Story of Jolt: Workforce Education Platform Offering Business Training & Skill Development
Story of Jolt:
Birth of a New Kind of Education
Jolt was founded in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Roei Deutsch, along
with co-founders Lior Frenkel, Nadav Leshem, and Nitzan Cohen Arazi. The idea
came from their shared frustration with traditional education systems and the
belief that career-focused learning should be flexible, affordable, and
impactful. Deutsch, who now serves as CEO, envisioned an alternative path to
higher education.
The Mission Behind Jolt
At its core, Jolt is a workforce education platform designed
to give professionals practical business skills without the barriers of
traditional universities. Its model focuses on short, high-quality lessons
taught in modern classrooms, giving learners an opportunity to gain knowledge
from world-class instructors while keeping the process flexible and accessible.
Learning Without Limits
Unlike rigid degree programs, Jolt’s courses are structured
to fit into busy lives. Lessons are short and engaging, offered in the evenings
to accommodate working professionals. Students can join classes at their
nearest campus, accumulate credits, and even pause or resume learning based on
their schedules. This flexibility makes Jolt especially appealing to those who
want to upskill while balancing careers.
An Affordable Alternative
Jolt brands itself as a “NAMBA” — Not an MBA. While a
traditional MBA in the U.K. costs around £30,000, Jolt’s NAMBA program is
priced at just £175 per month, or roughly £4,500 in total. This drastically
lowers the financial burden and eliminates the loss of income associated with
stepping away from a job to pursue a degree.
Funding for Growth
The company attracted major investors early on. In its
Series A round, Jolt raised $14.1 million, led by Balderton Capital with
participation from Octopus Ventures and Hillsven Capital. This brought its
total funding to $23.3 million within just three years. The funds were
earmarked for international expansion, particularly across the U.K., Israel,
and the U.S.
Expanding Across Borders
By this stage, Jolt had already established three campuses
in London — Shoreditch, Soho, and Liverpool Street — and seven campuses across
Israel. The company also announced plans to launch its first U.S. campus in
Manhattan, with the goal of offering the same accessible, high-end learning
experience globally.
A Response to a Broken System
CEO Roei Deutsch has often criticized the current state of
higher education, pointing out that trillions of dollars are spent each year on
degrees that don’t necessarily serve most students. He argues that Jolt
provides a realistic alternative, one that aligns with modern professional
needs without requiring years of commitment or massive debt.
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Curriculum Designed by Experts
Jolt prides itself on using instructors who are actively
working at some of the world’s top companies, including Google, Netflix, and
TrustLab. This ensures that the material is always relevant and up-to-date.
Students are encouraged to provide feedback after each session, creating a
continuous improvement loop for both teaching and content quality.
A Different Kind of Learning Experience
Instead of lectures and exams, Jolt classes rely on
practical, interactive methods such as role-playing, debates, and discussions.
These techniques help students immediately apply what they’ve learned, whether
they’re looking to climb the career ladder, transition industries, or simply
build new skills.
Shaped by Military Inspiration
Deutsch and his co-founders were inspired by their time in
the Israeli Defense Forces. They saw how quickly regular people could be
trained into intelligence officers, proving that intense, focused learning
could transform careers in months rather than years. This shaped their belief
that education should be fast, efficient, and practical for everyone.
Challenging the Education Bubble
Higher education has long been criticized for being
expensive and outdated. Jolt directly addresses this issue by giving students
control: they only pay for the classes they need. If they want a diploma, they
can work toward it; if not, each lesson still provides skills that can be
applied immediately in the workplace.
Redefining the Future of Learning
Today, Jolt positions itself as a true alternative to
business schools, offering affordable, flexible, and practical education for
professionals. Its goal is to reshape higher education globally, giving people
tools to advance their careers without pausing their lives or sinking into
debt.
Timeline of Jolt
- 2015–2016
– Concept of Jolt takes shape, founded by Roei Deutsch, Lior Frenkel,
Nadav Leshem, and Nitzan Cohen Arazi in Tel Aviv.
- 2017–2018
– First campuses open in Israel, followed by three in London (Shoreditch,
Soho, Liverpool Street).
- 2019
– Jolt introduces its flexible “NAMBA” program as an alternative to
traditional MBAs.
- 2020
– Series A funding round raises $14.1M, led by Balderton Capital; total
funding reaches $23.3M.
- 2021
– Expansion continues across the U.K. and Israel; plans announced for U.S.
entry with a Manhattan campus.
- 2022–2023
– Curriculum expanded, featuring instructors from Google, Netflix, and
other global companies.
- 2024
– Jolt recognized as a leading workforce education platform, challenging
the higher education status quo.
- 2025
– Jolt remains active in global discussions on the future of learning,
with continued focus on affordability, accessibility, and professional
impact.
