Credly

About Credly

Credly operates a digital credential network designed to verify individuals' skills, knowledge, and abilities for the global workforce. The company was founded in 2012 by Jonathan Finkelstein, an entrepreneur with a background in education technology who previously co-founded HorizonLive, which was later acquired by Blackboard. Finkelstein's experience in online learning platforms and his work on a report for the US Department of Education concerning digital badges for adults informed Credly's mission to connect verified skills with opportunities.

The firm's core business revolves around providing a platform for organizations to create, manage, and distribute secure, data-rich digital credentials, commonly known as badges. These credentials serve as verifiable proof of an individual's achievements. Credly's client base is diverse, encompassing educational institutions, professional associations, training providers, and corporate employers. The business model is subscription-based, with organizations paying for access to the platform to issue credentials to their learners, employees, or members. An additional revenue stream is generated by charging a fee for the issuance of a credential after a course is completed.

A significant milestone in Credly's history was its acquisition by Pearson, the global learning company, in a deal finalized in January 2022 for a total value of $200 million. Pearson had been a partner and investor since 2018 before acquiring the remaining stake in the company. Following the acquisition, Credly became a central part of Pearson's Workforce Skills division, though it continues to operate under its own brand. Prior to this, Credly had raised a total of $18.2 million in funding over three rounds.

The platform offers a suite of enterprise-class features. These include tools for issuing credentials in bulk, integrations via APIs, and analytics dashboards that provide insights into program success. For earners, Credly provides a lifelong, portable digital wallet to manage and share their verified credentials across professional networks and resumes. A key feature is the metadata mapping, which attaches specific skills and context to each credential, making them more meaningful to potential employers. The platform also includes a "Talent Directory" that helps connect individuals with job opportunities based on the skills verified through their credentials.