42 Perpignan

What 42 Perpignan does

42 Perpignan Occitanie is a non-profit coding school established in 2023 in Perpignan, France, operating as a regional affiliate of the global 42 Network (50+ campuses across 30 countries, 25,000+ students worldwide). The school delivers a tuition-free, project-based, peer-to-peer computer science curriculum with no teachers, no lectures, and no prerequisites, accessible 24/7 on a single campus. Students progress through a 4-week intensive La Piscine selection test, a 12–18 month Tronc Commun (common core), and a Specialization/Mastery path covering 19+ domains including AI, cybersecurity, web, mobile, and DevOps, leading to state-recognized RNCP Level 6 (BAC+3) and Level 7 (BAC+5) certifications with optional 1–3 year alternance contracts.

The core technology is a proprietary peer-to-peer learning platform with gamified progression (levels 0–21), an algorithmic candidate selection system using online logic/memory games and Piscine scoring, and a dedicated admissions portal (admissions.42perpignan.fr), supported by LDAP authentication and Keycloak for staff. The business model combines zero-cost core education, funded through the French Taxe d'Apprentissage (€3,500 per full student cursus), annual partner memberships from €1,000/year (60% tax deductible for companies), and donations, with a complementary fee-based Professional Training (Formations Pro) division offering Qualiopi-certified courses (€1,490–€1,690) in AI, ML, web security, and Python. The customer base spans individual learners (66% without prior coding experience, 25% in career transition), regional employers (60+ partners including Veolia, Crédit Agricole, Enedis, Keolis, Lazard, Fortil), and corporate teams seeking upskilling, with outcomes of 100% post-Tronc Commun employment and a €40,000 average starting salary.

Name

42 Perpignan

Legal name

42 Perpignan Occitanie – Association à but non lucratif régie par la loi du 1er juillet 1901

Website

https://42perpignan.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

42 Perpignan Occitanie is a non-profit coding school in Perpignan, France, offering tuition-free, peer-to-peer, project-based computer science education with state-recognized RNCP certifications, serving individuals, career changers, corporate partners, and regional employers in Occitanie.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Perpignan

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition-free core program: The core coding curriculum (Tronc Commun and Mastery/Specialization) is entirely free for students. Funded through membership dues, donations, and tax d'apprentissage (apprenticeship tax contributions) from partner companies.
2. Professional training courses (Formations Pro): Fee-based professional development programs including AI Automation with n8n (1490€), Machine Learning (1690€), Web Application Security, and Web Programming Essentials. Delivered on campus with Qualiopi certification.
3. Association memberships and donations: Annual membership fees starting at 1000€ per year for partners, with 60% tax deduction for companies and 66% for individuals. Donations also accepted through Hello Asso platform.
4. Taxe d'apprentissage: Companies direct a portion of their mandatory apprenticeship tax to 42 Perpignan. One SIRET: 91104338800022. 3500€ finances one student's full cursus.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

42 Perpignan is a not-for-profit coding school delivering free, project-based computer programming education through the 42 Network's peer-to-peer methodology. Its core offering is the Tronc Commun (18–24 months) ending in the RNCP Level 6 (BAC+3) certification, followed by a Specialization/Mastery Path that leads to the RNCP Level 7 (BAC+5) Expert en Architecture Informatique certification. The school also sells paid Formations Pro (Piscine Discovery and Piscine Pro) to businesses for upskilling and recruitment.

