Treehouse Partners launches pioneering learning platform with backing from Innovate UK and the University of Gloucestershire
Stroud-based Treehouse Partners has launched its groundbreaking “Unlocked” service, a tech-enabled people development solution designed to democratise learning for growing businesses.
For 17 years, Treehouse has been synonymous with high-quality learning and development. But when Director Helen Westendorp saw smaller organisations struggling to formalise training during rapid growth, she set out to change the game.
“We wanted to take executive-level development and make it accessible to everyone,” says Helen. “That meant moving from human-led to tech-led, and that’s where Innovate UK came in.”
From Vision to Reality with KTP Funding
Treehouse secured funding through Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to collaborate with the University of Gloucestershire, leveraging its digital expertise to develop a scalable digital tool. The result is Unlocked, a platform that combines self-assessment, 360-degree feedback, and scenario-based testing into a unique Capability Quotient (CQ) measure.
This innovation enables businesses to identify skills gaps and plan targeted development with support from Treehouse’s Learning and Development (L&D) team - all at around 40% less cost than hiring an in-house L&D manager.
“The bottom line is that clients are able to deliver on their promises and keep quality high because they’ve got the right people with the right skills doing the right jobs.”
Innovate UK Business Growth: A Strategic Partner
As Unlocked moved from prototype to market, Helen turned to Innovate UK Business Growth for guidance. Working with innovation and growth specialists Andrew Phillips and Paul Albone, Treehouse refined its commercial strategy, defined customer personas, and validated its value proposition through Digital Catapult research.
“Andrew was an arch navigator - clear, supportive, and incisive,” Helen explains. “Paul helped us simplify our messaging and size the market opportunity. That insight was invaluable.”
Driving a New Category: CapTech
Unlocked doesn’t just fill a gap; it creates a new category: Capability Tech (CapTech). By blending technology with human expertise, Treehouse is helping fast-growing companies keep quality high, retain talent, and onboard effectively, all while reducing risk.
Since completing the KTP, Treehouse has built a tech team, expanded its L&D department, and launched lead generation campaigns based on robust market research. Early results show strong traction, with smaller businesses embracing Unlocked as a cost-effective, scalable solution.
“There’s no way we could have done this without Innovate UK,” Helen reflects. “It’s not just the funding - it’s the pathway, the confidence, and the capability-building support that made this possible.”
Unlocked is now live, opening doors for businesses that want to grow without compromise.