Tag Archives: Education

Francisco Partners Makes Growth Investment in Civitas Learning

Franciso Partners

Backing from leading technology and education investors will accelerate growth and support the further unification of Civitas Learning’s student success solutions

AUSTIN, TEX. — Civitas Learning today announced a significant growth investment from Francisco Partners, alongside current education and impact investors including Rethink Education, SJF Ventures, and Lumina Foundation. The Austin-based company pioneered the use of advanced data science, design thinking, and machine learning to inform initiatives and improve student outcomes.

More than 350 colleges or universities worldwide now use Civitas Learning’s popular cloud-based platform and Student Success Suite to engage and nudge students, guide course planning and class scheduling, and support case management by advisors and faculty. By integrating data from historically disparate sources, institutions can also use the platform to measure the impact of the wide array of student success initiatives across their institutions.

“In the seven years since we launched with our first cohort of partners, the application of advanced analytics for student success has undergone a dramatic evolution, and is now making a profound impact on institutional policy, practice, and student outcomes,” said Charles Thornburgh, Co-Founder of Civitas Learning. “This investment enables our team to continue delivering on the promise of personalized and actionable intelligence for colleges and universities, while supporting the integration required to streamline and deploy our solutions quickly, seamlessly, and at scale.”

One of the nation’s most active growth investors in education technology, Francisco Partners previously led investments in several leading education software companies, including Discovery Education, a leading provider of digital content to K-12 education, and Renaissance, whose popular curriculum and tools are now used in more than one-third of U.S. schools.

“Civitas Learning pioneered the application of data science and machine learning in education in ways that have already changed the trajectory for tens of thousands of students,” said Jonathan Murphy at Francisco Partners. “They are positioned to significantly increase their educational and social impact, and we are excited about partnering with the team to accelerate the company to new levels of growth and impact across higher education.”

About Francisco Partners

Francisco Partners is an investment firm that specializes in technology and technology-enabled services businesses. Since its launch over 19 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised over $14 billion in committed capital and invested in more than 200 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where its deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. For more information, please visit www.franciscopartners.com.

About Civitas Learning

Civitas Learning is a student success intelligence platform leveraging each institution’s unique data to find and distribute the clearest path to improved higher education outcomes. We do this through our leading-edge technology, design thinking, and data science to achieve our goal to help a million more students. Today, Civitas Learning is a strategic partner to more than 350 colleges and universities, serving nearly 8 million students. Together with our growing community of partners, Civitas Learning is making the most of the world’s learning data to graduate a million more students per year by 2025. For more information, please visit www.civitaslearning.com.

Categories: News

Tags:

EQT Credit is the largest lender in a second lien financing to support Jacobs Holding’s acquisition of Cognita

eqt

EQT Credit, through its Mid-Market Credit investment strategy, is pleased to announce that it is the largest lender in a EUR 255 million second lien term loan financing solution to support Jacobs Holding AG’s (“Jacobs”) investment in Cognita (the “Company”).

Launched in 2004, Cognita is a leading global provider of private premium K-12 education services, currently comprising 72 schools in eight countries across Asia, Europe and Latin America. The Company employs 7,000 teaching and support staff, educating over 40,000 students across a diverse range of international, national and bilingual curricula.

Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners’ Credit team, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, commented:

“Cognita is strongly positioned as one of the largest K-12 platforms globally, with a diversified portfolio of high-quality schools that is well invested to support continued growth and has an outstanding management team with a strong performance track record. EQT Credit looks forward to supporting the Company in its future development.”

Nakul Sarin, Director at EQT Partners’ Credit team, Investment Advisor to EQT Mid-Market Credit, added: “EQT is proud to partner with Jacobs and Cognita for the third Mid-Market Credit investment in the education sector. We would like to thank EQT’s Industrial Advisors who, as senior executives in the European and Asian private school sectors, provided key support and insight to the EQT Credit deal team throughout the due diligence process.”

