Laureate Education wanted to close equity gaps in Peruvian higher education, where traditional university models left large populations underserved, and its Universidad Privada del Norte needed low-cost delivery models that could scale. Vivaldi Group ran a four-phase process to design new models built on innovative segmentation, partnership approaches and scalable platforms, validated with prospective students before rollout. Two models were prioritized with validation scores of 92 to 93% and prepared for independent launch, with potential to scale across the Laureate network.
Laureate sought to address equity gaps in higher education in Peru, where traditional university models left significant populations underserved. Universidad Privada del Norte needed innovative, low-cost delivery models that could scale.
Vivaldi led a four-phase process to conceptualize new delivery models based on innovative segmentation, partnership approaches and scalable platforms. The work prioritized models that could be validated with consumers before broader rollout.
Two education models were prioritized with validation scores of 92 to 93% and prepared for independent launch, with scalability potential across the broader Laureate network.
| Client | Laureate Education, Universidad Privada del Norte (UPN) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education, higher education |
| Region | Peru |
| Objective | Low-cost, scalable delivery models for students the traditional university model left out |
| Vivaldi scope | Four-phase innovation process: segmentation, partnership models, scalable platform design, consumer validation (growth strategy and innovation) |
| Outcome | 2 models prioritized with validation scores of 92 to 93%; prepared for independent launch |
Large parts of Peru’s population were not served by the traditional university format, on cost, location or schedule. Making the existing model cheaper would not reach them; the format itself had to change. Universidad Privada del Norte, a leading institution in the Laureate network, needed delivery models designed for those students from the start.
Any new model also had to be scalable, so that what worked in Peru could be replicated elsewhere in the network rather than staying a one-off pilot.
Vivaldi’s four-phase process started with innovative segmentation to define who the new models were for, then explored partnership approaches and scalable platforms that could lower cost and widen reach. Concepts were developed into delivery models and validated with prospective students before any rollout, so investment would follow evidence.
Two models came out on top with validation scores of 92 to 93% and were prepared to launch independently. Vivaldi’s article on business model innovation frameworks covers the method.
Laureate is one of the 15 innovation strategy examples Vivaldi has published with their outcomes.
Laureate Education engaged Vivaldi to address equity gaps in Peruvian higher education through Universidad Privada del Norte, which needed new delivery models that could reach populations the traditional university format was leaving out. Vivaldi ran a four-phase process built on innovative segmentation, partnership approaches, and scalable platforms, producing two prioritized education models with consumer validation scores of 92 to 93% and preparing them for independent launch with scalability across the broader Laureate network.
Laureate Education was one of the largest networks of for-profit higher education institutions globally, historically operating universities across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Universidad Privada del Norte (UPN) in Peru is a leading institution within the Laureate network, serving tens of thousands of students in the Peruvian value-segment higher education market.
Two new low-cost education delivery models for Universidad Privada del Norte, both validated with prospective students at 92 to 93% and prepared for independent launch. The models were designed to reach populations the traditional university format left underserved and to scale across the Laureate network.
Through a four-phase process built on innovative segmentation, partnership approaches and scalable platforms. Segmentation defined who each model served, partnerships and platforms lowered cost and widened reach, and consumer validation before rollout confirmed demand.
Because the students it underserves are excluded by the format as well as the price. A cheaper version of the traditional university still misses them, while a model designed around their needs can reach them and still be economically viable.
Validate new models with prospective students before rollout, and design for scale from the start. Laureate’s two models reached 92 to 93% validation and were built on platforms and partnerships that can be replicated across the network.
