The Networking Institute

What The Networking Institute does

The Networking Institute is an Irish private company founded in 2011 by Kingsley Aikins and headquartered in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. It delivers training, coaching and curriculum on professional networking, public speaking, philanthropy and diaspora engagement to four customer segments: corporate teams, government agencies, higher-education institutions and individual professionals.

The product portfolio spans self-paced online courses (The Networking Online Training Course at €85, the Speaking & Presenting Course at €45, and the Philanthropy & Fundraising Course at €65, each sold as perpetual access via Stripe), a 15-week Extended Networking micro-learning programme, expert-led Networking Masterclasses delivered in-person or online to corporate teams, and diaspora-specific training. Delivery is built on the Thought Industries learning management system, with payment processed through Stripe; the company holds no patents and relies on proprietary authored methodologies (the 4-Step Networking Process, the P.I.E Theory, the 3 P's Framework and a 4-Phase Fundraising Process) as its core content moat.

Revenue is generated through three streams: self-service individual course purchases (one-time licence), bespoke corporate masterclasses and extended programmes (priced per requirements and contracted in multi-year deals), and consulting/engagement work with governments and educational institutions. Distribution is direct: e-commerce for individuals, and field/enterprise sales driven by the founder for corporate, government and education clients. The book 'Networking Matters' (2025) provides a small supplementary revenue channel and brand asset. A 2024 joint venture, The Diaspora Institute, extends the offering with Dr. Martin Russell of Global Diaspora Insights.

Name

The Networking Institute

Legal name

The Networking Institute

Website

https://thenetworkinginstitute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Networking Institute is an Irish training company founded in 2011 by Kingsley Aikins that delivers online and in-person courses, masterclasses and curricula on professional networking, public speaking and philanthropy to corporates, governments, universities and individuals worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development Training

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Learning Content & Course Publishing Platforms (BPAMAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)

Keywords

• Professional networking training
• Diaspora engagement consulting
• Philanthropy fundraising courses
• Public speaking training
• Corporate soft skills workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Blackrock

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Online Courses: Self-paced online courses sold individually to professionals. One-time purchase model with lifetime access to course content.
2. Corporate Masterclass Training: Expert-led in-person workshops or online presentations for corporate teams. Customized per organization with pricing based on requirements, duration and subject matter.
3. Diaspora Engagement Programs: Training and consulting services for governments and organizations on diaspora engagement strategies, working with countries, ministries and global organizations.
4. University and School Programs: Networking skills curriculum for higher education institutions and secondary schools to enhance student employability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Networking Institute designs and delivers structured networking, public speaking, philanthropy/fundraising, and diaspora engagement training programs. Its individual offering consists of self-paced online courses (The Networking Online Training Course, Speaking & Presenting Course, Philanthropy & Fundraising Course, plus a 15-week Extended Programme), while its enterprise/government offering comprises customized in-person or online masterclasses and consultancy engagements built around proprietary 4-step, PIE, and 3 P's methodologies. The institute also publishes related content such as the book 'Networking Matters'.

Product overview

The Networking Institute offers a portfolio of online training courses and programmes focused on professional networking skills development. The core offerings include The Networking Online Training Course (self-paced, €85), The Extended Networking Programme (15-week intensive), The Networking Masterclass (in-person/online presentation), Speaking & Presenting Course (€45), and a Philanthropy & Fundraising Course (€65). The programmes are built around Kingsley Aikins' proprietary 4-step networking methodology (Research, Cultivation, Asking, Stewardship) and the PIE Theory of Success. Upcoming offerings include Diaspora Engagement courses. The company also published the book 'Networking Matters'. All courses use the same underlying framework emphasizing networking as a process rather than an art or science.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Diaspora Institute: A centre of training, research and solutions on diaspora engagement, co-founded with Dr. Martin Russell.