Contacts:
Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, +44 203 372 9424
Nakul Sarin, Director at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, +44 208 432 5420
EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading investment firm with more than EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 28 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com

About EQT Credit
EQT Credit invests through four complementary strategies: Senior Debt, Mid-Market Credit (direct lending), Core Value and Credit Opportunities. Since inception, EQT Credit has invested in excess of EUR 5.5 billion in about 180 companies. EQT Credit’s direct lending strategy seeks to provide flexible, long- term debt capital solutions to medium-sized European businesses, across a wide range of sectors. These businesses may be privately-owned corporates seeking alternative funding to grow or be the subject of private equity-led acquisitions or refinancings.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com/Investment-Strategies/Credit

 

Categories: News

Tags:

Veritas Capital Completes Acquisition of Cambium Learning Group

Veritas Capital

DALLAS, TX. – Cambium Learning® Group, Inc. (“Cambium” or the “Company”), a leading educational technology solutions company committed to helping all students reach their full potential, announced today that it has completed its previously announced sale to certain affiliates of Veritas Capital, a leading private equity investment firm.

The Company also completed its previously announced acquisition of VKIDZ Holdings Inc. (“VKidz”), an award winning edtech company dedicated to helping deliver the best education to students using digital solutions.

“We are excited to welcome the Cambium management team and employees and look forward to supporting their many growth opportunities ahead,” said Ramzi Musallam, CEO and Managing Partner of Veritas Capital. “The education technology space is a key focus area for Veritas, and we believe our partnership with Cambium will accelerate the company’s mission of improving outcomes for districts, educators, students and parents.”

John Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Veritas Capital as we embark on the next chapter of our long-term growth. I am proud of the transformation we have accomplished at Cambium as we continue to improve our product suite in terms of technology, efficacy, and engagement. We look forward to helping even more students with the addition of VKidz.”

“It has been our pleasure to work with John and the world-class team at Cambium,” said David Bainbridge, Managing Director of Veronis Suhler Stevenson (“VSS”), an affiliate of the former majority stockholder of the Company. “Since our investment, we have partnered with management to invest in new technology, execute strategic acquisitions, and implement initiatives to accelerate the Company’s growth, and are proud of the progress the Company has made in transitioning to a digital subscription business. We thank Cambium’s leadership and employees for their tremendous efforts and collaboration over the years and wish them well in their next phase of growth.”

Cambium Learning® Group’s stock will cease trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ABCD effective today.

Macquarie Capital acted as the Company’s financial advisor and Lowenstein Sandler LLP acted as the Company’s legal counsel in connection with the transactions.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP acted as Veritas Capital’s legal counsel in connection with the transactions.

About Cambium Learning Group

Cambium Learning® Group, Inc. is an award-winning educational technology solutions leader dedicated to helping all students reach their potential through individualized and differentiated instruction. Using a research-based, personalized approach, Cambium Learning Group, Inc. delivers SaaS resources and instructional products that engage students and support teachers in fun, positive, safe and scalable environments. These solutions are provided through Learning A-Z® (online differentiated instruction for elementary school reading, writing and science), ExploreLearning® (online interactive math and science simulations and a math fact fluency solution) and Voyager Sopris Learning® (blended solutions that accelerate struggling learners to achieve in literacy and math and professional development for teachers). We believe that every student has unlimited potential, that teachers matter, and that data, instruction, and practice are the keys to success in the classroom and beyond. Come learn with us at www.cambiumlearning.com.

About Veritas Capital

Veritas Capital is a leading private equity firm that invests in companies that provide critical products and services, primarily technology and technology-enabled solutions, to government and commercial customers worldwide, including those operating in the aerospace & defense, healthcare, technology, national security, communications, energy, government services and education industries. Veritas seeks to create value by strategically transforming the companies in which it invests through organic and inorganic means. For more information on Veritas Capital and its current and past investments, visit www.veritascapital.com.

