a referral network of 50+ regional partners including GAD municipalities, parish governments, universities (UNIR, PUCE, USGP, UTM), foundations, and NGOs such as PLAN International and Cáritas Arquidiocesana. It targets adult learners and working professionals seeking accessible, values-based third-level credentials in Manabí, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or subsidiaries.

Name

Instituto Superior Tecnológico San Pedro ISTSPE

Legal name

Instituto Superior Tecnológico de Ciencias Religiosas y Educación en Valores San Pedro

Website

https://istspe.edu.ec

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISTSPE is a private Catholic-affiliated higher education technology institute in Portoviejo, Ecuador, offering four accredited third-level technology degree programs (inclusive education, pastoral theology, social community promotion, entrepreneurship) plus certified continuing-education training, serving approximately 300 enrolled students and 800+ alumni.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutes of Technology (IoT / Technical Universities) (EDAHAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online/Hybrid ASE Programs & Virtual Classrooms (EDAAABAG)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Technology degree programs
• Pastoral theology education
• Inclusive education training
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Portoviejo

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: ISTSPE generates revenue through tuition fees charged per semester for technology programs, enrollment/matriculation fees, and continuing education course fees. Programs include full-price tuition and scholarship-discounted rates.
2. Continuing Education Services: Revenue from professional development courses, workshops, diplomas, and training programs offered through the institution's qualified training operator status with the Ministry of Labor.
3. Homologation Program: Professional experience validation program allowing students to obtain third-level titles through validation of prior work experience, charged at program enrollment fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ISTSPE is a private higher education technology institute that delivers four accredited third-level technology degree programs (Tecnología Superior) in Inclusive Education, Pastoral Theology, Community Social Promotion, and Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Instruction is offered through semipresencial and hybrid modalities via the Aula Virtual LMS and on-campus facilities, supplemented by a 9-month homologation program for experience-based degree validation and certified continuing education workshops under the Ministry of Labor's OCC-MDT designation.

Product overview

ISTSPE operates as a higher education technology institute offering four main technology degree programs (Tecnología Superior) spanning inclusive education, pastoral theology, social community promotion, and entrepreneurship/leadership. These core academic programs are delivered through a combination of presential and hybrid modalities via an integrated technology ecosystem including the Aula Virtual learning management system, SISCA academic management platform, and Koha-powered digital library. Beyond degree programs, the institution provides continuing education through a Qualified Training Operator certification (OCC-MDT) offering professional workshops, a scholarship program (Becas Monseñor José Mario Ruiz Navas), an accelerated homologation/credit-by-experience program, student welfare services, and institutional publications. The portfolio is unified around values-based higher education with a focus on religious sciences, social development, and community service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tecnología Superior en Educación Inclusiva Technology degree program training professionals to support inclusive education for students with special educational needs (NEE), sensory or cognitive disabilities. 2-year semipresencial program. SENESCYT-registered.
• Tecnología Superior en Teología Pastoral Technology degree in pastoral theology forming professionals for ecclesiastical education, community pastoral work, and religious instruction. 2.5-year semipresencial program. SENESCYT-registered.
• Tecnología Superior en Promoción Social Comunitaria Social work and community development technology degree preparing professionals to address social problems and strengthen community development. Hybrid modality. SENESCYT-registered.
• Tecnología Superior en Emprendimiento y Liderazgo Entrepreneurship and leadership technology degree developing skills to design, launch, and advise business ventures with sustainable approaches. 2-year hybrid program. SENESCYT-registered.
• Programa de Homologación por Validación de Ejercicio Profesional Accelerated 9-month hybrid program allowing professionals to obtain SENESCYT-registered third-level technology degrees by validating prior work experience or professional practice. Available for all four career programs.
• Educación Continua - OCC MDT (Continuing Education Workshops) Certified continuing education workshops, courses, diplomas, and congresses delivered under Qualified Training Operator (Operador de Capacitación Calificado) certification from the Ministry of Labor. Workshops cover Leadership and Teamwork (40 hours), Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Taxation and Good Practices, Quality Management, Educational and Curricular Design, Trainer of Trainers, Didactics for Special Needs, Digital Marketing, and Human Talent Management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ graduates since founding
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

