GLOBAL FORMATION INC.

What GLOBAL FORMATION INC. does

Global Formation Inc. is a privately held Quebec-based SaaS company that develops and operates PAÉLO, a cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) / Platform-as-a-Service targeted at the industrial, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Saint-Séverin de Proulxville (with an office in Shawinigan), the company sells enterprise subscriptions bundled with custom training content development. PAÉLO is built on AWS-hosted infrastructure and combines training management, competency assessment, interactive digital apprentice booklets (carnet de compagnonnage interactif), OHS non-compliance management, custom form/report builders, surveys, SCORM-compliant content delivery, and offline-capable multi-device access (desktop, iOS, Android). The platform is differentiated by Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality integration and proprietary 3D imaging/virtual site tours designed for remote equipment training in mining environments.

The company serves enterprise clients in mining (gold, niobium, lithium, nickel, iron ore), manufacturing, and industrial sectors, with a named customer base including Agnico Eagle, Eldorado Gold, Endeavour Mining, Hecla Québec, Niobec, Arcadium Lithium, Hydro-Québec, and Minière O3. PAÉLO reports 12,000+ users across 15-20+ companies. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise sales with quote-based multi-year contracts, supplemented by a self-service PLG motion (Calendly demo booking), industry conference presence (Québec Mines + Énergie), and an industry association partnership with APSM. Revenue streams are enterprise SaaS subscriptions and professional services for customized content; the company also sells public online courses via the Udemy marketplace (WHMIS 2015 in French), representing an early direct-to-consumer channel.

In 2024 the company accelerated customer acquisition (multiple new mining partnerships), entered its first international market (Morocco via Aya Gold Silver), and earned a Top 5 Best Training Software in Canada ranking from Capterra. The company remains privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors, indicating organic growth to date. No revenue figures have been publicly disclosed.

Name

GLOBAL FORMATION INC.

Legal name

Global Formation Inc.

Website

https://global-formation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Formation Inc. is a Quebec-based SaaS company that operates PAÉLO, a cloud LMS for industrial, manufacturing, and mining enterprises, serving 12,000+ users across clients including Agnico Eagle, Eldorado Gold, and Hydro-Québec with OHS compliance and mixed reality training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Training & Compliance Software

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Core LMS Platforms (Academic & Corporate) (EDAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Learning Management (LMS) & Talent Development (BPACAPAG), Learning Technology & LMS/LXP Implementation (BPACANAH)

Keywords

• Industrial training software
• Mining e-learning
• OHS compliance training
• Apprenticeship tracking platform
• Manufacturing LMS

Headquarters

HQ city

Shawinigan

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. PAÉLO SaaS LMS Subscriptions: The primary revenue stream comes from the PAÉLO platform subscription, sold to companies in the mining, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. The platform is offered with a per-company or per-seat model, with customizable web installations responding to each client's training needs. Pricing is quote-based / not publicly disclosed.
2. Custom Training Content Development: Global Formation develops customized training materials and content tailored to each company's specific work environment, including 3D imaging and specialized e-learning modules. This is bundled with the LMS offering and may be sold as a professional service.
3. Public Online Course Sales (Udemy): Global Formation now offers online training directly to the general public via the Udemy marketplace. Their first course is WHMIS 2015 (French version), with English and additional courses planned. Revenue from individual course purchases on Udemy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Global Formation develops and operates PAÉLO, a cloud-based SaaS Learning Management System (LMS) for the industrial, manufacturing and mining sectors. The platform centralizes training management, competency assessment, OHS compliance tracking, interactive apprenticeship booklets, custom report/form creation and survey tools, with integrations including Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality and 3D imaging. The company also provides related services such as customized training content development, workplace coaching, and public safety courses (e.g., WHMIS 2015) distributed via Udemy.

Product overview

GLOBAL FORMATION INC. operates as a training solutions provider with its primary product being the PAÉLO platform—a cloud-based LMS/PaaS for the industrial, manufacturing and mining sectors. PAÉLO, launched in 2017, serves as the central platform offering training management, competency assessment, and compliance tracking, supplemented by modules including the interactive apprenticeship booklet (carnet de compagnonnage), 3D imaging/virtual reality training via Microsoft HoloLens, integrated form builder, interactive survey tools, and mobile access. Global Formation also provides complementary services including corporate training management, knowledge development programs, custom content development, and workplace coaching. The company serves mining, manufacturing, and industrial clients and has recently expanded to offer public courses through platforms like Udemy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAÉLO: Online learning and training management platform (LMS/PaaS) developed by Global Formation for the industrial, manufacturing and mining sectors. Offers features including training management, competency assessment, interactive apprentice booklets, report and form creation, OHS non-compliance management, and surveys.