About VSS

Veronis Suhler Stevenson (www.vss.com) is a private investment firm that invests in the information, education, healthcare, and tech-enabled business services industries.  VSS provides capital for growth financings, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions and buyouts to lower middle market companies and management teams with the goal of building companies organically as well as through a focused add-on acquisition program.  VSS makes privately-negotiated investments across the capital structure and invests in situations requiring control or non-control equity, mezzanine securities and structured equity securities.

Media Contacts:

Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
Barbara Benson
investorrelations@cambiumlearning.com

or

Jody Burfening/Carolyn Capaccio
LHA
212.838.3777
ccapaccio@lhai.com

Veritas Capital
Andrew Cole/David Millar/Julie Rudnick
Sard Verbinnen & Co
212.687.8080
VeritasCapital-SVC@sardverb.com

Categories: News

Tags:

NPM CAPITAL sells educational service provider IDDINK GROUP to SANOMA LEARNING

NPM Capital

On 11 December 2018, Sanoma Learning announced its intention to acquire the educational service provider Iddink Group (‘Iddink’) from its current owner, NPM Capital. The acquisition comprises all parts of the group in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. After the acquisition, Malmberg and Iddink Group will collaboratively develop integrated digital solutions to improve and personalise secondary and vocational education. The intended acquisition is subject to approval from the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) and the works council of Iddink Group.

Iddink Group is best known as a distributor of learning tools and as the developer of the widely used student information systems Magister and Eduarte. In recent years, Iddink Group has built a strong position as a supplier of digital learning platforms. Finnish company Sanoma Learning is the owner of leading educational publishers in several different countries, including Malmberg in the Netherlands and VAN IN in Belgium.

NPM Capital acquired Iddink Group in 2014. Bart Coopmans, Managing Director of NPM Capital, said in a brief explanation about the intended sale: ‘From 2014 onwards we have supported Iddink in its ambition to grow and its digital transition, with a shared mission to help improve the education landscape. We are convinced that the company will be able to further accelerate its successful digital strategy under ownership of a strong strategic shareholder such as Sanoma Learning.’

 

Collaboration for the sake of better education

The acquisition of Iddink Group will enable Sanoma Learning to create the most user-friendly and inspirational digital learning solutions in collaboration with their intended users in the education sector, thereby allowing schools to make a breakthrough in personalised learning methods. Of course Iddink Group will continue its close collaboration with all publishers and its solutions and platforms will remain available across the market. The companies will operate as separate operational companies, whose non-exclusive collaboration remains open to all other providers of content and platforms.

 

History, experience and vision

Malmberg (established in 1885) and Iddink (established in 1922) share a long history and a common vision on the future of education. John Martin, CEO of Sanoma Learning, believes the two will complement each other well: ‘We offer tailored solutions for students and aim to unburden schools. We complement each other in the development of educational methods, platforms and services. We share a common goal: to offer the best personalised and affordable educational solutions.’

Malmberg and Iddink Group have been working together for many years, with developments in digital technology leading to an increasing amount of overlap in their services. ‘I am enthusiastic about the fact that we will now be able to really offer educational solutions that meet the needs of modern education,’ said Wijnand Spring in ’t Veld, CEO of Iddink Group. ‘Malmberg, VAN IN and Iddink Group will continue their independent operations in the Dutch and Flemish market, each with their own specific portfolio of products and services. By lowering the thresholds between publisher and service provider we can optimally address the wishes of teachers, school managers, students and their parents.’

 

About Sanoma Learning

Sanoma Learning is one of Europe’s leading learning companies. It supports over a million teachers in their efforts to enable every student to fully develop his or her talents. With over 1,400 employees in companies in the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Finland and Sweden, net sales totalled over €300 million in 2017. Sanoma Learning is a subsidiary of Sanoma Corporation, the Finnish learning and media company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. In the Netherlands, Sanoma’s best-known subsidiary is Sanoma Media Netherlands, publisher of titles such as NU.nl, Donald Duck and Libelle.

