6 Academy Examples You'll Want to Steal

Whether you’re building your academy from scratch or refining a growing program, there’s plenty to learn from these examples. No two academies are the same, and that’s the beauty of it—your academy should reflect your unique goals, audience, and brand, As a note, we chose to highlight a mix of Skilljar customers and non-customers—giving you an agnostic look at different approaches.

Which Academies did we cover?

• Vanta
• Clay
• Miro
• Apollo
• Totango
• Shopify

For those who missed it or want to share some learnings with your team, here’s a quick recap

"One of the first things that I think about looking at an academy is from the learner's perspective: Why would I visit this page? Why am I here versus somewhere else, another page on their site, or off on YouTube?" — Evan Hall

So, what works? Let’s dive into the key ingredients that set these academies apart.

Vanta Academy: A Masterclass in Simplicity

Vanta’s Academy is not built on Skilljar.

What They Do: Vanta is a trust management and compliance platform, helping companies navigate SOC 2 audits and security certifications. Their academy caters to technical B2B learners in a regulated space.

Goal: Onboarding new customers efficiently while serving a highly technical audience.

Highlights:

Simplicity First: The academy is clean, with minimal distractions. The content is focused on helping learners complete key tasks like “Creating” or “Onboarding,” and the design supports action rather than exploration.

Clarity for Experimentation: The straightforward navigation lets users focus on solving their immediate compliance challenges rather than getting lost in the weeds. Learners can jump right into relevant content and try things out in a structured, low-friction way.

"Obviously, people are going to spend as much time as they need on a course, but I found benchmarking completion times to be incredibly useful. It helps learners say, ‘Yes, I’ve got time for a two-minute video’ or ‘No, I can’t do a two-hour course today.’—Evan Hall

Why it Works:

• UI & Navigation: Minimalist, action-oriented tiles make it easy for learners to get started without feeling overwhelmed.
• CTAs: Clear guidance toward actionable tasks, inspiring learners to move from passive consumption to active implementation.
• Log-In: A one-time authorization email simplifies access for non-customers, reducing barriers.
• Integration: Vanta Academy ties seamlessly into their larger ecosystem, guiding users to their help center for additional support.

What You Can Steal: Cut the fluff. Focus your academy on solving core problems learners face, not just showcasing your content.

What Vanta Can Do Next:

"We usually encourage our customers to organize content based on roles, a use case, or a level. That way, learners can say, ‘Oh, that’s me!’ and immediately know where they need to go."—Evan Hall

Clay University

As far as we know, this is a homegrown Academy built on their own site.

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What They Do: Clay is a data enrichment platform used to build and automate workflows for lead generation and operations. They’re catering to savvy marketers and sales ops pros who love experimentation.

Goal: Lead generation and inspiring prospects with best-in-class thought leadership.

Highlights:

Interactive Design: From dynamic visuals to search nudges, the academy invites learners to dive in and experiment. The interactivity mirrors their product’s ethos: building and testing workflows with creativity and curiosity.

Accessibility for Experimentation: Every video has an accompanying text guide, making it easy for learners to choose their preferred way to engage. This dual approach empowers users to test product features in real time without feeling overwhelmed.

Why It Works:

• UI & Navigation: A minimalistic design makes it easy for learners to jump right into key courses like “Clay 101.”
• CTAs: Encourages users to explore and experiment with features, helping them connect learning directly to their workflows.
• Log-In: Open access keeps the academy lightweight, allowing users to dive into content immediately.
• Integration: Embedded as part of their main website, the academy feels like a natural extension of their product experience.

What You Can Steal: Pair video with searchable text to support different learning styles. And keep the visual cues playful—it encourages exploration.

Apollo Academy: Engaging and Aspirational

As far as we know, Apollo’s Academy is homegrown and built on their own site.

Who They Are: Apollo is a sales engagement platform for outbound prospecting and pipeline management. Their academy blends lead generation with customer education for a sales-savvy audience.

Main Goal: Lead generation and brand trust through high-value content.

Highlights:

• High-Impact Content: Masterclasses feel like true thought leadership, engaging learners with industry insights rather than just product how-tos.
• Subtle Lead Capture: Mid-course prompts ask for an email to continue, nurturing leads while respecting the learner’s time.
• Practical Application: These courses position Apollo as a trusted guide, inspiring learners to experiment with sales tactics based on expert strategies.

