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Overview
Passage helps people access education and career opportunities by building a network of partnerships with schools, employers, and banks. It focuses on immigrants and people with fewer financial resources, and uses technology to lower costs and simplify the process of studying abroad and finding work. The product works by connecting students with educational programs, employers who hire graduates, and financial institutions that offer tailored funding options, creating a funded path from education to employment. Passage sets itself apart by concentrating on mobility for immigrants and low-income individuals, offering a full ecosystem of partners and financial tools to reduce barriers and support long-term sustainability. Its goal is to expand global talent opportunities and enable social mobility by making education and career access affordable and scalable.
About Passage
Industries
Enterprise Software
Financial Services
Education
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Seed
Total Funding
$30M
Headquarters
Toronto, Canada
Founded
2023
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- ETS and Passage launch first capabilities this fall, accelerating institutional adoption.
- Passage's no-credit-check application expands access for students lacking traditional financial histories.
- Student-loan products and Canada-focused school partnerships align with labor-shortage migration demand.
What critics are saying
- Passage's 2023 seed round remains its only disclosed funding, limiting expansion.
- Loan underwriting for international students faces defaults when visas, jobs, or wages break down.
- ETS can switch partners after fall 2026 pilots, collapsing Passage's core channel.
What makes Passage unique
- ETS named Passage its exclusive strategic AI and technology partner on August 18, 2026.
- Passage combines admissions automation, fraud detection, and financing in one workflow.
- Atlas lists 20+ partner schools across Canada, creating distribution and data advantages.
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Funding
Total Funding
$30M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
1 Rounds
Industry standards
Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Remote Work Options
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Flexible Work Hours
Paid Vacation
Hybrid Work Options
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Professional Development Budget
Conference Attendance Budget
Stock Options
Company Equity
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 7%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 32%/Update. /Update - ETS/. Aug 18, 2026, 11:33 ET In the news release, ETS and Passage Announce Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Global Talent Pathways, issued 18-Aug-2026 by ETS over PR Newswire, the original version contained incorrect information introduced by PR Newswire during transmission. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end: ETS and Passage Announce Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Global Talent Pathways. PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - ETS, a global education and talent solutions organization, and Passage, the AI infrastructure for human potential, today announced a strategic partnership designed to connect millions of students with life-changing opportunities and give institutions the intelligence to find them. By bringing together trusted TOEFL and GRE assessment insights with Passage's advanced AI processing, matching, and engagement capabilities, the partnership will help institutions more effectively identify and connect with best-fit students at scale. Students will gain a faster, more transparent path from discovery to enrollment. ETS selected Passage as its exclusive strategic AI and technology partner to extend the reach and utility of TOEFL and GRE within the education ecosystem. Through the collaboration, TOEFL and GRE will be integrated with Passage's technology, creating new opportunities to use trusted assessment information within AI-enabled workflows, while maintaining ETS's existing role in assessment delivery and administration. This fall, ETS and Passage will introduce the first of these capabilities for both institutions and students. ETS will retain full ownership and operational control of its assessments, including test development, delivery, scoring, security, psychometric research, and validity standards, reinforcing its role as the research-backed trusted assessment owner of TOEFL and GRE. "Our partnership with Passage reflects ETS's commitment to helping students and institutions navigate a rapidly evolving global enrollment landscape," said Janet Garcia, President of ETS. "Together, we aim to support institutions by using the latest technology to unlock stronger global recruitment pathways while also expanding access to educational opportunities for students around the world." "Our mission is to provide access to life-changing opportunities. Fifty years ago, my father took the TOEFL, and it opened the door to his engineering degree. Fifteen years ago, I took the same test, and it opened the door to mine," said Martin Basiri, CEO of Passage. "For decades, TOEFL and GRE have given students a way to signal their academic readiness to institutions around the world. Passage is building the AI infrastructure that turns that into opportunity at a scale neither of us could have imagined, so millions of students can find the institutions already looking for them." To get updates on the official release of Passage solutions for institutions, register at www.passage.com/institutions. ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future ready. Our mission - advancing the science of measurement to power human progress - ensures our focus to enable everyone, everywhere, to demonstrate their skills and chart their path to future readiness for life. We are committed to readying 100M+ people for the next generation of jobs by 2035. We deliver on this commitment through trusted assessments and skills solutions - including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, Praxis and Futurenav - and groundbreaking initiatives powered by our Research Institute. With a robust global footprint, including subsidiaries (PSI), offices and operations in more than 200 countries and territories, we help over 50 million individuals each year measure their proficiency and unlock new opportunities. Discover how we expand our worldwide impact: www.ets.org About Passage Passage is on a mission to provide access to life-changing opportunities. Passage is the AI infrastructure for human potential, giving institutions the intelligence to find qualified students they have no way to reach today, and giving those students a direct path to the opportunities that fit. Learn more at www.passage.com. Correction: The quote from Martin Basiri was inadvertently omitted from the original distribution. SOURCE ETS
ETS and Passage announce strategic partnership to revolutionize global talent pathways. August 18, 2026 PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - ETS, a global education and talent solutions organization, and Passage, the AI infrastructure for human potential, today announced a strategic partnership designed to connect millions of students with life-changing opportunities and give institutions the intelligence to find them. By bringing together trusted TOEFL and GRE assessment insights with Passage's advanced AI processing, matching, and engagement capabilities, the partnership will help institutions more effectively identify and connect with best-fit students at scale. Students will gain a faster, more transparent path from discovery to enrollment. ETS selected Passage as its exclusive strategic AI and technology partner to extend the reach and utility of TOEFL and GRE within the education ecosystem. Through the collaboration, TOEFL and GRE will be integrated with Passage's technology, creating new opportunities to use trusted assessment information within AI-enabled workflows, while maintaining ETS's existing role in assessment delivery and administration. This fall, ETS and Passage will introduce the first of these capabilities for both institutions and students. ETS will retain full ownership and operational control of its assessments, including test development, delivery, scoring, security, psychometric research, and validity standards, reinforcing its role as the research-backed trusted assessment owner of TOEFL and GRE. "Our partnership with Passage reflects ETS's commitment to helping students and institutions navigate a rapidly evolving global enrollment landscape," said Janet Garcia, President of ETS. "Together, we aim to support institutions by using the latest technology to unlock stronger global recruitment pathways while also expanding access to educational opportunities for students around the world." To get updates on the official release of Passage solutions for institutions, register at www.passage.com/institutions. ETS is a global education and talent solutions organization enabling lifelong learners to be future ready. Our mission - advancing the science of measurement to power human progress - ensures our focus to enable everyone, everywhere, to demonstrate their skills and chart their path to future readiness for life. We are committed to readying 100M+ people for the next generation of jobs by 2035. We deliver on this commitment through trusted assessments and skills solutions - including TOEFL, TOEIC, GRE, Praxis and Futurenav - and groundbreaking initiatives powered by our Research Institute. With a robust global footprint, including subsidiaries (PSI), offices and operations in more than 200 countries and territories, we help over 50 million individuals each year measure their proficiency and unlock new opportunities. Discover how we expand our worldwide impact: www.ets.org About Passage Passage is on a mission to provide access to life-changing opportunities. Passage is the AI infrastructure for human potential, giving institutions the intelligence to find qualified students they have no way to reach today, and giving those students a direct path to the opportunities that fit. Learn more at www.passage.com.
