Watershape, Inc.

What Watershape, Inc. does

Watershape, Inc., doing business as Watershape University (WU), is a for-profit education and certification company founded in 2019 that serves licensed professionals in the pool, spa, and watershape industry. The company delivers IACET-accredited continuing education and certification programs across five disciplines — Construction, Design, Engineering, Business, and Service/Repair — through a catalog of more than 180 programs, with over 80 available on-demand. Its curriculum is delivered by an instructor roster drawn from recognized practitioners in the watershape design/build community, and the company is co-founded by Dave Peterson and Bill Drakeley, both formerly of Genesis 3 Design Group.

The company is headquartered at 11722 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite E, San Diego, California, and operates with a lean team of 1-10 employees, consistent with a bootstrapped, capital-efficient operating model. The underlying technology stack is a traditional learning management system platform for course delivery, with Microsoft Excel-based worksheets used for engineering calculations rather than any proprietary algorithmic tooling. There is no evidence of AI or machine learning capabilities embedded in the product.

Watershape's revenue model is built on one-time course enrollment fees priced in the $75-$90 range per course, with IACET-accredited CEUs that transfer across jurisdictions and are recognized for state licensing requirements. Revenue is supplemented by a tiered industry sponsorship program (Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze) featuring manufacturers and trade organizations such as Hayward, Fluidra, the Independent Watershape Institute (IWI), and the American Society of Association Executives (ASA), the latter of which also co-issues the CWSS certification. The customer base is composed entirely of individual practitioners and small contractors — no enterprise customers are evident — and the company has historically been founder-led, with Eric Knight hired as Executive Director in April 2025 before subsequently departing for Pool Brain.

Name

Watershape, Inc.

Legal name

Watershape University

Website

https://watershape.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Watershape, Inc. (DBA Watershape University) is an IACET-accredited education and certification provider serving pool, spa, and watershape professionals across five disciplines, offering 180+ programs via on-demand and live formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Vocational Education and Certification

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Professional pool education
• Watershape certification programs
• Continuing education CEUs
• Pool construction training
• Aquatic design courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Solana Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Enrollment Fees: Revenue generated from paid enrollment in Essential multi-hour/multi-day courses and Premium Wolfpack Webinars that include downloadable tools and templates. Short courses typically do not count toward certification unless otherwise noted.
2. Premium Course Materials: Fees for premium webinars that include specialized downloads such as MS Excel worksheets, PDF manuals, and physical copies of course materials available for additional cost.
3. Certification Exam Fees: Course fees which include key information in PDF and full-color poster formats for certain specialized engineering courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Watershape University is an IACET-accredited higher-education institution that delivers continuing education and certification programs to pool, spa, and watershape professionals. It offers more than 180 programs spanning five disciplines—Construction, Design, Engineering, Business, and Service/Repair—through online on-demand courses, live in-person workshops, and webinars. Course enrollment includes downloadable WatershapeAdvisor engineering and estimating worksheets, and successful completion leads to industry credentials such as Certified Watershape Foreman, Builder, Designer, Professional, and the International Watershape Institute (IWI) designation.

Product overview

Watershape University is an educational institution offering a unified platform combining live in-person courses, online on-demand courses, and webinars for pool and spa professionals. The core offering includes over 180 IACET-accredited programs across five disciplines: Construction, Design, Engineering, Business, and Service/Repair. Key products include foundational courses like CONSTRUCTION 2111 (Essential Pool Construction), ENGINEERING 2311 (Essential Fluid Engineering), BUSINESS 3451 (Essential Cost Estimating), and SERVICE 2211 (Essential Water Chemistry). The certification pathway culminates in the International Watershape Institute (IWI) designation, with intermediate credentials including Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF), Builder (CWB), Designer (CWD), and Professional (CWP). Supplementary offerings include Wolfpack Webinars and WU Presents live-streamed sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Watershape University (Online On-Demand Course Catalog) An IACET-accredited higher-education institution offering 80+ online on-demand courses across construction, design, engineering, business, and service/repair for pool and spa professionals seeking self-paced certification.
• Live In-Person Courses Hands-on foundational courses and workshops delivered at live events in San Diego, Greensboro, Katy TX, Phoenix, Provo UT, and other US locations for pool and spa professionals.
• CONSTRUCTION 2111: Essential Pool Construction 24-hour, 22-module foundational course on swimming pool construction covering layout, forming, utilities, shotcrete, waterproofing, and finishing; prerequisites for advanced certifications.
• ENGINEERING 2311: Essential Fluid Engineering Workshop 16-hour workshop on hydraulic principles and applied science for designing efficient, durable pool circulation systems, with downloadable WatershapeAdvisor engineering worksheets.
• BUSINESS 3451: Essential Cost Estimating Workshop 8-hour workshop teaching accurate, professional cost estimates using the proprietary Watershape Advisor Estimator software for pool construction projects.
• SERVICE 2211: Essential Water Chemistry 8-hour course covering water quality and water balance, teaching service professionals to maintain pools that are safe, clean, and clear.
• Certified Watershape Foreman (CWF) Certification Entry-level certification demonstrating skills to build basic pools, spas, and water features to global standards; prerequisite for most advanced certifications and satisfies licensing requirements in multiple jurisdictions.
• International Watershape Institute (IWI) Certification Pathway The industry's highest and most revered certification representing elite watershaping professionals, pursued through the WU design-build pathway and offering access to a network of subject-matter experts.
• WatershapeAdvisor Software Worksheets Downloadable MS Excel worksheets for pipe sizing, electrical load calculations, filtration system design, and cost analysis specific to watershape engineering and estimating.
• WU Presents Free Weekly Webinars Free weekly live-streamed presentations given by industry professionals every Wednesday, with archived on-demand viewing available as a top-of-funnel educational offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of industry professionals have completed the foundational CONSTRUCTION 2111 course
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and minor.

• Advanced Pebble SolutionscoreOthersDiamond-level sponsor of Watershape University. Provides expertise in pebble pool finishes and surface solutions for the watershaping industry.
• CL IndustriescoreOthersDiamond-level sponsor offering pool finish solutions and products for the industry.
• HaywardcoreTechnology or IntegrationDiamond-level sponsor and major equipment manufacturer in the pool industry. Featured in courses and presentations about pool equipment and systems.
• Marmiro StonescoreOthersDiamond-level sponsor specializing in natural stone products for pool decks and hardscapes. Sponsors DESIGN 2611 course.
• MicroGlasscoreOthersDiamond-level sponsor providing glass tile and finish solutions. Instructors present at WU events on plaster and finish topics.
• FluidramajorTechnology or IntegrationGold-level sponsor and major pool equipment manufacturer. Offers commercial segment solutions and presents at WU events.
• HASAmajorOthersGold-level sponsor providing water treatment and chemical solutions for pools.
• OrendamajorOthersGold-level sponsor specializing in water chemistry technology and automation solutions for pools.
• AquastarsupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor offering pool equipment and products.
• MiracotesupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor providing waterproofing and surface preparation products.
• Mizu Pool CoverssupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor offering automatic pool cover solutions.
• Pebble Technology InternationalsupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor specializing in pebble pool finishes.
• Poolside by CGTsupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor providing reinforced PVC membrane solutions for pools.
• RenolitsupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor offering pool membrane and finish products.
• Premix MarbletitesupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor providing pool plaster and finish products.
• RiverflowsupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor specializing in current systems and riverflow pumps for pools.
• TwinscapesupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor offering movable pool floor technology.
• Wet Edge TechnologiessupportingOthersSilver-level sponsor providing pool finish and surface solutions.
• AquaDeiminorOthersBronze-level sponsor in the pool industry.
• Fire by DesignminorOthersBronze-level sponsor specializing in fire features for outdoor living spaces.
• Hammerhead AquaticsminorOthersBronze-level sponsor offering pool equipment solutions.
• LamotteminorOthersBronze-level sponsor providing water testing and chemistry solutions.
• RaypakminorOthersBronze-level sponsor specializing in pool heating equipment.
• International Watershape Institute (IWI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe highest and most revered certification in the watershaping industry. WU students can pursue IWI certification through the design-build pathway. IWI represents the elite of the industry with a dynamic fellowship of artisan watershapers devoted to elevating the entire industry.
• American Shotcrete AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Certified Watershape Shotcrete Specialist (CWSS) certification. WU's CWSS program is offered in partnership with ASA, with courses like C2241 Quality Pool Shotcrete available through both organizations.
• Pentair Pool UniversitysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHosting partner for BUSINESS 2121: Essential Pool Inspections course in Phoenix, AZ.
• Pro Pool InspectorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerIn partnership with Watershape University for the Essential Pool Inspections course, providing expertise in pool inspection training.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Pool Brain: Tech-forward pool service management platform that recently hired WU's former Executive Director to build embedded education, automated dosing, and point-of-need training — an emerging software-native competitor to WU's education layer.

Broad incumbents

• Fluidra: Global pool equipment manufacturer and WU Gold sponsor that runs its own training programs and presents at WU events; competes broadly for the training dollars of pool builders and service professionals.
• Hayward: Major pool equipment manufacturer and WU Diamond sponsor with manufacturer-led installer and service training; competes with WU for the same pool contractor audience via equipment-specific curricula.
• Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA): The largest US pool and spa industry association offering widely recognized certifications (e.g., CPO, CBP) and continuing education; competes with WU for the same pool professional audience at broader scale.

Direct peers

• Genesis 3 Design Group: The predecessor organization where WU's co-founders Peterson and Drakeley built the industry's first higher-education curriculum (GENESIS University); remains a directly competing watershape education provider.
• American Shotcrete Association: Offers shotcrete-specific training and ASA-branded certifications (including the CWSS program delivered in partnership with WU); directly comparable as a niche trade educator serving pool/structural concrete professionals.
• National Plasterers & Council (NPC): Industry council offering plaster and pool finish certifications and technical education; directly comparable as a niche trade educator serving the same pool construction workforce WU trains.
• International Watershape Institute (IWI): The watershape industry's highest-certification body, whose designation WU students pursue; directly comparable as a prestige credential in watershape education and a strategic partner/competitor at the top of the stack.
• Pentair Pool University: Equipment-manufacturer-branded pool professional training program hosted at Pentair facilities; offers in-person and online courses overlapping WU's construction, service, and engineering curriculum.

Others

• Orenda Technologies: Pool water chemistry technology company and WU Gold sponsor that produces its own operator-facing training content; comparable as an adjacent educator in the water chemistry segment overlapping WU's Service curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WatershapeUniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/watershapeorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/watershape-university

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Watershape, Inc.