 

About Iddink Group

Iddink Group operates in educational services in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. Through its three brands Iddink, Eduarte and Magister it offers digital learning environments, apps, and advanced learning tools and solutions that enable over two million users every day to develop their talents in a personalised manner. Also part of the Iddink Group is The Implementation Group (TIG), the leading business intelligence specialist for the education sector. The company employs over 300 people, more than half of the employees working in educational technology.

Categories: News

Tags:

Midlothian Capital Partners acquires PGL in £467m deal

Midlothian

London, 26 October, 2018

Midlothian Capital Partners (“MCP”) and a consortium of investors have agreed to acquire HB Education Limited (“HB Education”) – the holding company for PGL – for a value of £467 million.

HB Education is the UK’s leading outdoor education and study travel group. The market leading company provides residential adventure and study trips for schools, youth organisations and young people through the PGL brand, along with educational travel tours for schools and further/higher education students through NST, EST and Studylink. In addition, Travelplus (Germany) offers language travel and gap year experiences.

The vendor was Cox & Kings, the longest established travel company in the world.

This is Midlothian’s third consumer sector deal in the past two years following the £210m acquisition of Dobbies Garden Centres from Tesco in 2016 and the £110m purchase of Park Leisure, the holiday home operator, in 2017.

MCP received financing support through funds managed by Ares Management Ltd. The existing HB Education management team will stay in post and plan to expand the business both in the UK and internationally. It currently owns 26 Regional Activity Centres in the UK, France, Spain and Australia.

The company was founded in the late 1950’s by Peter Gordon Lawrence, initially providing canoe trips on the River Wye.  In 2007 it was acquired by Holidaybreak plc and merged with NST to create the leading experiential learning programme business in the UK. It was acquired by Cox & Kings in 2011.

Midlothian’s Neil Currie is Chairman-designate of HB Education. He said:

“HB Education is an industry-leading operator within both the residential outdoor activity and educational travel sectors. PGL is a much-loved brand among teachers and students and has created lasting, happy memories – including many among our own families.

We are delighted that the existing management team, led by CEO John Firth and CFO Peter Churchus, have agreed to remain with the company and partner with us. They have led HB Education impressively through its most successful growth period and their focus on customer satisfaction and team culture is a key reason for our interest in the group.”

Andrew Bracey of MCP, said:

“This transaction follows our recent acquisitions of Dobbies Garden Centres and Park Leisure and further demonstrates the strength of our network and operating model, as well as our ability to build close relationships with principals. PGL/HB Education adds another highly relevant and customer-focused business to our portfolio – crucial attributes within a rapidly changing consumer sector.”

Aidan Clegg of MCP, said:

“Cox & Kings have been excellent owners of the company, a pleasure to deal with and we look forward to continuing our relationship following the transaction.”

John Firth CEO of HB Education, said:

“We are delighted that MCP has been chosen as the next owner of our company. We feel that MCP’s values align strongly with those of our staff and customers and we look forward to partnering with them as we open a new chapter in our long history of excellence and growth.”

Mike Dennis, Co-Head European Credit at Ares, said:

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with MCP and HB Education on this transaction. This is our third transaction with MCP and based on their significant experience in related sectors through their existing portfolio investments, we are confident that MCP represents a strong and appropriate partner for the company as it enters the next phase of its development”

Peter Kerkar, Group CEO of C&K, said:

“We are delighted that the education business has found a home with Midlothian as we are certain that they will continue to invest and develop the education business.”

Advisers to MCP include: Rothschild (financial), Slaughter and May (legal), and EY (accounting and tax).

Advisors to Cox & Kings include: Eversheds Sutherland (legal) and Baird (financial) and Axis Capital

Advisers to Ares include: Dechert LLP (legal)

ENDS

Contact:

Montfort Communications

Nick Miles 07739 701634

James Olley 07974 982302

 

About Midlothian Capital Partners

Midlothian Capital Partners is a consumer-focused investment company. The three founders of MCP (Andrew Bracey, Aidan Clegg and Neil Currie) have more than 70 years combined experience in consumer facing businesses in corporate finance, private equity, research and business management. The three founders will all join the board of HB Education.

