LifeVersity

What LifeVersity does

LifeVersity is an academic startup founded in 2019 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, operating as a division of ERBS B.V. (Erasmus University Rotterdam's academic incubator since January 2024). The company delivers evidence-informed, practice-based skill training programs centered on 21st-century capabilities including public speaking, communication, leadership, creative problem-solving, negotiation, and generative AI. Its core technology stack rests on a proprietary methodology framework (the EASE approach — Enthusiasm for Learning, Active Learning Approach, Safe Learning Space, Evidence-informed practice) and the Erasmus Speaking Method, which blends improvisation, rhetoric, and psychology. A notable technical component is VR-based public speaking training that simulates high-pressure speaking environments with immediate feedback. The portfolio includes Speaking Gym (monthly community practice), a 3-week Public Speaking Confidence Course, modular Company Training tracks (Public Speaking, Communication, Creative Thinking & Problem Solving), Academic Training for universities, Individual Coaching, and the GenAI Essentials 6-week program.

LifeVersity serves three primary customer segments: individual professionals seeking personal development, corporate organizations seeking team training, and academic institutions (notably Erasmus University Rotterdam, Maastricht University, and RSM) integrating skill courses into curricula. Named enterprise and institutional clients include Jamestown, Shell (Young Shell), Welzijn Velsen, Stichting Rot.Jong, and Cultuur Concreet, alongside the anchor Erasmus relationship. Across all programs, the company reports 6,000+ participants trained, 23 organizational clients, an 8.7/10 average satisfaction rating, and a 100% satisfaction rate across five consecutive years of Erasmus University Rotterdam courses.

The business model blends professional services revenue (custom corporate training with multi-year contracts), pay-as-you-go individual workshops and courses (typically €15–€350), and academic partnership revenue (including €20 refundable deposits on free student offerings). Distribution combines enterprise direct sales, self-serve registration via Vbout and Eventbrite, channel partnerships with universities, and event-driven community building through Speaking Gym. Pricing varies materially by program type and customization level.

Name

LifeVersity

Legal name

LifeVersity (Division of ERBS B.V.)

Website

https://lifeversity.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LifeVersity is a Rotterdam-based academic startup delivering evidence-informed, practice-based skill training in public speaking, communication, leadership, creative problem-solving, and generative AI to individuals, corporate teams, and universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Skills Training Services

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Public Speaking & Debate Programs (Live/Recorded) (EDAMAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN)

Keywords

• Soft skills training
• Public speaking courses
• Corporate training services
• Communication skills workshops
• Professional development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Training Programs: Modular courses and custom workshops for organizations, priced based on customization level and group size. Includes consultation, design, delivery, and follow-up.
2. Individual Workshops and Courses: Fee-based workshops (1.5-2 hours) for individuals, with pricing varying by topic and tailoring level. Speaking Gym sessions at €15 for public, free for alumni.
3. Academic Training Programs: University partnerships providing curricular and extracurricular programs. GenAI Essentials offered free to EUR students with €20 refundable deposit.
4. Speaking Gym Sessions: Monthly group practice sessions with €15 fee for general public, fully reimbursed for alumni of LifeVersity courses and coaching.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LifeVersity is an academic startup that designs and delivers evidence-informed skill training programs in public speaking, communication, leadership, creative problem-solving, and generative AI. It serves individual consumers through workshops, courses, and coaching, and serves organizations and universities through modular Company Training programs and Academic Training partnerships. Delivery combines in-person group practice, expert coaching, and VR-enabled immersive simulations.

