HowNow Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2016, HowNow is a London-based company dedicated to integrating meaningful learning into daily work routines. The company's mission is to empower employees by providing timely, relevant learning experiences that drive productivity and personal growth. Operating within the educational technology sector, HowNow has established itself as a significant player by offering AI-driven learning solutions that cater to the evolving needs of modern workplaces.

Key Strategic Focus

HowNow's strategic focus centers on delivering personalized, skills-first learning experiences through its AI-powered platform. The company specializes in creating learning pathways tailored to individual roles and responsibilities, ensuring that employees acquire the skills necessary for their specific functions. By integrating with workplace tools like Microsoft Teams and Slack, HowNow embeds learning into the flow of work, making it accessible and relevant. The primary markets targeted include organizations seeking to enhance employee development and drive business success through continuous learning.

Financials and Funding

As of 2023, HowNow reported a revenue of $9.6 million, reflecting consistent growth since its inception. The company has successfully secured multiple funding rounds to support its expansion and product development:

February 2023: Raised £4 million (~$5 million) in a Series A funding round led by Mercia Ventures and Pearson. The funds were allocated for team expansion, international operations, and platform enhancement.

February 2025: Secured an additional $9.5 million in Series A funding, with contributions from Mercia Ventures, Pearson, and Fuel Ventures. This investment aimed to accelerate the company's vision of providing tools for Learning and Development (L&D) teams to demonstrate impact, drive skills development, and connect learning to business success.

Technological Platform and Innovation

HowNow distinguishes itself through its proprietary AI-driven learning platform, which offers:

Personalized Learning Pathways: Utilizing AI to map employees to the skills they need based on their roles, creating customized learning experiences.

Integration with Workplace Tools: Seamless integration with platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack, embedding learning into daily workflows.

AI-Powered Insights: Providing self-service analytics and AI agents that assess skill proficiency based on real performance data, moving beyond traditional self-assessments.

These innovations position HowNow as a leader in delivering relevant, timely, and business-aligned learning solutions.

Leadership Team

HowNow's leadership comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing workplace learning:

Nelson Sivalingam: Co-founder and CEO, leading the company's strategic vision and growth initiatives.

Kuvera Sivalingam: Co-founder and COO, overseeing operational strategies and ensuring efficient execution.

Ashish Kumar: Co-founder and CTO, responsible for technological innovation and platform development.

Chris Chesterman: Head of Sales, driving revenue growth and client acquisition.

Lulu Dermeche: Head of Customer Success, ensuring client satisfaction and long-term partnerships.

Pauline Taylor: Head of People, focusing on talent acquisition and organizational culture.

This team collectively contributes to HowNow's mission of transforming workplace learning.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The corporate learning and development market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing need for upskilling and reskilling in rapidly evolving industries. Organizations are investing in learning platforms that offer personalized, scalable, and integrated solutions to enhance employee performance and business outcomes.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the AI-driven workplace learning sector include:

Sana Labs: Offers a digital learning platform that personalizes education using artificial intelligence, closely tailoring content to individual student needs.

Board Intelligence: Provides a SaaS platform aimed at improving decision-making in boardrooms through structured content and insights.

N.Rich: Develops an Account-Based Marketing platform that integrates with CRM systems to enhance B2B customer engagement through AI-driven data analysis.

These competitors focus on leveraging AI to deliver personalized learning experiences, data-driven insights, and improved decision-making processes, contributing to the dynamic and competitive landscape of the corporate learning market.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

HowNow has established significant partnerships to enhance its content offerings and platform capabilities:

Mind Tools for Business: In November 2022, HowNow partnered with Mind Tools to expand its content library, providing access to e-learning modules specializing in management and compliance, as well as an animation suite with up to 50 videos on various topics.

These collaborations strengthen HowNow's market position by enriching its learning resources and catering to diverse organizational needs.

Operational Insights

HowNow's strategic considerations in relation to major competitors and market position include:

Integration with Workplace Tools: By embedding learning into platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack, HowNow differentiates itself by making learning a seamless part of daily work.

AI-Driven Personalization: The use of AI to create personalized learning pathways based on real performance data sets HowNow apart in delivering relevant and effective learning experiences.

Focus on Skills Development: Emphasizing skills-first learning aligns with organizational goals of upskilling employees to meet evolving business challenges.

These operational strategies position HowNow as a leader in the corporate learning space, offering solutions that are both innovative and aligned with business objectives.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, HowNow aims to:

Expand Internationally: Utilize recent funding to enter new markets and serve a global clientele.

Enhance AI Capabilities: Develop more sophisticated AI agents to further personalize learning experiences and provide deeper insights into skill development.

Achieve Upskilling Goals: Commit to upskilling 10 million people by 2030, contributing to global efforts in workforce development.

By leveraging its current strengths and focusing on these strategic opportunities, HowNow is well-positioned to continue its growth and impact in the corporate learning industry.