About Ares Management, L.P.

Ares Management, L.P. is a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $121.4 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2018 and 18 offices in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Since its inception in 1997, Ares has adhered to a disciplined investment philosophy that focuses on delivering strong risk-adjusted investment returns throughout market cycles. Ares believes each of its three distinct but complementary investment groups in Credit, Private Equity and Real Estate is a market leader based on assets under management and investment performance. Ares was built upon the fundamental principle that each group benefits from being part of the greater whole. For more information, visit www.aresmgmt.com.

Categories: News

Tags:

Onex Completes Investment in PowerSchool –

Onex

Toronto, August 1, 2018 – Onex Corporation (“Onex”) (TSX: ONEX) today announced it has
completed an investment in PowerSchool Group LLC (“PowerSchool”), the leading education
technology platform for K-12 schools. Vista Equity Partners is an equal equity partner with
Onex. Onex’ investment was made by Onex Partners IV, its $5.7 billion fund.

About Onex
Onex is one of the oldest and most successful private equity firms. Through its Onex Partners
and ONCAP private equity funds, Onex acquires and builds high-quality businesses in
partnership with talented management teams. At Onex Credit, Onex manages and invests in
leveraged loans, collateralized loan obligations and other credit securities. Onex has more than
$32 billion of assets under management, including $6.7 billion of Onex proprietary capital, in
private equity and credit securities. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and
London, Onex and the team are collectively the largest investors across Onex’ platforms.
Onex’ businesses have assets of $49 billion, generate annual revenues of $31 billion and employ
approximately 207,000 people worldwide. Onex shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the stock symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at
www.onex.com. Onex’ security filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s
current expectations and are subject to known and unknown uncertainties and risks, which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking
statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events
or otherwise.

For further information:
Emilie Blouin
Director, Investor Relations
Tel: 416.362.7711

Categories: News

Tags:

Altor enters into partnership with Gnist

Altor

On May 1st, Altor Fund IV (“Altor”) signed an agreement to enter into a partnership and acquire a majority of the Norwegian preschool chain Gnist Barnehager AS (“Gnist”) from founders and owners Kjersti and Bjørn Grønmyr. Kjersti and Bjørn will continue to stay active and own a minority stake in the company.

Gnist is a preschool chain with a unique concept focusing on a systematic approach to operations, supported by good practices. This ensures high and consistent quality in all Gnist preschools, with focus on the child’s individual needs and close cooperation with highly satisfied parents. The approach ensures that each child is given individual attention, follow-up and feels included in order to enable them to learn and grow at their own pace. Gnist Barnehager currently owns 17 preschools in Møre & Romsdal, Trøndelag and Hordaland.

”We are proud to enter into this partnership with Kjersti and Bjørn,“ says Maria Tallaksen, Partner at Altor. “We are impressed with Gnist, their employees and their approach and we are excited that Kjersti and Bjørn will stay on to develop Gnist Barnehager further,” Maria Tallaksen continues.

”In Altor we have found a partner that will uphold our core values,” says founder and manager Kjersti Grønmyr. “We will continue to be engaged, competent, efficient and innovative and through this ensure that each child has a caring, safe and developing time at our preschools,” Kjersti Grønmyr continues.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory requirements and approvals.

For more information, please contact:
Børre Andreassen, Head of Communication at Gnist, Tel: +47 92 04 91 20
Maria Tallaksen, Partner at Altor, Tel: +47 90 16 88 73

About Altor
Since inception, the family of Altor funds has raised some EUR 5.8 billion in total commitments. The funds have invested in excess of EUR 3.8 billion in more than 40 companies. The investments have been made in medium sized Nordic companies with the aim to create value through growth initiatives and operational improvements. Among current and past investments are Lindorff, Helly Hansen, Carnegie, Spectrum, EWOS, Dustin, Rossignol, S Banken og SATS ELIXIA. For more information visit altor.com.

