I recently connected with Nelson Sivalingam, CEO, and his team at HowNow to discuss their recent funding round and their new AI learning agent, Guru. Our conversation revealed a clear vision for the future of learning technology that balances AI automation with human connection.
Following their February funding announcement, HowNow has maintained their focus on mid-enterprise to enterprise clients while accelerating their AI capabilities. Their approach stands out in the crowded learning technology market by addressing a fundamental shift in how people expect to engage with learning content.
Market Context
The learning technology market continues to evolve rapidly, with specialized providers addressing specific workforce needs across various sectors. While enterprise LXPs like Edcast by Cornerstone and Degreed maintain significant market presence, we’re seeing increased demand for solutions that bridge the gap between traditional learning management and real-time, personalized experiences.
The market currently divides between all-purpose enterprise HR systems with learning components and specialized learning platforms focusing on specific use cases or industries. While large enterprises often deploy comprehensive HR suites with built-in learning modules, many organizations supplement these with specialized learning platforms like Fuse Universal, 360Learning, and Thrive Learning that focus on specific learning needs or delivery methods.
HowNow positions itself as an “end-to-end learning platform” with a dual focus on technology-driven experiences and human connection. This approach aligns with current market trends: organizations increasingly seek platforms that can deliver both structured learning content and in-the-moment support while fostering human connections.
What sets HowNow apart is their clear hypothesis about the future of learning: passive, asynchronous experiences will become less relevant as learners develop lower tolerance for traditional e-learning approaches. In response, they’re developing solutions that enable both technology-driven synchronous learning and enhanced human-to-human connections.
Key Technology Differentiators
During my conversation with Nelson and his team, several aspects of HowNow’s technology approach stood out:
Guru: A Conversational Learning Agent
Rather than simply offering a responsive assistant that retrieves information, HowNow has developed Guru, a purpose-built learning agent that can teach, coach, challenge, and provide feedback. The platform allows organizations to create multiple specialized Gurus for different functions or teams, each with tailored knowledge bases and conversational styles.
During the demonstration, I observed how Guru integrates with the user’s skills profile, adapts conversations based on individual context, and provides personalized practice scenarios. The agent can simulate workplace situations, evaluate skill application, and deliver deep dives into specific topics with hyperlinked concepts for seamless exploration.
Most impressive was the focus on bringing learning directly into workflow applications. The agent can be accessed within Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and other work environments, reducing friction between learning and application. Guru can even proactively initiate learning interactions based on calendar events, suggesting practice sessions before important meetings.
One client reported significantly higher engagement with learning content after implementing Guru compared to their previous course-based approach. This aligns with broader industry trends where interactive, conversational learning experiences typically generate stronger engagement than traditional e-learning modules.
Knowledge Packs and Verified Content
HowNow addresses the challenge of reliable content through partnerships with knowledge providers like getAbstract, bringing expert content from thought leaders into their learning agents. This approach ensures the platform provides verified information rather than potentially inaccurate responses.
The platform allows organizations to incorporate their own knowledge base, including PDFs, presentations, and organization-specific content. This creates a reliable foundation for learning interactions while maintaining alignment with organizational practices and terminology.
Community-Building Tools
Beyond conversational capabilities, HowNow has invested in tools that facilitate human connections through community spaces called “channels.” These spaces bring together people, content, and resources, with technology that can find relevant materials and facilitate interactions.
This dual approach — enhancing both technology-driven and human connections —reflects a sophisticated understanding of learning needs. While technology can provide immediate answers and personalized guidance, human communities create the sense of belonging and contextual understanding that automation alone cannot deliver.
Competitive Landscape
HowNow operates in a competitive learning technology market with several established players focused on the UK and European region:
Fuse Universal, a UK-based learning experience platform, focuses on knowledge sharing and social learning with strong video capabilities and integration options. Their approach emphasizes tacit knowledge transfer through social learning and workflow integration.
360Learning with its strong European presence, positions itself as a collaborative learning platform that enables peer-driven content creation and distribution. Their focus on user-generated content appeals to organizations looking to harness internal expertise.
Edcast by Cornerstone offers an AI-powered learning experience platform that delivers personalized content recommendations and learning pathways. Their solution emphasizes skills development and content curation with significant market presence in the UK.
Thrive Learning offers a learning platform with strong personalization features and analytics capabilities. Their UK-focused solution serves organizations seeking engaging learning experiences connected to business outcomes.
What distinguishes HowNow is their clear hypothesis about learning’s future. As Nelson put it, “the prolific use of AI is going to lower our tolerance for anything that’s passive and asynchronous.” This belief drives their product strategy, focusing on both conversational learning tools and enhanced human connections. While competitors add features to existing platforms, HowNow has redesigned the learning experience around personalization, workflow integration, and measurable skills development.
Who Should Consider HowNow
Based on our discussion, HowNow is particularly well-suited for:
Mid-Enterprise to Enterprise (500+ employees) that need comprehensive learning solutions beyond basic compliance training.
Knowledge-Worker-Focused Companies across various sectors. HowNow’s solutions are designed primarily for desk-based knowledge workers.
Organizations Undergoing Digital Transformation that need to rapidly upskill employees and ensure knowledge transfer during periods of change.
Learning Teams Facing Strategic Business Questions beyond basic compliance reporting. HowNow’s focus on skills development and application provides deeper insights than traditional completion metrics.
Companies Seeking Cost-Effective Enterprise Learning Solutions. HowNow offers competitive pricing compared to established platforms while delivering comparable capabilities.
Brandon Hall Group™ POV
HowNow occupies a distinctive position in the learning technology market with their balanced focus on technology innovation and human connection.
Their core hypothesis about the diminishing relevance of passive, asynchronous learning resonates with trends observed across industries. Organizations increasingly recognize that traditional e-learning courses alone don’t deliver sustained behavior change or skill development.
The Guru Studio approach gives organizations control over creating purpose-built learning agents rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution. This flexibility allows for specialized agents that serve different functions, teams, and learning needs.
Their commitment to measuring skills development as their North Star metric aligns with the shift from learning activity to learning impact. Their approach focuses on demonstrable skill growth rather than merely tracking course completions or engagement metrics.
HowNow has redesigned the learning experience around conversational capabilities while preserving human connection. For organizations seeking to move beyond traditional learning approaches and leverage both technology and human expertise, HowNow presents a compelling option.