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

• UNIR - Universidad Internacional de la RiojacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university partnership for professional development programs, teacher training, and continuing education through UNIR - Universidad Internacional de la Rioja. ISTSPE offers professional improvement courses through this partnership.
• USGP - Universidad San Gregorio de PortooviejocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal university partnership with San Gregorio de Portooviejo for academic collaboration, joint research, and student exchange opportunities.
• UTM - Universidad Técnica de ManabícoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional university partnership with Universidad Técnica de Manabí for academic and research collaboration.
• Gobierno Provincial de ManabímajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with provincial government for community development projects, professional practices, and institutional outreach activities.
• GAD Municipal del Cantón SucremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal government partnership for community service, academic socialization of programs, and joint social initiatives.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with PUCE for academic collaboration, research initiatives, and potential student pathways.
• Cáritas Arquidiocesana de PortoviejomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerChurch-affiliated social organization partnership for community outreach, social projects, and pastoral activities.
• Fundación FUNCOCIMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partnership for social development and community support initiatives.
• PLAN Internacional EcuadormajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational NGO partnership for child protection, education programs, and community development projects.
• HIAS - Organización Internacional de MigrantesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational migration organization partnership for support services and educational programs.
• Alianza Académica Socio-Religiosa (CEMLAD, ISTU RUMIÑAHUI, ISTU ORIENTE, IST SAN PEDRO, IST AMERICAN COLLEGE, IST ADVENTISTA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic alliance establishing a cooperation network for socio-religious academic matters among multiple technological institutes.
• GAD Parroquiales múltiples (Honorato Vásquez, Quiroga, San Pablo de Pueblo Nuevo, Pedro Pablo Gómez, Cascol, El Rosario, San Isidro, Durán Ballén, entre otros)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple rural parish government partnerships for community service, professional practices, and local development projects.
• Various GAD Municipales (Manta, Chone, Puerto López, Flavio Alfaro)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal government partnerships across multiple cantons for community engagement and professional practice opportunities.
• Various Foundations (FUCFORMIDM, Colón Vive, Nuevos Horizontes, Ecológica Nueva Vida, Corazón Solidario, Simón Palacios Intriago, Patitos, Mujeres en Acción por el Cambio, entre otros)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple foundation partnerships for social programs, community development, and special population support initiatives.
• Various Educational Institutions (Unidad Educativa Víctor Sergio Ron Vega, María de la Merced, Felipe Intriago Bravo, Santa Ana, entre otros)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnerships with secondary schools for student recruitment, professional practices, and academic collaboration.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UNIR - Universidad Internacional de la Rioja: Spanish-based online/distance higher education university; comparable as a strategic partner sharing hybrid/online learning delivery and as a peer in international online higher education serving Latin American working professionals.
• Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL): Large Catholic private university in Ecuador known for distance learning; comparable for its religious affiliation, hybrid learning model, and continuous education offerings similar to ISTSPE's portfolio.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE): Ecuador's leading Catholic university; comparable for religious-affiliated higher education positioning and values-based academic ethos, also serving as a named strategic partner of ISTSPE.
• Universidad San Gregorio de Portoviejo (USGP): Private university based in Portoviejo; direct local competitor and named strategic partner of ISTSPE with overlapping academic programs in the same immediate geography.
• Universidad Técnica de Manabí (UTM): Public technical university serving the same Manabí province; direct regional higher-education peer competing for the same student pool while also serving as a named strategic partner of ISTSPE.
• Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG): Major Catholic university in Guayaquil; comparable for its religious-affiliated higher education ethos and similar academic program offerings targeting working professionals and hybrid learners in Ecuador.
• Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí (ULEAM): Main public university in Manabí province; comparable as a regional higher education competitor with substantially larger scale operating in the same primary geography as ISTSPE.

Broad incumbents

• Tecnológico de Monterrey: Largest private university in Mexico with extensive online learning infrastructure; comparable as a broad incumbent in Latin American online higher education competing for similar working-adult and distance-learning student segments.

Emerging players

• Universidad Casa Grande: Private university in Guayaquil with similar private higher education positioning in Ecuador; comparable as a small-to-mid private university peer targeting hybrid learners and continuing education segments.

Regional players

• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP): Leading Catholic university in Peru; comparable for religious-affiliated higher education positioning and values-based academic mission, though primarily serving a different national market in the Andean region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/istspe_sanpedro
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISTSPE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/instituto-superior-tecnologico-san-pedro
• TikToktiktok.com/@.istspe?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Instituto Superior Tecnológico San Pedro ISTSPE