Why It Works:

• UI & Navigation: Focused on use cases and skills-based learning, guiding learners to relevant content quickly.
• CTAs: Strategic mid-course email prompts encourage engagement and drive lead conversion, while “Request a Demo” invites non-users to explore the product.
• Log-In: Subtle lead capture integrates seamlessly into the learning experience without feeling intrusive.
• Integration: High-production masterclasses tie into Apollo’s broader marketing strategy, positioning them as a trusted resource.

What You Can Steal: Invest in high-value, aspirational content. Use it to spark curiosity and invite learners to experiment with your product.

Miro Academy: Guiding Advanced Learners

We’re proud to have Miro as a Skiljar customer!

What They Do: Miro is a collaborative whiteboarding platform used by teams for brainstorming, agile workflows, and product design. With a broad user base, they focus on empowering power users to go deeper.

Goal: Upskilling advanced users and showcasing continuous innovation to their community.

Highlights:

Power User Focus: This academy isn’t about onboarding—it’s about accelerating growth for seasoned users. Courses like “Elements of Agile” cater to learners who already know the basics and want to refine their skills.

Experimentation with Confidence: The structured tags (badges, webinars, videos) and detailed outlines give learners a clear path to dive deeper while still knowing exactly what they’re getting into.

Why It Works:

• UI & Navigation: Clean design with a mix of content formats, plus tags that highlight content type (badges, webinars) for easy browsing.
• CTAs: Calls to action are embedded subtly, encouraging exploration without distraction.
• Log-In: SSO and user accounts provide personalized access, with potential for advanced filtering based on roles or industries.
• Integration: Miro positions its academy as a hub for advanced learning, complementing its help center and community forums.

What You Can Steal: Focus on where your learners are, not where they start. Build for their next step, not just the first one.

Totango Campus: Role-Based and Relatable

We’re proud to have Totango as a Skilljar customer!

Who They Are: Totango is a customer success platform, and their academy is designed to support CSMs and other customer-facing roles with a clear path to success.

Main Goal: Role-based onboarding and deepening CS expertise.

Highlights:

• Human Filters: Filtering by “What I Do” and “Who I Am” lets learners self-identify and jump into the most relevant content. It’s role-based personalization done right.
• Encouraging Experimentation: With pre-filtered course catalogs, learners can dive right into curated content, making it easier to test new strategies without extra clicks or confusion.

Why It Works:

• UI & Navigation: Filters like “What I Do” and “Who I Am” help learners find their path immediately.
• CTAs: Thoughtful prompts, like “Request a Demo,” reflect their hybrid goal of educating customers and generating leads.
• Log-In: Easy navigation ensures a frictionless experience, keeping learners focused on the content.
• Integration: A unified global nav connects the academy to Totango’s help center and marketing site, creating a seamless user journey.

What You Can Steal: Use simple, relatable filters to help learners find their lane fast. Make their experience feel personalized from the first click.

Shopify Academy: A Model of Maturity

We’re proud to have Shopify as a Skilljar customer

Who They Are: Shopify powers millions of e-commerce stores worldwide, serving entrepreneurs, developers, and partners. Their academy reflects their massive scale and diverse user base.

Main Goal: Empowering sellers to maximize their businesses while supporting partners and developers with specialized content.

Highlights:

• Segmentation Brilliance: With clear paths for “Sellers,” “Partners,” and “Developers,” Shopify’s academy meets learners where they are. This structure helps users focus on the content that’s most relevant to their goals.
• Experimentation with Context: Courses like “Planning for Peak Season 2024” help sellers test strategies while preparing for critical moments.
• Integrated Badging: Earning badges reinforces learning while boosting the user’s sense of accomplishment and connection to Shopify.

"Peak season is a great example where marketing, sales, and customer education can collaborate. It’s not just about telling customers you can help—it’s about showing them with actionable resources that connect the dots."—Evan Hall

Why It Works:

• UI & Navigation: Segmented paths (“Learn on Shopify,” “Developing on Shopify”) allow learners to self-identify and access tailored content.
• CTAs: Integrated badging incentivizes course completion while “Planning for Peak Season” aligns with seasonal business needs.
• Log-In: SSO with Google makes accessing the academy fast and painless.
• Integration: The academy is fully aligned with Shopify’s broader ecosystem, connecting seamlessly to product tools, help centers, and marketing campaigns.

