Rise Up CEO and co-founder Arnaud Blachon has unveiled a new venture focused on artificial intelligence, named Forge Learning, following a struggle to integrate AI into the existing platform effectively. In a recent LinkedIn post, Blachon explained that Rise Up initially adopted a conventional SaaS strategy for AI development, but despite early enthusiasm, progress stagnated. “For months, nothing shipped,” he noted, reflecting on the internal challenges faced by the company.
Blachon emphasized that while the company recognized AI’s potential, translating that understanding into functional products proved difficult. He identified a “massive gap between what we knew was possible and what was actually getting built.” This discrepancy became increasingly clear after observing other companies in San Francisco that had successfully deployed AI tools with tangible results. “It was ready. We just weren’t set up to move fast enough,” he wrote, prompting a reevaluation of the company’s strategy.
Rather than continuing to integrate AI incrementally into the existing platform, Blachon decided to bifurcate the approach. He specified that the company would maintain gradual improvements within Rise Up while simultaneously developing something entirely new. “Incremental AI value onto Rise Up. For the next frontier? Start from scratch,” he stated, underscoring the need for a fresh direction.
Forge Learning is positioned as a standalone AI performance platform, distinct from Rise Up’s traditional learning management system (LMS) and learning experience platform (LXP) model. “That’s how Forge Learning was born. Not a feature. Not an upgrade. A new company,” Blachon highlighted. This shift reflects a broader trend in enterprise learning, as providers move away from static, platform-based strategies toward more dynamic systems that integrate into daily workflows.
Designed to function within existing business tools, Forge aims to leverage real-time data to pinpoint performance gaps, create tailored content, and deliver coaching exactly when needed. This model prioritizes continuous, in-context support instead of relying solely on structured courses or disconnected learning environments.
The separation into Forge Learning also illustrates the structural challenges in AI adoption within organizations. Blachon noted that existing teams often lack the capacity to pursue both incremental advancements and transformative product innovations simultaneously. “Because you can’t ask the same team to think incremental on one product and transformational on another. You have to split,” he explained.
He further elaborated on the necessity of reevaluating Rise Up’s existing platform, framing it as a foundational element rather than a conclusive solution. “The hardest part wasn’t the decision. It was accepting that what we’d built for 10 years was the foundation. But we needed so much more,” he admitted. This recognition comes as enterprise learning providers face mounting pressure to link training efforts directly to performance outcomes, with AI emerging as a critical tool for delivering timely, contextual support within workflows.
The move to establish Forge Learning not only signifies a strategic pivot for Rise Up but also highlights the evolving landscape of enterprise training and development. Companies are increasingly called upon to demonstrate how educational initiatives translate into measurable performance improvements, and the integration of AI tools stands to redefine how training is delivered and assessed.
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open, recognizing education technology organizations that deliver measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards invite entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions evaluated based on demonstrable outcomes and real-world applications.
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