We’re on a Mission to Make Meaningful Learning a Part of Everyday Work: Nelson Sivalingam, CEO of HowNow

HowNow is an EdTech learning platform that connects people with the knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. Designed for businesses, it helps teams find, share, and manage learning resources in one place. By integrating with various tools and using artificial intelligence, the company delivers relevant content at the right time, making learning a seamless part of daily work. HowNow is built to reduce information overload and ensure employees can access skills and knowledge without disrupting productivity. Organizations use it to upskill teams, onboard new employees, and create a culture of continuous learning.

In Conversation with Nelson Sivalingam, Co-Founder and CEO of HowNow

What inspired you to start HowNow?

I have always been passionate about how people learn and grow. The idea for HowNow came from my own experiences with the challenge of finding the right knowledge at the right time. Traditional learning methods often fail to keep up with the pace of work, and I wanted to create a solution that makes learning more efficient and accessible.

How does HowNow differentiate itself from other learning platforms?

We focus on making learning frictionless. Instead of expecting employees to leave their workflow to find knowledge, we bring knowledge to them. Our platform integrates with the tools teams already use, ensuring they get the right information when they need it. We also use AI to personalize learning and help businesses measure the real impact of knowledge on performance.

What challenges did you face while building HowNow?

Starting a company always comes with challenges. One of the biggest was shifting the mindset around workplace learning. Many businesses still rely on outdated methods that don’t align with how people actually work. Convincing organizations to rethink learning required persistence, but once they saw the benefits, adoption grew quickly.

How has the role of workplace learning evolved in recent years?

The way we work has changed dramatically, and so has the way we learn. People no longer have time to sit through long training sessions that don’t feel relevant. Learning now needs to be on-demand, embedded into daily tasks, and tailored to individual needs. Businesses that embrace this approach see higher engagement and better results.

What role does artificial intelligence play in HowNow?

AI helps us deliver personalized learning experiences. It ensures that employees get the most relevant knowledge based on their role, skill gaps, and the tasks they are working on. AI also helps automate knowledge discovery, reducing the time spent searching for information and making learning more efficient.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs building EdTech solutions?

Focus on solving a real problem. There are plenty of learning platforms, but not all address the challenges people face in their daily work. Understanding your users, iterating based on feedback, and staying adaptable is crucial. Also, never underestimate the importance of company culture—it shapes everything from product development to customer relationships.

How do you define success for HowNow?

Success is when our customers see real improvements in learning and performance. If employees can find the right knowledge quickly, upskill efficiently, and feel more confident in their roles, we know we are making a difference. Growth and financial success follow when you focus on solving meaningful problems.

What has been the most rewarding part of building HowNow?

Hearing stories from businesses that have transformed how they learn. When companies tell us that HowNow has helped them onboard employees faster, improve team collaboration, or boost productivity, it reinforces why we started this journey. Seeing our platform make a real difference is incredibly fulfilling. 

How do you see HowNow evolving in the next few years?

We want to continue making learning as seamless as possible. That means deeper integrations with workplace tools, smarter AI-driven recommendations, and expanding our reach to more industries. The goal is to make knowledge accessible to anyone, anywhere, without disrupting work.

Nelson Sivalingam, Co-Founder and CEO, HowNow

Our platform integrates with the tools teams already use, ensuring they get the right information when they need it. We also use AI to personalize learning and help businesses measure the real impact of knowledge on performance.