FOSWAY 9-GRID FOR DIGITAL LEARNING: WHERE THE DIGITAL LEARNING MARKET IS HEADING

The Fosway 9-Grid for Digital Learning is one of the most widely referenced reports in the European learning market. It provides an independent view of vendors, alongside analysis of the trends shaping digital learning. In the 2026 report, the direction is clear. The market is shifting away from content-heavy platforms towards skills-driven, AI-enabled ecosystems that connect learning directly to business performance. At Popcorn Learning Agency, we’ve reviewed the latest report and pulled out the key market trends from the Market and Solution Trends section.

What is the Fosway 9-Grid, and why does it matter?

Fosway Group is Europe’s leading HR industry analyst. Their 9-Grid model evaluates digital learning providers based on performance, potential, market presence and future trajectory.

For L&D leaders, it acts as a market signal for where digital learning is heading. The value of the report is in the analysis behind it.

At Popcorn, we’ve gone through the report in detail and identified five clear shifts shaping the digital learning market right now.

Top 5 Market Trends Shaping Digital Learning

1. The market is pivoting from content to skills

Fosway highlights a clear direction: skills are becoming the organising principle of digital learning.

Platforms are evolving from content libraries to skills intelligence systems.

This includes:

• skills taxonomies,

• role-based capability mapping, and

• real-time skills insights.

  
  

What this tells us about the market:

Vendors are no longer competing on volume of content. They are competing on how well they surface, track, and develop skills.

This is increasing demand for:

• learning and development solutions aligned to workforce capability, and

• better training needs analysis linked to real skill gaps.

  
  

2. AI is now a baseline feature, not a differentiator

The analysis shows that AI is now embedded across most platforms.

Common capabilities include:

• automated content creation,

• personalised learning journeys, and

• skills inference and recommendations.

  
  

What this tells us about the market:

The competitive edge is shifting towards how well AI is applied, not whether it exists.

This is driving demand for high-quality elearning development and strong instructional design services to guide AI outputs.

3. Platforms are merging into connected ecosystems

There is increasing overlap between:

• learning platforms,

• talent systems, and

• skills and workforce tools.

The result is a move towards integrated digital ecosystems.

This is shaping demand for scalable digital learning solutions and systems that connect learning with performance and talent data.

4. Learning is becoming embedded in everyday work

Fosway highlights the continued rise of learning in the flow of work.

This includes:

• learning embedded in collaboration tools,

• just-in-time performance support, and

• short, contextual experiences.

  
  

This is driving growth in interactive elearning and custom elearning content designed around real workflows.

5. The market is redefining how learning value is measured

The report shows a clear evolution in measurement.

The market is moving away from completion rates and time spent learning; towards skills progression, behaviour change and business impact.

This is increasing demand for built-in analytics and strong learning impact evaluation.

FAQs

What is the Fosway 9-Grid for Digital Learning?

It is a market analysis model that evaluates digital learning providers based on performance, potential and market presence.

Why is the Fosway report important for L&D leaders?

It provides insight into both vendor capabilities and the broader direction of the digital learning market.

What is the biggest trend in digital learning right now?

The shift from content-led platforms to skills-based ecosystems.

Is AI now standard in digital learning platforms?

Yes. Most platforms now include AI capabilities, making it a baseline expectation.

How is learning measurement changing?

There is a growing focus on skills, behaviour change and business impact rather than activity metrics.