What You Can Steal: Think about your audience segments—and decide which are the top priority for your navigation and hero content. What can you build that’s highly specific to their unique needs without boiling the ocean?

Key Takeaways: What Makes an Academy Work for Learners?

Building a great academy isn’t about copying someone else—it’s about creating an experience that works for your learners. Here’s what stood out across the board:‍

1. Intuitive UI and Navigation‍

Learners don’t want to waste time figuring out where to go. The best academies make it easy to find and engage with content right away.‍

Why It Matters: A clean, simple design reduces friction and keeps learners focused on learning, not navigating.

What Works:

• Vanta’s minimalist UI focuses learners on actionable tasks.
• Totango’s role-based filters ("What I Do" and "Who I Am") make it easy for learners to self-identify and dive in.
• Miro’s tags (e.g., badges, webinars) balance structure and choice for advanced learners.

Takeaway: Start by understanding how your learners want to explore—by role, task, or format—and design navigation that speaks to them.

2. Thoughtful CTAs That Guide, Not Push

CTAs aren’t just about driving clicks; they’re about helping learners take the next step. Whether they’re continuing a course, exploring another topic, or booking a demo, make sure your calls to action feel natural and aligned with their goals.‍

Why It Matters: Learners want to feel guided, not sold to. Well-placed CTAs build trust and momentum.‍

What Works:

• Apollo’s mid-course email prompt captures leads while respecting the learning experience.
• Shopify’s integrated badging incentivizes learners to complete courses and earn recognition.
• Totango’s “Request a Demo” CTA acknowledges that some visitors might not be customers yet.

Takeaway: Align CTAs with the learner’s journey, offering value at every step without overwhelming them.‍

‍3. Seamless Log-In Experiences

A clunky log-in process can frustrate learners and derail their experience before it even starts. Prioritize ease and accessibility to ensure your academy feels welcoming.‍

Why It Matters: Log-in is the first step in learning. Make it frictionless to set the tone for a great experience.

What Works

• Shopify’s SSO integration allows quick log-ins with Google, reducing barriers for learners.
• Vanta’s one-time authorization email offers a simple and secure way for non-users to access content.
• Takeaway: Keep your log-in process simple, fast, and secure to maximize learner engagement from the get-go.

4. Your Academy in the Bigger Picture

Your academy doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s part of your broader brand ecosystem. The best academies feel seamlessly integrated with your website, help center, and product experience.‍

Why It Matters: Learners shouldn’t feel like they’ve left your brand to learn. Consistency builds trust and keeps them engaged.

What Works

• Totango’s global navigation creates a cohesive experience across their academy, knowledge base, and main site.
• Shopify’s segmented paths (e.g., “Learn on Shopify,” “Developing on Shopify”) help different audiences find relevant content while staying within the same brand voice.
• Apollo’s academy ties directly into their marketing funnel with subtle but effective lead gen hooks.
• Takeaway: Ensure your academy feels like a natural extension of your brand, not a siloed experience.

5. Make Learning Feel Easy (and Fun!)

Learning doesn’t have to be daunting. The most successful academies inspire experimentation, support multiple learning styles, and give users the confidence to try something new.‍

Why It Matters: A learner who feels empowered is more likely to engage deeply with your product.

What Works:

• Clay’s interactive design and dual video-text content let learners choose how they engage.
• Shopify’s “Planning for Peak Season 2024” course inspires learners to test strategies in real time.
• Apollo’s high-production masterclasses position them as thought leaders while encouraging practical application.
• Takeaway: Build content that’s approachable, actionable, and aligned with your learners’ goals, making it easy for them to experiment and grow.

Final Thoughts

There’s no perfect formula for building an academy, and that’s the point. Your learners’ needs, your business goals, and your brand voice are unique—and your academy should reflect that.

Take what works, experiment boldly, and create a learning experience that feels like home for your audience. If you want help getting there, you know where to find us. 😉

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