About Gnist Barnehager
Gnist Barnehager is a chain of privately owned preschools located in Hordaland, Møre and Romsdal and Trøndelag. The chain opened their preschool in 2004 under the name Grønmyr Barnehage, the name was changed to Gnist Barnehager in 2014. The chain currently comprises 17 preschools, with 500 employees and approximately 2000 children enrolled, with plans to develop the concept in the rest of Norway.

Categories: News

Tags:

EQT Credit completes financing to leading premium school group Inspired

eqt

EQT Credit, through its Mid-Market Credit investment strategy, today announces that it has provided EUR 115 million of financing to support Inspired’s (the “Company”) acquisition strategy.

Inspired is a leading global operator of over 30 premium schools in Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The Company has grown rapidly by building new schools and acquiring existing successful ones around the world and currently educates over 24,000 students between the ages of 1 and 18.

Inspired was founded by Nadim M. Nsouli, Chairman and controlling shareholder. Additional shareholders include TA Associates, Oakley Capital, the Oppenheimer family, the Mansour Group, Genesis Capital and Graeme Crawford (founder of Reddam House).

Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners’ Credit team, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, commented: “Inspired has rapidly developed into one of the largest international premium K-12 platforms and we have been impressed by the high-quality portfolio of schools. Inspired is led by an ambitious and driven management team, and we are pleased that EQT Credit has been able to provide a financing solution to suit the requirements of the Company and its shareholders”.

Nadim Nsouli, Founder and Chairman of Inspired, commented: “We are pleased to team up with EQT Credit as we continue to acquire some of the leading premium schools around the world. Inspired has an ambitious growth plan driven by an entrepreneurial team and supported by world class educators. EQT Credit’s support will be greatly valued in the coming years.”

Contacts:
Paul Johnson, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, +44 207 430 5554
Nakul Sarin, Director at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT Credit, +44 755 128 9396
EQT Press Office, +46 8 506 55 334, press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 38 billion in raised capital across 25 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com

About EQT Credit
EQT Credit invests through three complementary strategies: senior debt, Mid-Market Credit (direct lending) and credit opportunities. Since inception, EQT Credit has invested approximately EUR 4.0 billion in 150 companies. EQT Credit’s direct lending strategy seeks to provide flexible, long-term debt capital solutions to medium-sized European businesses, across a wide range of sectors. These businesses may be privately-owned corporates seeking alternative funding to grow or be the subject of private equity-led acquisitions or refinancings.

For more information: www.eqtpartners.com/Investment-Strategies/Credit

About Inspired
Inspired is a leading premium schools group operating in Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America educating over 24,000 students across a global network of over 30 schools in 10 countries. Inspired offers a fresh and contemporary approach to education by re-evaluating traditional teaching methods and curriculums, and creating a more dynamic, relevant and powerful educational model.

For more information: www.inspirededu.co.uk

 

Categories: News

Tags:

AURELIUS successfully closes the Studienkreis Group exit

Aurelius

  • Selling price EUR 71.7 million
  • Multiple of capital employed of 11.6x
  • Significant increase in revenues and profitability after successful realignment by AURELIUS following acquisition in 2013
  • Record dividend for 2017 of EUR 5.00 per share

Munich, 21 December 2017 – As of 20 December 2017, AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) successfully completed the sale of its portfolio company Studienkreis to IK Small Cap I Fund, a fund advised by the pan-European private equity firm IK Investment Partners. The selling price is EUR 71.7 million, with a multiple of capital employed of 11.6x. Studienkreis Group is already the third very successful exit by AURELIUS in 2017.

Significant increase in revenues and profitability after successful realignment by AURELIUS following acquisition in 2013

Since the acquisition of Studienkreis Group from Franz Cornelsen Bildungsgruppe in 2013, AURELIUS established the company as clear No. 2 in the tutoring market with roughly 1,000 locations in the German-speaking countries and roughly 60,000 students. During the time with AURELIUS, more than 140 new locations were opened or acquired from franchise partners; to this end, a seven-digit amount was invested in Studienkreis every year. Furthermore, an innovative, integrated online programme was developed and established. Besides contacting customers through targeted online marketing, tailored tutoring services are offered on the Internet. The programme also features its own Studienkreis app.

