To reflect on that evolution, Daniel Mendonca, Head of Growth, and Sean Bridgeman, Head of Product, sat down for a fireside chat to unpack what changed and what it means for 2026.
Watch the fireside chat below.
Democratized Development
First, generative AI changed how work gets done. For the first time at Halight, non-developers pushed code into production that’s now being used by customers.
That shift goes beyond speed. It represents a more democratized approach to product development — one where more perspectives shape the experience. As a result, products feel more natural, more relevant, and easier to evolve alongside customer needs.
Community-Driven Learning
At the same time, we doubled down on the frontline. Our customers told us clearly: not everyone needs a traditional LMS, but everyone wants to support the people closest to the customer.
That insight led to the launch of Energize Retail, our multi-vendor, community-driven experience designed specifically for sales associates. It brings learning, engagement, and brand connection into one place.
This new platform reflects who we are as a business: energetic, people-first, and focused on learning that happens in the flow of work.
Engagement That Drives Return Visits
Next, we focused on engagement in a more intentional way. Instead of measuring success by logins alone, we looked at what brings people back.
By personalizing experiences around what users do — not just who they are — content can unlock based on behavior, experiences adapt in real time, and teams can test what truly resonates.
The result? Roughly 10% of Halight LMS users return daily. That’s a strong signal that learning platforms can adopt the same habit-building mechanics as today’s best consumer apps.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we head into 2026, AI will continue to matter — but not as a differentiator on its own. The real opportunity lies in understanding user value, building empathy, and creating learning experiences that deliver both functional and emotional payoff.
Modern learning shouldn’t feel like a course catalog. It should feel like a product people want to return to.
Energize Your Frontline
If you’re rethinking how learning shows up for frontline teams, and how to drive repeat engagement, we’d love to show you what’s possible.