The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a Downers Grove-based technology trade association, has acquired a Massachusetts software company as it aims to launch an online testing platform for the tech industry.
CompTIA announced Tuesday that it acquired Metacog, a Worcester, Mass.-based startup that uses artificial intelligence and big data to develop certification, evaluation and training software. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition allows CompTIA to add additional features to its single-source learning resource for the technology workforce. Using Metacog’s technology, CompTIA can enhance its online testing platform for remote tech workers.
CompTIA, founded in 1982, provides education, certification and market research to the tech industry and its workforce. Metacog, founded in 2014 by Douglas Stein, Owen Lawlor and Victoria Porras, has raised $3.6 million in venture capital funding, according to Crunchbase.
Online testing options for internet-based and remotely proctored high-stakes exams and tests is becoming more popular, but many platforms don’t have all the features they need, CompTIA says. Current platforms are either poorly designed or not enterprise-scalable. Others are lacking security protections and real-time data accessibilities.
“CompTIA recognizes the need to support all those wanting to pursue a career in technology, regardless of where they live or when they make their career decisions,” said Randy Gross, chief information officer at CompTIA, in a statement. “By making remote testing widely available we’ll provide equal access to a tech career on-ramp for those individuals who may not have easy access to a brick-and-mortar testing center.”
The testing platform CompTIA is building will feature a comprehensive set of data analytics and reporting options, as well as have the ability to be scaled across a large company.
Metacog is the third acquisition CompTIA has made in recent years. Last year, the organization acquired gtslearning, and in 2017, acquired the Association of Information Technology Professionals.
