What Next Level University does

Next Level University is a Worcester, Massachusetts-based personal development media and coaching company founded in 2017 by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros. The company operates a three-podcast network (Next Level University, Business Growth University, Podcast Growth University) producing 7 episodes per week, with a cumulative library of 2,400+ episodes reaching 1M+ listens across 175+ countries and a Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcast ranking. Core technology infrastructure centers on podcast production and distribution (audio/video editing, platform syndication across Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcasts), digital course delivery platforms (hosting the free 'Next Level 5 To Thrive' course), and community tooling (private Facebook group, Zoom-based book club and meetups). There is no AI/ML capability disclosed in the source materials.

The company monetizes through a tiered service portfolio: (1) Next Level Business Solutions, a subscription-based one-on-one business consulting offering with three pricing tiers (Monthly, Bi-Weekly, Weekly cadence), delivered primarily by Alan Lazaros; (2) Next Level Podcast Solutions, a professional services line providing full-service podcast production, editing, platform distribution, and launch support, which has produced 3,000+ episodes and launched 100+ client podcasts; (3) Next Level Podcast Accelerator, a 3-month cohort-based group coaching program priced at $414, limited to 10 participants per cohort; (4) Next Level Speeches and Next Level Trainings, offering corporate keynotes and team development programs delivered in-person or virtually; and (5) complementary free community layers (Next Level Nation Facebook group, weekly Book Club, Monthly Meetups) that function as top-of-funnel engagement and retention assets. Alan Lazaros has stated the business is approaching $1 million in annual revenue with a 17-21 person global team, and claims to have contributed to generating over $15M in client revenue through consulting.

Customer segments are diverse and primarily long-tail: personal development seekers consuming free podcast content, SMB entrepreneurs purchasing tiered consulting, individual podcasters buying production services or cohort coaching, and occasional corporate/organizational buyers of training and speaking engagements. The business is bootstrapped and founder-owned with no disclosed external investment, and operates a related non-profit, the Next Level Hope Foundation, supporting children of single parents.

Name

Next Level University

Legal name

Next Level University

Website

https://nextleveluniverse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Next Level University is a Worcester, MA-based personal development media company founded in 2017 that operates a three-podcast network (Next Level University, Business Growth University, Podcast Growth University) reaching 1M+ listens across 175+ countries and monetizes through tiered business consulting, cohort group coaching, podcast production services, and corporate trainings and keynotes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

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. Group Coaching Programs: Next Level Podcast Accelerator - a 3-month group coaching program for podcasters. Limited to 10 participants per cohort, includes bi-weekly coaching sessions, connection sessions, WhatsApp community support, and two high-level coaches.
2. Podcast Solutions Services: Full-service podcast production and launch services including audio/video editing, publishing to all platforms, social media teaser clips, show notes, YouTube optimization, and consultation. Serves both new podcasters launching shows and existing podcasters seeking to improve.
3. Next Level Business Solutions: One-on-one business consulting and coaching for entrepreneurs. Three tiers: Monthly (1 call/month), Bi-Weekly (2 calls/month), and Weekly (4 calls/month). Includes WhatsApp messaging, customized business models, leadership training, and mastermind community access.
4. Corporate Trainings: In-person and virtual training programs for teams and organizations. Topics include Self Worth/Self Belief/Fulfillment, Productivity and Effectiveness, and Team Development. Alan, Kevin, and Christina deliver training content.
5. Speaking Engagements: Keynote speeches delivered at companies, schools, and organizations. Available in-person or virtually. Topics include 'What It Really Takes To Get To The Next Level,' 'How To Build Your Self-Belief & Self-Worth,' and 'Designing Your Most Fulfilling Life Possible.'

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Next Level University is a personal development media company built around podcast content creation and distribution. The company produces three weekly podcasts (Next Level University, Business Growth University, Podcast Growth University) and monetizes through paid services including a 3-month group coaching program (Next Level Podcast Accelerator), tiered one-on-one business consulting, full-service podcast production (Next Level Podcast Solutions), corporate trainings, and keynote speeches. They also run free community programs (Book Club, Monthly Meetups, Next Level Nation Facebook group) and a free entry-level course ("Next Level 5 To Thrive").