Product overview

LifeVersity is an academic startup offering evidence-informed, transformative skill-learning experiences. The company operates a portfolio of training programs centered on 21st-century skills including public speaking, communication, leadership, creative problem-solving, and generative AI. The core offerings span Speaking Gym (monthly group practice sessions), Public Speaking Confidence Course (3-week intensive), modular Company Training programs, Academic Training for universities, Individual Coaching, and an extensive catalog of workshops (Public Speaking, Career Development, Communication, Creativity & Innovation). LifeVersity also delivers specific courses including Public Speaking Fundamentals, Advanced Public Speaking, Public Speaking & Media, Leadership courses, Communication courses, GenAI Essentials, Design Thinking & Innovation, and various career-focused programs. The company primarily serves individuals, organizations, and academic institutions in the Netherlands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of participants report improved skills after completing a course
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community for Learning and Innovation (CLI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CLI at Erasmus University Rotterdam supports the GenAI Essentials course, making it free for EUR students. This partnership enables accessibility of AI skill training to students.
• ERBS (EUR Business School Incubator)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024LifeVersity became part of ERBS, Erasmus University's academic incubator, in January 2024. This partnership solidifies their commitment to research-based, accessible, and transformative learning. ERBS provides incubator support including mentorship, resources, and academic credibility.
• Turing Students RotterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization partnership for co-creating the GenAI Essentials course content and promoting the program to students.
• Erasmus University RotterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSix-year partnership at EUR delivering 21st-century skills courses. Hosts the Erasmus Speaking Academy and multiple curricular/extracurricular programs. LifeVersity has become the hub for skill-training courses at EUR with 16+ different courses.
• RSM (Rotterdam School of Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing academic partnership with RSM at EUR for MSc programs including People Organisations and Change, delivering presentation skills training to graduate students.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Mindvalley: Personal growth and lifelong learning platform offering live and recorded programs on communication, mindset, and career skills. Comparable as a direct competitor in the adult personal-development/soft-skills learning space that LifeVersity's individual coaching and workshops target.
• Skillshare: Online learning platform focused on creative, business, and lifestyle skills via short video-based classes. Comparable as an emerging digital alternative to LifeVersity's individual workshops and career/communication courses, especially for self-serve individual learners.
• Maven: Cohort-based learning platform offering live, instructor-led professional and personal development courses. Comparable because LifeVersity's Speaking Gym and small-group workshops follow a similar cohort-based live format in the professional development space.

Broad incumbents

• Udemy Business: Enterprise-focused online learning marketplace with broad professional and soft-skills content. Comparable to LifeVersity's corporate and individual training as a scalable, on-demand alternative for communication, leadership, and GenAI upskilling budgets.
• Coursera (for Business): Large-scale online learning provider with professional development, leadership, and GenAI course offerings for individuals and enterprises. Comparable to LifeVersity's academic and corporate training breadth, though Coursera operates at much larger scale and via self-serve online delivery.
• Cegos: Global corporate training and leadership development provider offering enterprise soft-skill programs. Comparable because LifeVersity competes for similar corporate L&D budgets on communication, leadership, and creative problem-solving, though Cegos operates across many more geographies and categories.
• LinkedIn Learning: Professional development video library integrated with LinkedIn's professional network. Comparable as an alternative channel for individual learners and enterprises seeking communication, leadership, and presentation training at lower marginal cost than LifeVersity's bespoke programs.

Direct peers

• Toastmasters International: Global membership-based public speaking and leadership training organization. Directly comparable because LifeVersity's flagship Speaking Gym and Public Speaking Confidence/Academy offerings target the same core competency — building public speaking confidence through practice-based learning.
• Dale Carnegie Training: Established provider of public speaking, presentation, communication, and leadership training for individuals and enterprises. Comparable as LifeVersity's modular company-training tracks (Public Speaking, Communication, Creative Thinking) overlap directly with Dale Carnegie's enterprise course catalog.

Regional players

• Schouten & Nelissen: Leading Netherlands-based corporate training provider in leadership, communication, and personal effectiveness. Directly comparable as a regional incumbent competing for the same Dutch enterprise training budgets that LifeVersity targets with its company-training and modular course offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtbhsQ9ltGEF0OXpnuMMMhA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifeversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeversitynl
• TikToktiktok.com/@lifeversity

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 LifeVersity