Brainbench

About Brainbench

Established in January 1998 by Mike Russiello and Bill Lake, former employees of computer services firm EDS, Brainbench carved a niche in the online skills assessment and certification market. Initially launched as Tekmetrics.com, the company rebranded as Brainbench in December 1999. The platform was designed to provide online testing and certifications, primarily focusing on the Information Technology sector, but eventually expanding to over 600 assessments. These tests covered a wide range of categories including finance, management, office skills, and healthcare.

Brainbench operated on a multifaceted business model, catering to both individual users and corporate clients. For individuals, it offered a way to validate their skills and enhance their career prospects through certifications. The platform provided a mix of free and paid exams; some certifications were sponsored by partners or Brainbench itself, while others required a fee. Upon successful completion, users received certificates of accomplishment for their online transcripts. Corporate clients, which included Fortune 500 companies, U.S. government agencies, and universities, utilized Brainbench's platform for pre-employment screening, employee skill development, and internal skills tracking. The business generated revenue through a credit system for corporate accounts, where companies would purchase credits to administer assessments to candidates or employees.

The company's history is marked by a series of acquisitions, reflecting consolidation within the talent assessment industry. In 2006, PreVisor acquired Brainbench, a move that expanded PreVisor's IT skills testing portfolio and strengthened its government sector presence. The journey continued as PreVisor merged with SHL in 2011, which was subsequently acquired by the Corporate Executive Board (CEB) in 2012, and later by Gartner in 2017. The CEB Talent Assessment business, including the Brainbench assets, was then sold to Exponent Private Equity in 2018 and rebranded as SHL. Ultimately, Brainbench ceased its services on August 31, 2022.