Product overview

Next Level University operates as a multi-podcast network with a comprehensive suite of personal development services. The core offering is the Next Level University Podcast (Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcast), complemented by two specialty podcasts: Business Growth University and Podcast Growth University. The company provides fee-based services including Next Level Podcast Solutions (full-service podcast production and launch), Next Level Business Solutions/Business Consulting (coaching focused on leadership, culture, and systems), and Group Coaching (Next Level Podcast Accelerator - a 3-month cohort program). Additional offerings include Next Level Speeches and Trainings for corporate/events audiences, plus community programs such as the Next Level Book Club, Monthly Meetups, and Next Level Nation Facebook group. A free course called 'Next Level 5 To Thrive' teaches the 5 C's framework. The Next Level Hope Foundation is their charitable arm hosting annual events for children of single parents. The company monetizes through service fees for coaching, consulting, podcast production, and group programs while maintaining free podcast and community content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Next Level Podcast Solutions: Podcast production and consulting services helping podcasters launch, produce, and monetize their podcasts
• Next Level Business Solutions
• Business Growth University
• Podcast Growth University
• Next Level Speeches
• Next Level Trainings
• Next Level Hope Foundation
• Next Level Podcast Accelerator
• Next Level 5 To Thrive

Products and services

• Next Level University Podcast Global Top 100 Self-Improvement Podcast hosted by Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros, delivering 7 episodes per week covering holistic self-improvement across life, love, health, and wealth. Free, self-serve consumption across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Google Podcasts.
• Business Growth University Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by Alan Lazaros providing practical strategies to help business owners grow revenue, sharpen skills, and reach their full potential.
• Podcast Growth University Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by Kevin Palmieri helping podcasters grow, scale, and monetize their shows.
• Next Level Podcast Solutions Full-service podcast production and launch service offering audio/video editing, platform distribution, social media asset creation, show notes, YouTube optimization, and consulting. Serves both new podcasters launching shows and existing podcasters seeking to improve. Custom/quote-based pricing.
• Next Level Business Solutions One-on-one business consulting service led by Alan Lazaros focusing on leadership, culture, and systems to help entrepreneurs and business owners grow and scale their businesses online. Three subscription tiers: Monthly (1 call/month), Bi-Weekly (2 calls/month), and Weekly (4 calls/month). Includes WhatsApp messaging, customized business models, leadership training, and mastermind community access.
• Business Consulting Business coaching service for passionate people wanting to help others sustainably and profitably, offered at multiple intensity levels with daily WhatsApp support and Zoom coaching calls. Free initial consultation call.
• Group Coaching – Next Level Podcast Accelerator 3-month group coaching program for podcasters with bi-weekly coaching sessions, WhatsApp community support, and two high-level coaches. Limited to 10 participants per cohort. Priced at $414 for the 3-month program (less than $25 per session with NLULISTENER promo code).
• Next Level Trainings In-person and virtual training programs covering Self Worth/Self Belief/Fulfillment, Productivity and Effectiveness, and Team Development. Delivered by Alan, Kevin, and Christina. Sold directly to companies, schools, and organizations.
• Next Level Speeches Keynote speaking engagements for companies, schools, and organizations, available in-person or virtually. Topics include "What It Really Takes To Get To The Next Level," "How To Build Your Self-Belief & Self-Worth," and "Designing Your Most Fulfilling Life Possible."
• Next Level 5 To Thrive (Free Course) Free digital course teaching the 5 C's framework: Clarity, Commitment, Confidence, Consistency, and Community for personal development and achieving the next level in life. Used as a lead magnet and community entry point.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1M+ listens and 2,400+ episodes produced
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Feature2 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The School of Greatness (Lewis Howes): Podcast-led personal development and entrepreneurship brand offering courses, coaching, and community. Uses a founder-hosted podcast funnel into paid programs in the same way as NLU.
• Ed Mylett: Founder-driven personal development brand built around podcasting, books, keynote speaking, and high-ticket events. Closely aligned with NLU's founder-led content and live engagement model.
• Marie Forleo (MarieTV / B-School): Creator-led coaching, training program, and podcast brand targeting entrepreneurs and personal growth seekers. Mirrors NLU's content-to-coaching monetization pattern.
• Impact Theory (Tom Bilyeu): Creator-led personal development and entrepreneurship brand combining podcasts, YouTube content, courses, and a supplement line. Closely mirrors NLU's founder-led podcast-to-coaching content flywheel and audience monetization strategy.
• High Performance (Brendon Burchard): Personal development creator brand offering coaching, certifications, books, courses, and live events. Operates a comparable founder-led content and high-ticket coaching model.
• The Miracle Morning (Hal Elrod): Personal development brand monetizing a flagship methodology (Morning Miracle) through books, podcast, community, and live events. Similar creator-driven content IP and audience engagement model.
• Amy Porterfield (Online Marketing Made Easy): Podcast-led online education brand for entrepreneurs selling courses, masterclasses, and coaching programs. Demonstrates the same audio-content-to-paid-program conversion strategy as NLU.
• On Purpose (Jay Shetty): Founder-led podcast and education brand monetizing through books, masterclasses, and live events. Comparable creator-driven personal development brand with global audience and content-led monetization.

Broad incumbents

• Tony Robbins Companies: Major personal development brand offering seminars, coaching, books, and partnerships. A scaled incumbent in the same category NLU operates in.
• Mindvalley: Large-scale online personal development platform offering courses, masterminds, and live events led by multiple instructors. Operates at higher scale in the same creator-driven personal development category as NLU.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBo--QvPHbGOrO13C0Xyybg
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100090634475273
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-level-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Next Level University