Fidelis Education

Fidelis Education was founded by Gunnar Counselman, a former U.S. Marine and graduate of Harvard Business School. The company was initially established to support military veterans transitioning to civilian education and careers. ^{[1] [2]}

The company specializes in Learning Relationship Management (LRM), a proprietary category of educational software. The LRM framework is designed to help universities, colleges, and professional development programs scale and manage complex relationships between students, coaches, faculty, and mentors. This approach focuses on achieving specific student outcomes related to retention, skill attainment, and long-term career success. ^{[3] [4]}

Fidelis secured early venture capital funding, including a $2.5 million initial round from Accel and Novak Biddle. This was followed by a subsequent $4 million investment from the American Public University System (APUS) in 2013, which was part of a larger funding round. Following this investment, Fidelis strategically shifted its model to focus primarily on licensing its LRM technology platform to a wider enterprise audience—including top-tier universities and public companies—while scaling back the direct provision of services like mentorship. ^[5]

Technology

The company developed a cloud-based software platform that allows users to manage personal and professional goals from matriculation, through graduation, and continuing into their careers. The platform connected students with a professional coach and a team of mentors throughout the process. The company has partnered with Arizona State Online, American Public University, and Stanford University. ^[4]

Funding

Fidelis is funded entirely through venture capital. The first round of funding raised $2.5 million from Accel and Novak Biddle. ^[6]

Operational Status and Platform Focus

Fidelis Education maintains an active operation, focusing its efforts on licensing and supporting its LRM cloud-based software platform. Unlike many venture-backed startups that either exit or cease operations, Fidelis appears to have sustained a focus on its core technology product.

The platform's current offerings include a customizable LRM system designed for various learning lifecycles, including:

• Higher Education: Supporting student success, retention, and degree completion.
• Professional Development: Managing coaching and tracking for certification programs and corporate training.

The platform is explicitly designed for integration with existing Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Student Information Systems (SIS). The company emphasizes the LRM system's role in providing scalable out-of-class support, allowing staff to manage individual learning plans, track progress, and facilitate connections between learners and support networks. ^[7]

References

1. "Gunnar Counselman". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
2. Stansbury, Meris (2014-08-29). "Top universities' new platform helps with retention, post-grad careers". eCampus News. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
3. "Home Page". Fidelis Education. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
4. Vander Ark, Tom. "Fidelis Charts Course With Learner Relationship Management". Getting Smart. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
5. "American Public Education Announces Minority Investment in Fidelis Education to Further Enhance Student Engagement and Successful Learning Outcomes". www.apei.com. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
6. "Welcome : Novak Biddle - Venture Partners". Novak Biddle. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
7. "Home Page". Fidelis Education. Retrieved 2025-10-19.