With the fourth quarter upon us, learning leaders are busy trying to reach their end-of-year goals while also finalizing their learning strategies for 2026. Training providers, similarly, are busy working to roll out innovative solutions — from skills-based learning platforms to AI-powered tools and technologies — to meet pressing training needs.
Last quarter’s deals took place across multiple segments of the market, with the most activity occurring in the learning technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.
Let’s take a moment to dive deeper into last quarter’s activity.
In the AI Sector
In Q3, the AI sector of the market saw two deals, reflecting the ongoing demand for AI-driven training. Based on Training Industry market research, we expect this trend to continue into 2026, and for the AI training sector to continue to expand into different specialties, as we’ve seen with AI authoring and coaching.
- Tami Software, Inc., an AI-powered training platform and marketplace, raised $400,000 in pre-seed funding to accelerate product development and market reach.
- Workday, Inc., the enterprise AI platform for managing people, money and agents, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sana, an AI company building the next generation of enterprise knowledge tools. “Sana’s team, AI-native approach, and beautiful design perfectly align with our vision to reimagine the future of work,” Gerrit Kazmaier, president of product and technology at Workday, said in the press release.
Learning Technologies
The learning technologies sector also saw two deals last quarter:
- Thrive, a learning technology company, brought Huler, a “next-gen employee hub,” into its portfolio to build a fully integrated learning, mentoring and employee experience platform. The acquisition of Huler, a smart intranet with AI-powered search and personalization, signals Thrive’s “continued mission to design a unified future of learning and employee experience, with technology people actually want — and use,” the press release
- Honor Education, a learning platform and solutions provider, announced $38 million in Series A funding from Alpha Edison, Wasserstein & Co, Audeo Ventures, Interlock Partners, New Wave Capital and other investors.
Other Deals by Market Segment
Here are the remaining deals we took note of last quarter, organized by market sector:
Learning Services and Outsourcing
- NIIT Learning Systems Limited, a global leader in managed learning services, completed the acquisition of Munich, Germany-based MST Group, a managed learning services provider.
Performance Management
- Thrive, a learning technology company, announced the acquisition of Guider, an AI-powered mentoring and coaching platform, in a multimillion-pound deal. Later in Q3, Thrive completed its second acquisition of the quarter when it acquired Huler, as noted above.
Sales Training
The sales training sector also saw one deal last quarter, highlighting what’s become a key AI use case: sales coaching.
- Arcade, a sales gamification platform for the front-line workforce, announced the acquisition of Upduo, an AI-powered coaching provider for retail sales environments. The acquisition culminated in the launch of a new, fully integrated product: Arcade AI Sales Leader.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- RethinkFirst, a company providing evidence-based solutions that support neurodiversity in the workplace and at home, acquired Joshin, a leading provider of disability and neurodivergent support services.
Workforce Development
- Udemy, an AI-powered skills development platform, announced its board of directors approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the purchase of up to $50 million of the company’s common stock, effective immediately.
IT/Technical Training
- Hack The Box (HTB), a gamified cybersecurity skills development provider, announced that it has acquired LetsDefend, a cybersecurity defense upskilling platform known for its hands-on security operations center (SOC) simulations and growing community members.
What are your market predictions for the remainder of the year? What did you think of last quarter’s deals? Share your predictions and thoughts by tagging Training Industry on social media or by emailing editor@trainingindustry.com.