On the basis of these measures, revenues increased by over 20 percent and EBITDA more than quintupled under AURELIUS ownership.

Record year allows for a dividend increase to EUR 5 per share

“2017 was a very eventful but primarily also extremely successful year for AURELIUS. We successfully exited several realigned companies and acquired seven new companies”, says Dirk Markus, CEO of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities. “As a result, our shareholders can also benefit from a record dividend. The dividend proposed by the Executive Board provides for a 25 percent increase in the overall dividend per share compared with the prior-year figure from EUR 4.00 to EUR 5.00. Measured in terms of the current return of almost 9 percent, AURELIUS is at the top of the league table in terms of German dividend-bearing shares.”

Categories: News

Tags:

Eurazeo and Primavera Capital Group complete acquisition of Worldstrides

Eurazeo

Eurazeo, a leading global investment company listed in Paris, in partnership with Primavera Capital Group, a major China-based investment firm, has announced the completion of the acquisition of WorldStrides, a premier experiential education provider serving students of all ages. The partnership will accelerate WorldStrides’ global expansion and growth through program diversification and investment in sales and marketing, furthering the company’s 50+ year mission to ignite personal growth for students through educational travel and study abroad.

Eurazeo and Primavera Capital Group reached an agreement in November 2017 to purchase the company. Eurazeo’s total investment is $469 million, representing a majority equity stake of approximately 80%.

WorldStrides reported over $580m in Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA

1margin of 13% in the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2017.

 

About WorldStrides

WorIdStrides, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., is the largest educational student travel company and study abroad organization in the United States. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C., and has grown to provide educational programs for more than 400,000 students annually from more than 7,000 universities and K12 schools to over 100 countries around the world. The organization’s full suite of programs is tuned to learners at stages from elementary through post-graduate levels, and feature specializations like performing arts, sports and study abroad.

About Eurazeo

With a diversified portfolio of approximately ~€7 billion in assets under management, of which €1 billion is from third parties, Eurazeo is a leading global investment company with offices in Paris and Luxembourg, New York, Shanghai and Sao Paolo. Its purpose and mission is to identify, accelerate and enhance the transformation potential of the companies in which it invests. The firm covers most private equity segments through its five business divisions – Eurazeo Capital, Eurazeo Croissance, Eurazeo PME, Eurazeo Patrimoine and Eurazeo Brands. Its solid institutional and family shareholder base, robust financial structure free of structural debt, and flexible investment horizon enable Eurazeo to support its companies over the long term. As a global long-term shareholder, the firm offers deep sector expertise, a gateway to global markets, and a stable foothold for transformational growth to the companies it supports.

Eurazeo is listed on Euronext Paris.

ISIN: FR0000121121

Bloomberg: RF FP -Reuters: EURA.PA 1

Reflects the cash collected for trips not yet departed and the approximate costs for those trips.

 

About Primavera Capital Group

Primavera Capital Group is a China-based investment management firm. Founded by Dr. Fred Hu, a renowned economist and prominent investor, and formerly a partner and Chairman of Greater China at Goldman Sachs Group, the firm’s investment team has over 30 outstanding professionals with global M&A and capital market experience, strong industry expertise, deep local knowledge, and a unique network of relationships with policy makers, leading CEOs and influential entrepreneurs. Primavera employs a flexible investment strategy of control/buy-outs, growth capital and cross-border transactions. Primavera’s investments capitalize on China’s emergence as the world’s biggest consumer market. The firm targets investments in the financial services, consumer, education, health care, and TMT sectors, where Primavera has significant expertise and experience. Primavera has built a high -quality portfolio consisting of leading companies in some of the world’s fastest – growing and most innovative industries.

 

Categories: News

Tags: