Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with René Janssen, CEO & Founder of Lepaya, an employee training platform that has raised over $85 Million in funding. Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: - Global Upskilling Need: René describes the universal need for upskilling among the 3.3 billion global workforce, driven by rapid changes in job requirements and skill sets. Lepaya addresses this by offering a platform that combines technology with human expertise to enhance work effectiveness and prevent burnout. - Personal Drive: The idea for Lepaya stemmed from René’s own experiences at Lazada, where he observed significant inefficiencies and employee turnover due to inadequate skills training and development processes. - Combination of Tech and Human Touch: Lepaya differentiates itself by integrating technology with human-led training, recognizing that essential workplace skills—like leadership and communication—are inherently human and benefit from real interaction. - Market Size and Opportunity: The global market for employee development is vast, with current spending estimated at around $400 billion annually. Lepaya positions itself within the ’people development’ category, focusing on universally applicable skills across industries. - Challenges in Market Adoption: Initially, Lepaya faced challenges in market penetration due to its innovative approach, which significantly deviates from traditional training methods. The solution required educating potential clients about the unique benefits of integrating technology with personalized human training. - Vision for the Future: René envisions Lepaya as a leader in the people development space, significantly impacting how companies invest in human capital to remain competitive and ensure employee well-being and productivity. Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe. www.GlobalTalent.co