Products and services

• PAÉLO LMS Platform Cloud-based SaaS Learning Management System (LMS) for enterprise industrial, manufacturing and mining companies. Combines training management, worker competency assessment, OHS non-compliance tracking, interactive apprenticeship booklets, custom report/form builders, approval workflows and survey capabilities in one platform.
• Corporate Training Management Services Enterprise training management services including database setup, online training material development, and LMS implementation for organizations adopting PAÉLO.
• Knowledge Development Services Learning program implementation, competency classification exams, and progression tracking services for employee skill development.
• Customized Training Content Development Creation of personalized training materials tailored to specific work environments and company needs, including 3D imaging and specialized e-learning modules for client equipment and procedures.
• Workplace Coaching Services On-site workplace coaching using online learning booklets adapted to employees' workstations to evaluate whether workers have mastered their tasks safely and independently.
• WHMIS 2015 Training Course (Udemy) Public online training course covering WHMIS 2015 (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) for individual learners seeking safety certification, distributed via the Udemy marketplace.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduction in OHS (occupational health and safety) contributions
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minière O3coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Minière O3, a key gold exploration player in Quebec, chose PAÉLO to optimize training of its teams. The collaboration positions Minière O3 at the forefront of innovation in the mining sector.
• Aya Gold SilvercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024PAÉLO announced a new partnership with Aya Gold Silver for the implementation of its training platform in Morocco. This marks an important step in Global Formation's mission to improve safety and efficiency in the mining sector, extending beyond Canada into international markets.
• NiobeccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Niobec, one of the world's three largest niobium producers (part of Magris Magris PGM), partnered with PAÉLO for structured and adaptable training delivery. PAÉLO provides virtual 3D site tours, interactive apprentice booklets, and effective training report management for Niobec's mining operations.
• Groupe Minier WindfallcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PAÉLO partnered with Groupe Minier Windfall, a gold industry leader in Quebec. The partnership demonstrates PAÉLO's effectiveness in meeting specific training needs in the gold mining industry, providing 3D virtual tours, competency management, and compliance reporting for Windfall's workforce.
• Winsome ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024PAÉLO partnered with Winsome Resources to revolutionize training in the mineral exploration sector. This collaboration demonstrates PAÉLO's ability to meet the unique and complex challenges of the mining industry.
• APSM (Association de la Santé et Sécurité Minière)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2023PAELO-APSM partnership to strengthen training and compliance in the mining sector. The partnership provides member companies with access to PAÉLO's training platform along with APSM's industry-specific safety expertise and standards, improving safety outcomes across the mining industry.
• Microsoft (HoloLens 2)coreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal Formation integrates Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality technology into its PAÉLO training platform, enabling immersive 3D training experiences. Workers can see and manipulate virtual objects overlaid on real-world environments, allowing safe, hands-on-equipment training without physical proximity to dangerous machinery.
• UdemyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal Formation distributes public online courses (WHMIS 2015 in French) through the Udemy marketplace, reaching individual consumers and expanding beyond enterprise B2B sales into the direct-to-consumer training market.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationAWS provides the cloud hosting infrastructure for Global Formation's website and PAÉLO platform, ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure cloud-based delivery of training services.
• Active CampaigncoreTechnology or IntegrationActive Campaign provides CRM functionality for Global Formation, managing customer relationships, communications, and potentially marketing automation for lead nurturing.
• QuickbookscoreTechnology or IntegrationQuickbooks handles billing and invoicing for Global Formation, providing financial management and accounting services for the company's operations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vector Solutions: Training and compliance platform with deep penetration in industrial, manufacturing and energy safety — directly comparable to PAÉLO's OHS, competency-tracking and procedure-management value proposition.
• BIS Safety Software: Safety-training and compliance management software widely adopted across mining, oil & gas and construction in Canada — overlapping PAÉLO's OHS, competency and inspection workflows in the same target verticals.
• 360Learning: Collaborative learning platform with strong LMS/LXP capabilities and enterprise focus; competes with PAÉLO for corporate training RFPs, particularly in compliance-led use cases.
• TalentLMS: SMB-and-mid-market LMS with SCORM support and customizable content; competes with PAÉLO's self-service SaaS motion on price-sensitive training programs.
• Intertek Alchemy: Workplace training and SOP-execution platform purpose-built for frontline industrial workforces, with strong overlap to PAÉLO's manufacturing/mining safety training and paperless procedure workflows.
• Docebo: AI-powered enterprise LMS serving regulated and industrial workforces with SCORM compliance and custom content workflows — the most direct horizontal competitor to PAÉLO for mid-market and enterprise corporate training deals.
• Absorb Software: Cloud LMS purpose-built for mid-market and enterprise training programs, including compliance and competency tracking — closely comparable to PAÉLO's enterprise LMS positioning with a stronger North American sales footprint.

Broad incumbents

• SAP Litmos: Enterprise LMS offered inside SAP's broader ecosystem, often deployed for compliance and safety training at industrial employers — a credible alternative buyer when enterprises consolidate LMS spend with their ERP vendor.
• Cornerstone OnDemand: Large-scale talent and learning management suite with broad enterprise adoption; competes with PAÉLO for corporate training budgets but as part of a wider HCM portfolio rather than a mining-specialised niche.

Emerging players

• Sana (Sana Learn): AI-native learning platform entering enterprise compliance and onboarding workflows — represents the next-generation LMS competitor that could compress differentiation built on traditional LMS features.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user107272741
• Facebookfacebook.com/global.formation.net
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paelo

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 GLOBAL FORMATION INC.