MentorShow

High-Level Overview

MentorShow is a Paris-based edtech startup founded in 2020 that builds an online platform delivering exclusive video masterclasses created and hosted by renowned French-speaking experts in fields like sports, cooking, management, well-being, and leadership.[1][2][3] It serves individuals seeking professional and personal skill development, solving the problem of dull learning by blending education with entertainment ("edutainment") through high-production-value courses featuring celebrities such as Karim Benzema, Pierre Gagnaire, and Marc Lévy, making self-improvement as engaging as streaming a show.[1][2][3] With nearly 500,000 users in France and Spain, €20 million in total funding (including a €15 million Series A led by Educapital and Crédit Mutuel Innovation), and a subscription model offering unlimited access to 1.5-4 hour courses, MentorShow has shown strong early traction amid the post-pandemic e-learning boom.[1][2][3][5]

Origin Story

MentorShow was launched in 2020 by Mathieu Moreno and Léo Dubert, two entrepreneurs who independently pursued the idea of having famous experts teach their crafts via engaging videos.[1][3] They connected after pitching the same mentor, merging their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic when digital learning surged, allowing the platform to capitalize on the shift to online "edutainment."[3] Early traction came quickly, gathering nearly 50 mentors and attracting over 500,000 users in France and Spain through masterclasses on diverse topics, with funding rounds—including €15 million from Educapital, Crédit Mutuel Innovation, Left Lane Capital, and All Iron Ventures—fueling expansion.[1][2]

Core Differentiators

• Edutainment Format: High-definition, Netflix-style video masterclasses (1.5-4 hours in 5-20 minute lessons) produced exclusively with celebrities, emphasizing entertainment via community, gaming elements, and celebrity appeal to make learning addictive rather than obligatory.[1][2][3][5]
• Expert Curation Process: In-house market research, credibility checks, and dedicated teams for outreach and co-creating content with mentors like athletes, chefs, and authors, ensuring relevance and quality tailored to French/European audiences.[1][3]
• User-Centric Access: Subscription unlocks unlimited streaming, downloadable PDFs, exclusive community, mobile/podcast compatibility, anytime pacing, and a 14-day money-back guarantee, prioritizing flexibility and retention.[5]
• Data-Driven Operations: Advanced dashboards for revenue KPIs (MRR, ARR), mentor performance, and user insights, enabling optimized product decisions and growth strategies.[4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

MentorShow rides the global edtech wave accelerated by COVID-19, where e-learning evolved toward engaging, on-demand formats amid demands for autonomous, skill-focused upskilling in a hybrid work era.[1][3] Its timing aligns with rising "edutainment" popularity, differentiating from U.S. giants like MasterClass by targeting French-speaking markets with localized celebrities, filling a gap in culturally resonant content.[3] Favorable forces include Europe's edtech funding surge and consumer shift to flexible, celebrity-driven learning, positioning MentorShow to influence the ecosystem by onboarding high-profile mentors (nearly 50 to date) and expanding geographically, potentially standardizing premium video education in non-English regions.[1][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

MentorShow is primed for scaled growth, leveraging its €20 million war chest to add mentors, enter new markets beyond France and Spain, and enrich content amid sustained edtech demand.[1][3] Trends like AI-personalized learning and gamified skills platforms will shape its path, with data analytics enabling precise expansions in high-engagement areas like leadership and well-being.[4] Its influence may evolve from niche French edutainment leader to pan-European contender, humanizing expertise in a democratized digital learning future—echoing its mission to make self-investment as compelling as prime-time entertainment.[1][3]