Products and services

• The Networking Online Training Course Self-led online networking training course with 4 sessions covering the 3 core elements of Process, Principles and Practice. Sold to individuals and professionals for €85 with lifetime access.
• The Networking Masterclass Expert-led networking masterclass delivered in-person or online to corporate teams. Customized per organization to address specific networking needs; available in one, two or three hour formats.
• The Extended Networking Programme 15-week self-led micro-learning programme that systematically builds networking capabilities through monthly challenges, tips and directed networking practices with monthly metrics tracking.
• Speaking & Presenting Course Self-led online public speaking and presenting training course covering preparation, development and delivery of impactful presentations using TED Talk speaking strategies. Priced at €45.
• Philanthropy & Fundraising Course Online training programme examining historical and religious origins of philanthropy, the intergenerational transfer of wealth, and a proprietary 4-phase fundraising process. Includes modules on campaign fundraising, board development and networking for fundraising. Priced at €65.
• Diaspora Engagement Programs (Bespoke) Bespoke training and consulting services for governments, ministries and global organizations on diaspora engagement strategies, philanthropic fundraising and diplomatic training, delivered under the leadership of founder Kingsley Aikins and Diaspora Advisor Dr. Martin Russell.
• University and School Networking Programmes Networking skills curriculum and programmes delivered to universities and secondary schools to enhance student employability and soft-skills development.
• Networking Matters Book Book titled 'Networking Matters: The Power of Human Connection' authored by Kingsley Aikins, serving as a guide to mastering Hi-Tech and Hi-Touch approaches to building networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research shows having an open, diverse network is the #1 predictor of career success
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers17 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• The Diaspora InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between Kingsley Aikins of The Networking Institute and Dr. Martin Russell of Global Diaspora Insights to create a world-leading centre of training, research and solutions on diaspora engagement. Website announced coming early 2025.
• Global Diaspora InsightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Martin Russell's company that collaborated with The Networking Institute to establish The Diaspora Institute. Dr. Russell serves as Diaspora Advisor to The Networking Institute.
• Thought IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning management system platform used to host and deliver The Networking Institute's online courses. Payment processing handled by Stripe.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing platform used for course purchases and transactions on the website.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mind Tools: Online subscription library of business and personal development skill resources (communication, leadership, career management); comparable in its self-paced, content-led delivery model for individual professionals.
• Dale Carnegie & Associates: Global training firm offering courses in communication, leadership, public speaking, and interpersonal skills via in-person workshops and online programs — the closest established peer to TNI's soft-skills, networking, and speaking training portfolio.
• Toastmasters International: Worldwide membership organization for developing public speaking and networking skills through local club meetings; competes for the same individual-professional buyer seeking speaking and confidence training.
• The Ken Blanchard Companies: Corporate training and consulting firm specializing in leadership, management, and interpersonal skills via workshops, coaching, and digital learning — comparable target customer (L&D buyers) and delivery model (customized workshops).
• Brian Tracy International: Personal and professional development company built around a single author's methodologies, selling online courses, books, and seminars on sales, leadership and career advancement — comparable founder-led IP-and-content business model.
• FranklinCovey: Training and consulting company built around proprietary methodologies (e.g., The 7 Habits), selling enterprise workshops, online courses, and coaching — directly comparable content-IP-plus-workshop business model.

Broad incumbents

• LinkedIn Learning: Mass-market online learning platform with thousands of business, soft-skills, and communication courses, sold via subscription to individuals and enterprise L&D; competes at the self-paced, low-price tier.
• Center for Creative Leadership: Nonprofit research and education institution delivering leadership and interpersonal-skills programs to executives and teams; comparable in its research-backed methodology, enterprise program format, and trainer-led delivery.
• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a sizable leadership and professional development training practice — comparable enterprise buyer (senior HR/L&D) and customized program delivery for large corporates.

Others

• Coursera:

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thenetworkinginstitute5558
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thenetworkinginstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/thenetworkinginstitute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 The Networking Institute