Hello! We're Lee and Ryan, the co-founders of beluga. You're probably thinking, "What's Beluga all about?" and "Why the fascination with beluga whales?". Well, let us take you on a journey! We're here to share the story of how we combined our passions for creativity, sustainability, and - naturally - a love for beluga whales, to create a company that's all about innovation and transformation.
it all started at a theme park...
We met nearly 15 years ago while working at the same theme park. We were both university students at the time, and little did we know, that part-time job would kick off a friendship—and later, a business partnership—that’s taken us from theme parks to learning and development, IT, and digital operations.
Lee here! I started my career in guest experience, juggling full time work and studying the environment. After transitioning my career into the world of Learning & Development (L&D), I eventually moved into a Director of People Development role at one of the largest integrated entertainment resorts in the world, followed by the wonderful world of consultancy. I’ve always been passionate about helping people learn and thrive at their best, and that’s a big part of what led us to Beluga.
Now, over to Ryan! I also kicked off my career in the theme parks industry, but I soon found my groove in IT, digital operations, and AI development. What can I say? I’ve always been a tech nerd. Since then, I’ve been consulting and project managing on everything from digital marketing to operations - and, of course, bringing the magic of AI into the mix.
beluga: born from our passion (and a whale)
So how did we go from theme parks to launching Beluga? Well, we both realised we wanted more freedom to make an impact in our careers. We wanted to do something that truly made a difference - not just for businesses, but for the world. Nature has always been a big inspiration for both of us, and what better creature to embody our values than the majestic beluga whale?
Beluga whales are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and strong social bonds—exactly the qualities we wanted to build into our company. So, Beluga was born! From day one, we’ve been all about being Creative, Freeing, Connected, and Evolving—both for ourselves and for the businesses we partner with.
the hard (but fun) part: starting a business
Let’s be real: starting a business is hard. And there were plenty of sleepless nights as we figured out how to build Beluga from the ground up. But we knew that if we were going to do this, it had to be done right. Sustainability, creativity, and making a positive impact on people and the planet were built into Beluga from the start.
Every decision we’ve made has centred around these values. We didn’t just want to talk about doing good—we wanted to build it into our DNA. That’s why we partnered with Ecologi to fund reforestation efforts with every project we take on. For every project we complete, trees get planted, and our own virtual forest grows (check out our Sustainability page for more info). It’s kind of awesome knowing we’re helping to make the world a little greener with every business we work with.
Oh, and did we mention the whales? A portion of our revenue goes straight to beluga whale sanctuaries, so these incredible creatures get the protection they deserve. So, when you work with us, you’re not just getting top-notch services - you’re helping protect the environment, too!
AI and VR: making work more fun (and way cooler)
Let’s talk tech. We’re both huge fans of new technology, especially AI and VR. Why? Because it makes everything more fun and engaging! We’ve been working out ways to incorporate these technologies into our projects because they drive real value for businesses - and they make learning and development a lot more exciting.
Imagine putting on a VR headset and diving into an immersive training experience where you’re solving problems and working with your team in real time. That’s what we want to bring to the table with our L&D solutions. And with AI? We can personalise training, optimise operations, and make everything run smoother. Whether you’re looking to level up your team’s skills or overhaul your digital presence, we’ve got the tech (and the enthusiasm) to make it happen.
But don’t worry, we’re not too obsessed with virtual worlds! We understand that building human connection is vital, and is the cornerstone of our promise: we will empower and inspire you through creativity, storytelling, and authentic connection to make your world a better place.
are you ready to be more beluga?
We've built Beluga to be a company that’s innovative, human-centred, and most importantly - fun. We want our clients to get excited about the possibilities we can create together. Whether it’s transforming your team through Beluga Learning or helping you crush it online with Beluga Digital, we’re here to bring your vision to life in ways that are creative, impactful, and good for the planet.
So, are you ready to be more Beluga? 🐳 We’d love to hear from you, collaborate, and help your business grow while doing some good for the world along the way. Let’s chat!
P.S. Drop us a follow on our LinkedIn page and check out our introductory trailer.
