The Gaard Group
The GAARD Group is a New York-based private corporate leadership training firm that sells its proprietary GAARD Method through seat-based enterprise subscriptions, self-serve online courses, executive coaching, and customized in-person programs to Fortune 500 companies and individual professionals globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Gaard Group does
The GAARD Group is a New York-headquartered, privately held corporate leadership training and executive coaching firm founded in 2002 by CEO Bridgitt Haarsgaard. The company's core technology is the proprietary GAARD Method—a five-step framework (GAIN, APPLY, ALIGN, ROUNDTABLE, DEBRIEF) that integrates behavioral science with corporate leadership training, delivered through 2-7 minute micro-learning video modules, digital fillable PDF workbooks, and facilitated roundtable sessions. Its content library comprises 100+ micro-lessons organized into named suites covering communication, presentation, leadership, management transition, and foundational professional skills. A team of approximately 10-12 hand-picked experts (executive coaches, corporate trainers, and facilitators) delivers the methodology across online, in-person, and hybrid formats, with named engagements at Fortune 500 companies including Cisco, Meta, Goldman Sachs, American Express, HBO, Sony, New York Life, Columbia University, and Red Hat, reaching more than 50,000 participants across 30+ countries.
The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining recurring subscription revenue (seat-based corporate access to the online learning platform, individual subscription plans), professional services revenue (executive coaching engagements ranging from acute hourly sessions to 12-month programs plus team coaching, customized corporate programs, and in-person facilitation including half-day to full-week offsites and 2-4 day strategy sessions), and one-time individual course purchases with one-year access. Go-to-market is multi-channel: enterprise field sales targeting Fortune 500 organizations with customizable, white-label-capable, LMS-integratable programming; a self-serve product-led growth channel via learning.gaardgroup.com; and sales-led executive coaching delivered via phone, video, or in-person. Marketing is diversified across content, email, paid social, SEO, webinars/roundtables, and partner referrals. The company maintains a small, capital-light operating structure with no disclosed external funding rounds.
The Gaard Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Gaard Group
- Legal name
- GAARD Group
- Website
- https://gaardgroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The GAARD Group is a New York-based private corporate leadership training firm that sells its proprietary GAARD Method through seat-based enterprise subscriptions, self-serve online courses, executive coaching, and customized in-person programs to Fortune 500 companies and individual professionals globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Gaard Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate Leadership Training
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams) (EDABANAF), Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Leadership Assessment, 360 Feedback & Development Planning (EDABAAAK)
Keywords
Where The Gaard Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Gaard Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Corporate Seat-Based Subscriptions: Scalable corporate training programs with seat-based online subscription service providing 24/7 access to library of leadership training videos. Pricing based on number of seats with options for customization and facilitation.
- Individual Course Purchases: Individual course purchases accessible for one year from date of purchase. Subscription plans offering access to all GAARD courses with 24/7 availability across all devices.
- Executive Coaching: One-on-one coaching services via phone, video platform, or in-person with engagement options ranging from acute hourly sessions to 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month programs, plus team coaching.
- Customized Corporate Programs: Customized training programs for corporations including video content, written content, live training sessions, seminars, and white-labeled content. Strategy sessions running 2-4 days.
- In-Person Facilitation: Expert facilitators providing on-site training events ranging from half-day sessions to full-week offsites, using the GAARD Method to plan and orchestrate interactive learning events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Seat-based corporate subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | Individual subscription plans |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Executive coaching engagements |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual course purchases |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Gaard Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The GAARD Group is a corporate leadership training company founded in 2002 by Bridgitt Haarsgaard that delivers psychology-based leadership development through its proprietary GAARD Method—a five-step methodology (GAIN, APPLY, ALIGN, ROUNDTABLE, DEBRIEF) packaged into short micro-learning video modules (2-7 minutes each) and reinforced with live expert facilitation for both enterprise clients and individual professionals.
Product overview
The Gaard Group offers a unified corporate leadership training platform centered on its proprietary GAARD Method—a five-step psychological approach to behavioral change. The core offering consists of online leadership training courses (accessed via learning.gaardgroup.com) delivered through 2-7 minute micro-lessons. Services span two main channels: Corporate Solutions (scalable, customizable programs with seat-based pricing) and Individual Plans (subscription-based access). Add-on services include Executive Coaching (acute, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month engagements plus team coaching) and supplementary Training Features & Services (in-person facilitation, strategy sessions, white-label content). GAARD Courses cover professional development topics organized into suites for foundational skills, communication, management, and leadership. The entire ecosystem is tied together through the GAARD Method framework, which powers all products and ensures consistent methodology across offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The GAARD Method: A five-step methodology developed by CEO and Founder Bridgitt Haarsgaard that aligns corporate leadership training with psychological best practices to deliver practical, actionable lessons that result in real and lasting change.
Products and services
- Corporate Leadership Training
- Individual Leadership Training Plans
- Executive Coaching
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 50,000 team members trained in over 30 countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Gaard Group
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Gaard Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
The Gaard Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- John Maxwell Leadership TeamminorEdwin Williams, Lead Expert & Partner of The GAARD Group, is a proud member of the distinguished John Maxwell Leadership Team, living by the belief 'Everything rises and falls based on leadership.' This affiliation provides access to Maxwell's leadership frameworks and methodologies.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Gaard Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dale Carnegie Training: Global corporate training provider focused on leadership, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; directly competes with GAARD's course suite on communication, presentation, and leadership training delivered to enterprises.
- EZRA (LHH): Enterprise coaching provider offering on-demand coaching and development programs backed by LHH; directly comparable to GAARD's executive and team coaching engagements for Fortune 500 clients.
- FranklinCovey: Long-established corporate training firm (The 7 Habits, leadership frameworks) selling enterprise leadership development programs; similar methodology-based, Fortune 500-focused model with facilitated training and content licensing.
- The Ken Blanchard Companies: Corporate training company built around a proprietary leadership methodology (Situational Leadership), offering courses, coaching, and certification; highly comparable to GAARD's methodology-anchored enterprise training model.
- BetterUp: Enterprise coaching and leadership development platform combining 1:1 coaching with on-demand content; competes with GAARD in the Fortune 500 executive and manager development segment using a hybrid technology-plus-coach model.
- Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Research-driven leadership development organization offering executive education, assessments, and coaching; comparable to GAARD's executive coaching and leadership training engagements for Fortune 500 buyers.
- Development Dimensions International (DDI): Enterprise leadership and talent development firm offering assessment, training, and coaching programs; directly overlaps GAARD's corporate leadership training and executive development positioning.
- CoachHub: Global digital coaching platform serving enterprises with certified coaches across leadership, performance, and team development; overlaps directly with GAARD's executive coaching and corporate leadership training offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Skillsoft: Large-scale corporate learning platform offering enterprise content, leadership development, and coaching; overlaps with GAARD's online learning and corporate subscription offerings at a much broader scale.
- LinkedIn Learning: Subscription-based corporate learning library embedded in LinkedIn's ecosystem; competes with GAARD's individual subscription and micro-learning video courses on communication and leadership skills at scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Gaard Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Gaard Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Gaard Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Gaard Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Gaard Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Gaard Group
What does The Gaard Group do?
The GAARD Group is a corporate leadership training company founded in 2002 by Bridgitt Haarsgaard that delivers psychology-based leadership development through its proprietary GAARD Method—a five-step methodology (GAIN, APPLY, ALIGN, ROUNDTABLE, DEBRIEF) packaged into short micro-learning video modules (2-7 minutes each) and reinforced with live expert facilitation for both enterprise clients and individual professionals.
Is The Gaard Group a public or private company?
The Gaard Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Gaard Group founded?
The Gaard Group was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Gaard Group based?
The Gaard Group is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Gaard Group make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Corporate Seat-Based Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are individual Course Purchases, executive Coaching, customized Corporate Programs and in-Person Facilitation.
Who are The Gaard Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dale Carnegie Training, EZRA (LHH), FranklinCovey, The Ken Blanchard Companies, BetterUp, Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Development Dimensions International (DDI) and CoachHub. Broad incumbents are Skillsoft and LinkedIn Learning.
Does The Gaard Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Gaard Group.
What industry is The Gaard Group in?
The Gaard Group's product category is Corporate Leadership Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAA, Corporate & Leadership Development, with a secondary code of EDABANAF, Team & Group Executive Coaching (Leadership Teams). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.