Study in Canada with funding: How the ile-iwe educationx Passage event is changing the game for Nigerians. For many Nigerians, to study in Canada with funding has always been a dream, one filled with opportunity, global exposure, and long-term career prospects. However, for just as many people, that dream often ends at one major roadblock: funding. Tuition fees, living expenses, proof of funds, and uncertainty around return on investment have stopped countless qualified students from taking the next step. That is exactly why Ileiwe Education, in partnership with Passage, is hosting a Canada-focused Study Abroad & Funding Event this January in Lagos and Abuja designed to give students real options, real clarity, and real financial pathways. Ile-Iwe Education x Passage event details at a glance. Cities: Abuja & Lagos Focus: Studying in Canada with access to funding Funding: Student loans via Passage (Canada only) Timeline: January 29th and 31st 2026 * Students planning to study in Canada * Parents and sponsors * Professionals seeking healthcare, tech, or skilled trade pathways Why the ile-iwe education x Passage event is Important for Nigerians planning to study in Canada. Canada remains one of the most attractive study destinations globally because of: * High-quality education * Strong post-study work opportunities * Clear Permanent Residency (PR) pathways * Demand for skilled professionals in healthcare, technology, and trades Yet, many students delay or abandon their plans because they believe "I don't have enough money." Funding exists but only for the right schools, programs, and candidates. What is Passage and How does it Help students? Passage provides student loans and financing for international students specifically for Canada focusing on programs that align with Canada's labour market and long-term PR opportunities. * Finances specific, in-demand programs * Works directly with partner Canadian institutions * Supports both tuition and living costs for eligible students * Evaluates students based on future earning potential, not just current finances At the Ileiwe x Passage event, students will learn: * Whether their desired school and program is fundable * How the financing works * What programs give the best long-term outcomes in Canada Key partner institutions you can access through Passage. Some of the Canadian institutions supported through Passage include: George brown college (toronto). * Popular programs: Personal Support Worker (PSW) and other healthcare programs * Strong industry connections in Ontario * Excellent outcomes for healthcare-focused students Niagara college (niagara region). * Programs include Health Care Aide and other applied health programs * Known for practical training and employability * Strategic location with growing labour demand Bow valley college (calgary). * Programs in Web Development, Front-End Design, and other tech disciplines * Ideal for students interested in STEM and digital careers * Located in Alberta, a province with strong PR pathways Important: The list of supported schools and programs is dynamic. Eligibility depends on your chosen program, intake, and personal profile. Programs supported by Passage funding. Passage focuses on programs that match Canada's workforce needs, including: * Personal Support Worker (PSW) * Health Care Aide * Other healthcare-related diplomas STEM (science, technology, engineering & math). * Software & Web Development * Front-End Design * Technology-focused diplomas and degrees Skilled trades. * Programs aligned with Canada's labour shortages * Practical, job-ready qualifications Master's degrees. * Selected universities and programs * Subject to eligibility and career outcomes Why you should attend the ile-iwe education x Passage event. At the Lagos and Abuja events, students will have access to: * On-the-spot consultations with Ileiwe education advisors * Guidance on school applications and admissions * Clear explanations of Passage student loans * Program recommendations based on your goals and background * A realistic timeline from application to travel Ileiwe's role is to guide, structure, and execute your study-abroad journey from school selection to visa readiness while Passage focuses on making funding possible for eligible candidates. Together, the goal is simple: Help serious students move from interest to action. Why Choose ile-iwe education? Ile-Iwe Education is a strategic education partner for Nigerians navigating global education. With years of experience, strong institutional relationships, and a focus on transparency, Ileiwe helps students: * Avoid costly mistakes * Choose programs with real outcomes * Understand timelines, policies, and risks * Make informed, confident decisions Final call to action. If Canada is part of your 2026 plan and funding has been your biggest concern, this event is your clarity point. WhatsApp/Call +2349074899999 to register now to attend the Ileiwe x Passage Study Abroad & Funding Event in Lagos or Abuja. Seats are limited, and consultations are handled on a first-come basis.
To achieve this, LaborHack has partnered with Passage, a leading provider of education financing solutions, to offer flexible education loans that cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses to African construction workers moving into Canada.
In April, 2023, Passage, an online publication known for its left-wing opinion articles and essays, announced it had begun the process of merging with The Maple, another Canadian publication.
Passage is Hiring for 13 Jobs on Simplify!
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About Passage
Industries
Enterprise Software
Financial Services
Education
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Seed
Total Funding
$30M
Headquarters
Toronto, Canada
Founded
2023
Passage is Hiring for 13 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today