Product overview

42 Perpignan Occitanie offers a portfolio of educational products centered on its innovative tuition-free computer programming school within the global 42 network. The core offering is the Cursus: a project-based, peer-learning pedagogy with no teachers or lectures, delivered through three phases — La Piscine (a 4-week selection bootcamp), the Tronc Commun (common core, 12–18 months), and a Specialization/Mastery path (19+ domains including AI and cybersecurity). The program leads to state-recognized RNCP Level 6 (BAC+3) and Level 7 (BAC+5) certifications, with optional alternance (work-study) contracts. Alongside the student program, 42 Perpignan provides a Professional Training division offering short corporate courses under the Piscine Discovery and Piscine Pro banners, including a dedicated AI Automation with n8n course. An online Admissions Portal serves as the candidate-facing entry point for registration and screening.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Cursus (Tronc Commun) Free, project-based, peer-to-peer computer programming curriculum of approximately 18 to 24 months that takes admitted students from beginner level to a portfolio of projects and prepares them for the RNCP Level 6 (BAC+3) certification. Delivered with no teachers, no classes, and no tuition at the Perpignan campus.
• La Piscine (Selection Pool) Four-week, in-person selection test that evaluates candidates on logic, problem-solving, and peer collaboration through intensive project work, with no prior coding experience required. Successful candidates are admitted to the Core Cursus.
• RNCP Level 6 Certification (BAC+3) French state-recognized professional certification (RNCP Level 6, equivalent to BAC+3) awarded to students who successfully complete the Core Cursus (Tronc Commun).
• RNCP Level 7 Certification — Expert en Architecture Informatique (BAC+5) French state-recognized RNCP Level 7 certification (BAC+5 equivalent) for the title of Expert en Architecture Informatique, completed after the Specialization/Mastery Path following the Core Cursus.
• Specialization / Mastery Path Advanced track after the Tronc Commun, allowing students to specialize in Software, DevOps, Cybersecurity, AI, Web, Mobile, Graphics, or Game development, leading to the RNCP Level 7 certification.
• Formations Pro — Piscine Discovery Fee-based professional training for corporate trainees with no prior coding experience, based on a shortened version of the Piscine methodology, designed for companies seeking to recruit or initiate employee upskilling.
• Formations Pro — Piscine Pro Fee-based professional training for corporate trainees at all levels, using the 42 peer-to-peer methodology to upskill developer teams in modern software engineering practices.
• Formation AI Automation with n8n Short professional training course teaching AI automation workflows using the n8n platform, targeted at corporate teams and individuals seeking practical AI integration skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% employment rate after Tronc Commun completion
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Région OccitanieOthersRegional government providing financial and institutional support to 42 Perpignan Occitanie as part of regional digital education initiatives.
• Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole (PMM)OthersMetropolitan authority providing support and backing for the campus operations in Perpignan.
• Mairie de PerpignanOthersCity of Perpignan providing municipal support and endorsement for the coding school.
• VeoliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting the training program through the taxe d'apprentissage mechanism, providing access to potential talent pipeline.
• Crédit Agricole Sud MéditerranéeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bank partner supporting the training program and potentially recruiting alternants from the student pool.
• KeolisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation company partner engaged with 42 Perpignan through the partner network.
• EnedisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectricity distribution network operator partner supporting the training program.
• CCI PO (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie des Pyrénées-Orientales)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partner providing institutional backing and potential employer connections.
• CPME66 (Confédération des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME employers association partner connecting small businesses with trained graduates.
• FortilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and technical services firm engaged as a campus partner.
• KorbenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital services company partner in the 42 Perpignan network.
• EleomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the 42 Perpignan ecosystem.
• BPSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company supporting 42 Perpignan through membership and talent pipeline access.
• AxuritminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the 42 Perpignan network.
• OccilumsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the 42 Perpignan ecosystem.
• Groupe GonzalezminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily business group partner engaged with the campus.
• La PyréneenneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance company partner.
• CenterviewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the 42 Perpignan network.
• LazardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial advisory firm engaged as partner.
• Largo GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness group partner.
• WKSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the ecosystem.
• TecaoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in the network.
• Sandra ViciniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoach and trainer specializing in professional and personal development, providing soft skills training support to students.
• Le Plaza (Canet-en-Roussillon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeachfront brasserie and events venue in Canet-en-Roussillon, partner in the local business ecosystem.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Le Wagon: Leading French-founded coding bootcamp offering 9–24 week full-stack and data programs; competes for the same career-changer and tech-reskilling audience, but via a paid, instructor-led model.
• EPITECH: French IT school offering BAC+5 computer science programs with strong industry integration; competes with 42's RNCP Level 7 (BAC+5) pathway for the same employer-hiring audience in France.
• Wild Code School: French coding bootcamp operating across multiple French campuses with project-based pedagogy; directly comparable in curriculum scope, French geography, and career-changer target segment.
• Simplon: French non-profit network offering free, intensive digital training to underrepresented populations; shares 42 Perpignan's freemium, mission-driven, employer-funded model and French geography.
• Ironhack: Global coding bootcamp with European campuses; competes in web development and data bootcamps for the same career-transitioning learner persona.
• OpenClassrooms: France-based online education platform offering mentor-led programs leading to RNCP-recognized certifications; competes for the same career-changer and French employer-funded learner pool, but via remote delivery.
• 42 Paris (Association 42): Parent organization and flagship campus of the 42 Network; operates the identical peer-to-peer, tuition-free coding pedagogy that 42 Perpignan replicates as an Occitanie affiliate.
• Holberton School: International project-based, peer-driven software engineering school founded on the same tuition-deferred/free pedagogy as 42; a global analog of 42 Perpignan's methodology.
• The Hacking Project: Free French peer-driven coding bootcamp with similar mission to expand access to tech education; closest freemium, community-led competitor in the French market.

Broad incumbents

• General Assembly: Established global provider of bootcamps and corporate training in coding, data, and design; competes for the same Formations Pro (corporate upskilling) budget and tech-talent-pipeline demand, but with a much broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/42Perpignan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJ1TIMnt1kMsFWY0cFGFDGQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/42perpignan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/42perpignan
• Instagraminstagram.com/42perpignan/?hl=fr
• TikToktiktok.com/@42perpignan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 42 Perpignan