Tag Archives: Education

EQT Consortium Completes Acquisition of Nord Anglia Education

eqt

Avenues New York - NAE

  • Expanded shareholder group, led by global investors including Neuberger Berman Private Markets, CPP Investments, CF Alba and Dubai Holding, brings deep expertise and long-term capital to support Nord Anglia’s continued expansion and innovation in premium education
  • USD 14.5 billion transaction reflects Nord Anglia’s leadership in delivering world-class education and its position as a premier global institution
  • The depth and diversity of global financial asset managers and institutions in Nord Anglia’s expanded shareholder base enhance its long-term resilience, introduce fresh strategic capital and create new pathways for innovation and growth

LONDON – March 20, 2025 – EQT, as part of a global consortium of premier institutional investors including Neuberger Berman Private Markets, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”), Corporación Financiera Alba, S.A. (“CF Alba”) and Dubai Holding Investments (“Dubai Holding”) (collectively the “Consortium”), today announced the successful completion of the Consortium’s acquisition of Nord Anglia Education (“Nord Anglia” or the “Company”), valuing the business at USD 14.5 billion.

This transaction marks a significant milestone in Nord Anglia’s evolution as a global leader in private international education. Operating over 80 schools in 33 countries, Nord Anglia educates more than 90,000 students from ages 2 to 18.  Its students consistently achieve excellent academic results, with Year 12 graduates frequently accepted into the world’s top 100 universities. Central to Nord Anglia’s educational philosophy is its personalized learning approach, where classroom teaching is tailored to each student’s unique learning style.

Alongside EQT, Neuberger Berman Private Markets, CPP Investments, CF Alba and Dubai Holding, the completion of Nord Anglia’s acquisition also introduces a distinguished group of global financial asset managers or institutions which significantly broadens and strengthens the Company’s ownership structure. This group includes sovereign wealth funds, insurers, and family offices across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, which not only enhances Nord Anglia’s long-term stability as a private company but also brings new strategic perspectives, resources, and capital to drive its continued growth. The strong momentum and commitment from these investors reflect the exceptional quality of the organization and confidence in its long-term trajectory.

EQT has been a dedicated partner to Nord Anglia since 2008 and further strengthened its commitment in 2017, when CPP Investments joined as an investor. Over this period, EQT has played a central role in strategic M&A, helping Nord Anglia successfully execute more than 21 acquisitions since 2017 that have significantly expanded its footprint and earnings. Additionally, EQT has worked closely with Nord Anglia to invest in digital initiatives, enhancing both the student learning experience and operational efficiencies. Under EQT’s ownership, Nord Anglia has also established an innovative collaboration model with world-renowned institutions, further elevating its reputation for academic excellence. Its partners include UNICEF, Juilliard, MIT, IMG Academy, King’s College London, and Project Zero, a research center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Neuberger Berman, CF Alba, Dubai Holding and other leading global investors now join EQT and CPP Investments to further strengthen Nord Anglia’s position as a sophisticated, globally integrated premium education group. With a commitment to supporting both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the Consortium ensures Nord Anglia remains well-positioned for continued innovation, expansion, and leadership in the evolving global education landscape.

Jean Eric Salata, Chairperson of EQT Asia and Head of Private Capital Asia, said, “EQT is proud to be a long-term partner to Nord Anglia and to continue supporting its evolution as a world-leading premium education platform. This transaction not only delivers a strong outcome and a successful exit for BPEA Private Equity Fund VI but also marks a defining moment for EQT, as we align with a distinguished group of global investors who share a deep commitment to Nord Anglia’s mission. The strength and diversity of this expanded shareholder base will reinforce the company’s long-term stability, provide additional strategic capital, and unlock new opportunities for innovation. We look forward to this next chapter and to seeing Nord Anglia continue to set new benchmarks in academic excellence and global impact.”

Jack Hennessy, Partner at EQT Private Equity, said, “Nord Anglia is an outstanding institution that has set new standards for excellence in global private education. For more than 16 years, we’ve worked closely with the company’s exceptional management team to expand its reach and elevate its academic offering. With the completion of this transaction, we are excited to continue this journey with Neuberger Berman, CPP Investments, CF Alba, Dubai Holding and a world-class group of long-term institutional investors, ensuring Nord Anglia is well-positioned for its next stage of growth.”

Andrew Fitzmaurice, Chief Executive Officer of Nord Anglia Education, added, “We are delighted to partner with some of the world’s most respected investors, who share our commitment to educational excellence. EQT has been an exceptional partner over the years, helping to strengthen our academic programs, invest in research and innovation, and expand our family of schools globally. With the support of our investor group, we are excited about the future and the opportunities this will create to further improve students’ outcomes.”

EQT is investing in Nord Anglia through its BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII.

Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com

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About EQT
EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 269 billion in total assets under management (EUR 136 billion in fee-generating assets under management), within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets. EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

More info: www.eqtgroup.com
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About Nord Anglia Education
As a leading international schools organization, we’re shaping a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate from our schools with everything they need for success, whatever they choose to be or do in life.

Our strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and curricula with cutting-edge technology and facilities, creating learning experiences like no other. Inside and outside of the classroom, we inspire our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

No two children learn the same way, which is why our schools around the world personalize learning to what works best for every student. Inspired by our high-quality teachers, our students achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world’s top universities.

Our Nord Anglia global family includes 80+ day and boarding schools in 33 countries, teaching over 90,000 students from ages 3 to 18. 

To learn more: nordangliaeducation.com.

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First Intuition acquires three more franchises

We are pleased to announce that First Intuition has acquired it’s Cambridge, Leeds and Chelmsford franchises, bringing the number of franchises acquired to six and increasing its learner base by c.3,800 students.

 

First Intuition is an award-winning professional education provider with expert tutors and exceptional pass rates. It offers a full range of accountancy training pathways leading to qualifications and membership of the four main accounting bodies: AAT, CIMA, ACCA and ICAEW.

 

“First Intuition has been steadily consolidating its position as a market leader in professional education,” said Jess French, Apiary Investment Director. “We look forward to supporting the management team as they continue to deliver impressive growth in their business.”

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Apiary-backed LearnPro acquires Infographics

Apiary-backed LearnPro is pleased to announce the acquisition of Infographics, expanding its suite of virtual reality and e-learning software tailored for the UK emergency services sectors.

Roar acquires Infographics

This acquisition enhances the portfolio through the addition of the market-leading FireWatch, FloSuite and Prevent + Protect products, complementing existing software offerings, including XVR Simulation, pdrPro, and learnPro.

The addition of Infographics underscores LearnPro Group’s status as a leading software provider within the global emergency services and critical infrastructure market, while also addressing the growing demand for risk prevention solutions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Infographics to the LearnPro Group,” stated Costi Karayannis, CEO of LearnPro. “This acquisition strengthens our commitment to the UK Fire sector but also enables us to expand our ecosystem of management tools for the global emergency services and critical infrastructure sectors. We believe that the synergy of our combined capabilities will deliver even greater value to our customers.”

Ed Leeming, Investment Manager at Apiary Capital, added, “We are excited to support Costi and the LearnPro team as they drive their expansion strategy. Infographics aligns perfectly with LearnPro, and together, their combined resources will significantly benefit their user base.”

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KKR and Dragoneer Complete Acquisition of Instructure

KKR

Investment to support newly private company’s plans for product innovation and worldwide growth

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Instructure Holdings, Inc. (“Instructure”), a leading learning ecosystem, today announced the close of its acquisition by investment funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Dragoneer, a growth-oriented investor, for $23.60 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at an enterprise value of approximately $4.8 billion. With the completion of the transaction, Instructure’s common stock has ceased trading and the company is no longer listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Instructure is a leading global provider of learning management, education-tech effectiveness and credentialing solutions. The Instructure ecosystem of products enhances the lives and outcomes of students, professional learners and educators. The company has impacted approximately 200 million learners across more than 100 countries and boasts a thriving community of over 1,000 partners. Together with its expansive network of educators, learners and partners, the company is committed to broadening its platform and delivering $1B in revenue by 2028.

“We could not be more excited to begin the next phase of our journey as the mission-critical educational operating system that schools, institutions and companies rely on to improve outcomes for lifelong learners,” said Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure. “Having KKR’s support will help us double down on core markets, scale our global reach at a faster pace and unlock new opportunities as we continue to innovate and enhance Canvas and the Instructure Learning Ecosystem. Together, we expect to build on our position as the education ecosystem that powers learning for a lifetime and turns education into opportunities for all learners globally.”

“Instructure has built a strong reputation as a true leader and partner in the learning community,” said Webster Chua, partner at KKR. “We look forward to working closely with Steve and the team to leverage KKR’s global platform to continue growing and scaling the Instructure ecosystem.”

“Instructure reminds us of those generational vertical software companies with all the key ingredients: strong customer love, mission criticality, and a commitment to product superiority,” said Christian Jensen, Partner at Dragoneer Investment Group. “Together with KKR, we are fully supportive of Instructure’s commitment to having a profound and transformative impact on the global education market.”

ADVISORS

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as the lead financial advisor, Macquarie Capital also acted as a financial advisor to Instructure and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as the legal advisor to Instructure.  Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Moelis & Company LLC and UBS Investment Bank acted as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal advisor to KKR.

ABOUT INSTRUCTURE

Instructure powers the delivery of education globally and provides learners with the rich credentials they need to create opportunities across their lifetimes. Today, the Instructure ecosystem of products enables educators and institutions to elevate student success, amplify the power of teaching, and inspire everyone to learn together. With our global network of learners, educators, partners and customers, we continue to deliver on our vision to be the platform that powers learning for a lifetime and turns that learning into opportunities. We encourage you to discover more at www.instructure.com.

ABOUT KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com.

ABOUT DRAGONEER

Dragoneer Investment Group is a growth-oriented investment firm with over $23 billion under management and a flexible mandate to invest in high-quality businesses in both the public and private markets. For over a decade, Dragoneer has partnered with management teams to grow exceptional companies, characterized by sustainable differentiation and superior economic models. Dragoneer looks to partner with the best businesses globally and has been an investor in companies such as Airbnb, AmWINS, Atlassian, Datadog, Dayforce, Doordash, Duck Creek, Livongo, Nubank, PointClickCare, Procore, ServiceTitan, Slack, Snowflake, Spotify, Square, Tekion, Uber, and others.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements about the potential benefits of the completed acquisition of Instructure Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the potential benefits of the transaction, its business and industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by the Company regarding its financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, all of which are subject to change. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to the Company.

Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including: (i) the Company’s ability to implement its business strategy following completion of the acquisition; (ii) ongoing litigation and potential further litigation relating to the acquisition, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (iii) risks that disruptions from the acquisition will harm the Company’s business, including current plans and operations; (iv) the effect of the announcement of the completion of the acquisition on the Company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; (v) the Company’s ability to retain, hire and integrate skilled personnel including the Company’s senior management team and maintain relationships with key business partners and customers, and others with whom it does business, in light of the acquisition; (vi) risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; (vii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisition; (viii) the impact of adverse general and industry-specific economic and market conditions; (ix) the impact of inflation, rising interest rates, and global conflicts; and (x) risks that the benefits of the acquisition are not realized when and as expected. The Company cautions you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, the Company cannot assure you that the Company will realize the results or developments expected or anticipated or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect the Company or the Company’s operations in the way the Company expects. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

CONTACT:

Instructure:
JP Schuerman
Corporate Communications
(801) 658-7525
jp.schuerman@instructure.com

KKR:
Julia Kosygina or Lauren McCranie
(212) 750-8300

SOURCE Instructure Holdings, Inc.

 

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Stepful Secures $31.5 Million Series B Led by Oak HC/FT to Address U.S. Healthcare Worker Shortage

Oak HC FT

Investment will expand scalable programs and partnerships with healthcare providers, aiming to close critical workforce gaps by 2025

Stepful, the company dedicated to re-imagining healthcare training for allied health professional jobs, today announced it has raised $31.5 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Oak HC/FT with participation from Y Combinator, Reach Capital, AlleyCorp, SemperVirens, Company Ventures, Green Sands, ECMC Education Impact Fund, Intermountain Ventures, and Cedar Pine.

Today, Stepful offers educational training programs for both entry-level positions, including medical assistants, medical admins, and pharmacy technicians, and advanced programs for licensed practical nurses and surgical technicians. Unlike other trade schools, Stepful is an AI-powered learning platform with an accelerated format, lower costs and placement for students who successfully complete the program. To date, the company has seen strong growth in its business, expanding from 50 students in 2021 to more than 30,000 enrollees projected in 2024. With this new funding, Stepful will expand its B2B offering and continue growing its health system partnerships.

Stepful’s platform is designed for working adults, particularly from historically underserved communities, providing virtual instructor-led courses that include live, cohort-based learning sessions and one-on-one coaching for those looking for entry-level positions in hospitals and healthcare settings. Additionally, the program’s bite-sized, asynchronous, interactive learning modules allow students to manage their studies alongside other commitments, while AI-powered feedback offers personalized support and outreach to ensure students don’t fall behind.

“This funding supports our mission to make healthcare training more accessible while addressing the U.S. shortage of healthcare workers,” said Carl Madi, CEO of Stepful. “It enables us to reach more students, ensuring that our graduates can transition into high-demand roles more quickly, grow our practical nursing offerings, and open new schools in key regions. We’re also enhancing our capabilities to better serve healthcare employers by adding tools for screening and vetting, analytics, on-site learning support, and to pursue strategic acquisitions.”

The U.S. healthcare system will face a shortage of 3.2 million allied healthcare workers, nurses, and mental health professionals by 2026, according to the American Hospital Association, which could result in $86 billion in increased expenses and employee burnout. Traditional educational models, such as community colleges and trade schools, often require in-person attendance, have enrollment caps, and are costly—limiting their scalability in addressing these shortages.

Stepful’s approach has yielded industry-leading outcomes, including an 87% NHA CCMA exam pass rate—ten points higher than the national average—and a 75% completion rate. Stepful currently serves 13,000 monthly active students and boasts a network of over 8,000 healthcare partners  where students complete hands-on clinical training.

“Stepful is addressing a significant unmet need to mitigate the health professional labor shortage, and they’re doing it while creating a win-win situation for both students and employers,” said Vig Chandramouli, Partner at Oak HC/FT. “The quality and outcomes of Stepful’s program have proven to be superior to current options with higher graduation rates, certification pass rates, and job placement rates, all at a lower cost. We’re proud to partner with Stepful as they scale their impact.”

As the $28 billion healthcare training market continues to grow amidst labor shortages, Stepful is positioning itself as an end-to-end workforce solution for healthcare employers, adding tools like online training, on-site learning support, and analytics. By collaborating with major healthcare providers like Providence, Ohio State University Physicians, and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Stepful’s growing B2B segment is positioned to help systems directly feed their labor pool with well-trained, skilled workers.

About Stepful

Stepful offers accelerated, affordable training programs for healthcare roles. Through partnerships with healthcare providers, Stepful connects students to job opportunities after certification. Stepful was co-founded by Carl Madi, Tressia Hobeika and Edoardo Serra. For more information, visit Stepful.com.

About Oak HC/FT 

Oak HC/FT is a venture and growth equity firm specializing in investments in fintech and healthcare. Using partnership as a foundation, Oak HC/FT guides companies and founders at every stage, from seed to growth, to create businesses that make a measurable and lasting impact. Founded in 2014, Oak HC/FT has invested in over 85 portfolio companies and has over $5.3 billion in assets under management. Oak HC/FT is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with an office in San Francisco, CA. Follow Oak HC/FT on LinkedIn and X and learn more at https://www.oakhcft.com/.

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CVC Credit and CAPZA support the acquisition of ILERNA

CVC Capital Partners

CVC Credit, the global credit management business of CVC, and CAPZA, a leading player in private investments in European SMEs, are pleased to announce the co-arrangement of a Unitranche financing to support the acquisition of ILERNA by Jacobs Holding.

Founded in 2014, ILERNA is the leading player in the online Vocational Educational Training (VET) market in Spain, offering a broad portfolio of more than 30 fully accredited VET courses across various fields, with a particular emphasis on healthcare and IT, to working professionals seeking to enhance or shift their career.

A pioneer on its market, ILERNA has a physical presence in key regions across Spain, including Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia, and Castilla y León, and serves students across all of Spain through its online offering. It currently trains approximately 46,000 students and employs around 480 staff members.

Over the last three years, the Group has demonstrated impressive growth, growing at a c.25% annual rate. The platform’s success stems from its innovative “learning by doing” methodology, designed to provide practical skills that meet the current demands of employers. It includes a market-leading virtual campus experience with materials specifically designed for online training. Furthermore, ILERNA’s internship program has over 4,300 agreements with leading companies, a strong selling point for candidates.

Through this transaction, Jacobs Holding acquires a majority stake in ILERNA, supported by a financing package co-arranged by CVC Credit and CAPZA, to help the Group enhance its educational programs, expand its curriculum, promote advanced technological tools, and extend its physical footprint.

Quotes

CVC Credit were able to leverage the CVC Network’s breadth and experience of the education sector which, combined with our innovative approach to financial solutions, enabled CVC Credit to be a chosen partner for ILERNA’s future growth.

Rafael Figuera FelizInvestment Director, CVC Credit

Rafael Figuera Feliz, Investment Director, CVC Credit commented: “ILERNA has a proven business model that continues to flourish across Spain, under this new partnership it will be able to accelerate the provision of its in-demand offering to many more prospective students. CVC Credit were able to leverage the CVC Network’s breadth and experience of the education sector which, combined with our innovative approach to financial solutions, enabled CVC Credit to be a chosen partner for ILERNA’s future growth.”

José Tomás Moliner, Head of Spain, CAPZA added: “We are excited to partner with ILERNA and its management team at this pivotal moment in their growth journey. ILERNA has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver high-quality vocational educational courses to its students, and we are confident that this new partnership with Jacobs Holding will enable the Group to strengthen its market-leading position. With our flexible and customized financing solutions, we are thrilled to support the Group in realizing its ambitious growth plan.”

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Oakley Capital agrees sale of Schülerhilfe to LLCP

Oakley

Oakley Capital, a leading pan-European private equity investor, is pleased to announce that Oakley Capital Fund III (‘Fund III’) has agreed to sell its majority stake in Schülerhilfe to Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (“LLCP”). The completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Schülerhilfe is the leading provider of professional tutoring services to primary and secondary school students across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with over 140,000 students across c.1,200 branches. Oakley invested in the business in 2017 alongside education entrepreneur Dieter Werkhausen, building on the Firm’s track record of backing successful education businesses.

In partnership with Oakley, Schülerhilfe has strengthened its position as a provider of tutoring services for K-12 students in its core markets, by focusing on quality in-person tutoring, complemented by an online offering and language courses for adults.

Schulerhilfe CTA

Oakley helped Schülerhilfe pivot its teaching programme to online when Covid lockdowns kept students at home, before enrolments rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

Shutterstock 2413318031

Schülerhilfe’s ongoing investment in online has allowed it to sustain hybrid learning, as well as support new technology initiatives, including the highly successful launch of “Kira”, an online AI learning chatbot.

Meanwhile, Schülerhilfe’s expansion into language courses for adults including on-site, online and B2B, has helped grow its total addressable market. More recently, Oakley has supported Schülerhilfe’s ongoing expansion within DACH, via the acquisition of fit4school in Switzerland, one of the leading tutoring firms in the country with 34 corporate centres. Today, Schülerhilfe is the clear market leader in the DACH region with 720 of its own corporate centres and 431 franchise centres, making it the third largest franchise network in Germany.

Quote Peter Dubens

Schülerhilfe has succeeded by delivering on an ambitious expansion strategy without sacrificing the quality of its tutoring. Under Dieter’s leadership, the business has expanded into new geographies and services, and today is a key partner for students striving for education success.

Peter Dubens

co-Founder and Managing Partner — Oakley Capital

Quote Dieter Werkhausen

At Schülerhilfe we’re proud of our record helping thousands of students each year to improve their grades and get ahead in school. We’ve had a very fruitful partnership with Oakley, and have appreciated their entrepreneurial approach. In particular, we have leveraged their strong M&A track record as well as their expertise in digitisation which together have helped us deliver our strategic goals. Now, we look forward to working with LLCP as we aim to accelerate our growth and reinforce our position as market leader in the DACH region.

Dieter Werkhausen

CEO — Schülerhilfe

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Neuberger Berman Private Markets, EQT and CPP Investments Form Consortium to Acquire Leading International Schools Organization Nord Anglia Education

eqt

The new majority ownership group will help to strengthen Nord Anglia’s mission of delivering world-class education and cultivating the next generation of global leaders and innovators

Transaction values Nord Anglia at USD 14.5 billion, underscoring its leadership in the global education sector

Global institutional investors will diversify Nord Anglia’s shareholder base, bringing long-term support for sustained growth and stability

 

Neuberger Berman Private Markets, EQT, and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”), together with global institutional investors (collectively the “Consortium”), today announced the signing of definitive share purchase agreements in Nord Anglia Education (“Nord Anglia” or the “Company”)for an enterprise value of USD 14.5 billion. Existing owners EQT and CPP Investments will remain shareholders in the Company through a new fund investment and reinvestment, respectively.

Nord Anglia is a leading international schools organization, operating over 80 schools in 33 countries and educating more than 85,000 students from ages 2 to 18. Its students consistently achieve excellent academic results, with Year 12 graduates frequently accepted into the world’s top 100 universities. Central to Nord Anglia’s educational philosophy is its personalized learning approach, where teaching is tailored to each student’s unique learning style. Learning experiences are further enhanced through Nord Anglia’s exclusive global partnerships with distinguished institutions such as UNICEF, MIT, Juilliard, and IMG Academy, alongside the Company’s proprietary digital learning platforms.

The announced agreement to acquire Nord Anglia further extends EQT’s longstanding relationship with the Company, which began with its initial investment in 2008. In 2017, EQT strengthened its commitment by increasing its stake in the Company and welcoming CPP Investments as a partner. EQT and CPP Investments now continue their support of Nord Anglia, joined by Neuberger Berman, and other global institutional investors. EQT is investing in Nord Anglia through its BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII. CPP Investments will reinvest a portion of its stake in support of the acquisition.

Neuberger Berman, as a new strategic partner, will play an integral role in strengthening the Consortium’s commitment to supporting Nord Anglia’s continued growth through both organic and inorganic strategies. Alongside Neuberger Berman, EQT, and CPP Investments will continue their close collaboration with Nord Anglia to guide the Company into its next phase and enhance its ability to deliver world-class education in key global markets.

“Nord Anglia’s extensive track record and unwavering commitment to supporting over 85,000 students worldwide uniquely positions the company for future growth. We are honored to lead a consortium of investors who share our passion for delivering exceptional educational experiences,” said David Stonberg, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman. “We are excited to partner with the EQT team, whose deep industry expertise and proven collaboration with Nord Anglia’s management enhance this investment,” added Jonathan Shofet, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman. “Together with CPP Investments, we aim to support Nord Anglia’s mission of delivering world-class education.”

Jack Hennessy, Partner within the EQT Private Equity advisory team, said, “EQT has had the privilege of partnering with Nord Anglia since 2008, and we’ve developed a deep connection with this exceptional business. Over the years, we’ve witnessed Nord Anglia grow from six schools to more than 80 which today serve more than 85,000 students across the globe. Alongside this growth, we’re proud to have helped elevate teaching excellence through industry-leading partnerships established under our ownership. With today’s announcement, we are thrilled to continue this journey with Neuberger Berman, CPP Investments, and our global institutional co-investors, and support Nord Anglia’s continued success and innovation in the global education space.”

Caitlin Gubbels, Senior Managing Director & Global Head of Private Equity, CPP Investments, said, “Nord Anglia was CPP Investments’ first direct equity investment in the private education sector, and we are proud to have been a partner, alongside EQT, in its growth globally over the years. Our reinvestment allows us to remain committed to Nord Anglia while delivering an attractive return to the CPP Fund. We are highly confident in the growth potential of the sector and look forward to working with new investors.”

Andrew Fitzmaurice, Chief Executive Officer, Nord Anglia Education, said, “Families choose our schools because we help our students gain the academic outcomes, confidence, and life skills they need to succeed in the future. At the heart of our students’ achievements are our high-quality teachers. Our ability to attract and develop outstanding teachers sees us receive over 60 applications for every teaching vacancy, reflecting the strength of our world-class professional learning program and career pathways. Since day one, EQT and CPP Investments have shared our educational philosophy and with the addition of Neuberger Berman, we are further strengthening this successful partnership. Focused on improving students’ outcomes, we will accelerate our research of new teaching and learning practices, curricula innovation, and the growth and development of our global teaching community.”

Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley are serving as lead financial advisors to Nord Anglia, Lazard is serving as private capital advisor to Nord Anglia, and Deutsche Bank and HSBC are serving as financial advisors to Nord Anglia. Latham & Watkins is acting as legal advisor to Nord Anglia. Debevoise & Plimpton and Ropes & Gray are acting as legal advisors to EQT.

With this transaction, BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII is expected to be 80-90 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication) based on target fund size and subject to customary regulatory approvals.

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of BPEA Private Equity Fund VIII will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.

Contacts:

For Neuberger Berman:
Alex Samuelson, +1 212 476 5392, Alexander.Samuelson@NB.com

For EQT:
EQT Press Office, Press@EqtPartners.com

For CPP Investments:
Connie Ling, +852 3959 3476, CLing@CPPIB.com

For Nord Anglia Education:
James Russell, +44 (0) 7770 365437, james.russell@nordanglia.com
Edward Simpkins +44 (0)7947 740551, edward.simpkins@fgsglobal.com

 

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Leeds Equity Acquires OffSec

Spectrum Equity

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2024 – Leeds Equity Partners (“Leeds Equity”) announced today that it has acquired OffSec (the “Company”), the leading provider of continuous cybersecurity workforce development training and professional education for cybersecurity practitioners from Spectrum Equity. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

OffSec has been setting the standard in cybersecurity training for over 15 years, offering practical, hands-on skills development through a proprietary learning platform that includes thousands of hours of content, more than 4,000 labs, and 12 industry-standard certifications. The Company’s certifications are globally recognized by employers and cybersecurity practitioners for their rigor and relevance for the most critical cybersecurity roles.

The acquisition of OffSec builds upon Leeds Equity’s deep experience and investment track record in vertical training and professional development, as well as IT certifications and cybersecurity data and technology solutions.

“The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, and our investment in OffSec reflects our belief that the future of cybersecurity protection depends on ongoing, practical education and preparedness within the workforce. We are proud to partner with the OffSec team as it equips individuals and organizations with the knowledge and skills to combat increasingly sophisticated cyber threats,” said Jacques Galante, Partner of Leeds Equity.

“Leeds Equity has a longstanding track record of successfully partnering with providers of specialized training and education, including strong domain expertise within the cybersecurity sector,” said Ning Wang, Chief Executive Officer of OffSec. “We are thrilled to have them as our partner during this next phase of growth as we continue to expand our enterprise customer relationships and invest in new content, technology, and education solutions for our global community of learners and practitioners.”

“The talent shortage and widening skills gap within cybersecurity are among the most pressing issues facing global enterprises,” said Kevin Malone, Managing Director of Leeds Equity. “We are excited to partner with Ning and the entire OffSec team as they address these urgent challenges, enabling professionals and enterprises to safeguard critical systems.”

Reed Smith served as legal counsel to Leeds Equity Partners and J.P. Morgan served as financial advisor to OffSec.

About Leeds Equity Partners:

Leeds Equity is a New York-based private equity firm dedicated exclusively to partnering with management teams in the education, training, and information services industries (the “Knowledge Industries”). The firm was founded in 1993 and currently manages approximately $5 billion of capital across a broad spectrum of companies within the Knowledge Industries. Leeds Equity seeks to leverage its sector-focused expertise and market insights to create long-term value for its partner companies and investors. For additional information on Leeds Equity Partners, see http://www.leedsequity.com/.

About OffSec:

OffSec is the leading provider of continuous professional and workforce development, training, and education for cybersecurity practitioners empowering individuals and organizations to build cyber resilience and combat cyber threats. OffSec’s distinct pedagogy and practical, hands-on learning help organizations fill the information security talent gap by training teams on today’s most critical skills. OffSec also funds and maintains Kali Linux, the leading operating system for penetration testing, ethical hacking, and network security assessments. For more information, visit https://www.offsec.com/.

The specific companies identified above do not represent all of Spectrum’s investments, and no assumptions should be made that any investments identified were or will be profitable. View the complete list of our portfolio companies. Spectrum is not responsible for the contents of any third party website linked above, and has not confirmed the accuracy of any information provided therein.

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Instructure To Be Acquired By KKR For $4.8 Billion

KKR

Instructure shareholders to receive $23.60 per share in cash; Instructure to become a privately held company upon completion of the transaction

SALT LAKE CITY, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Instructure Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: INST) (“Instructure”), a leading learning ecosystem, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by investment funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm, for $23.60 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at an enterprise value of approximately $4.8 billion. The per-share purchase price represents a premium of 16 percent over Instructure’s unaffected share price of $20.27 as of May 17, 2024, the last trading day prior to media reports regarding a potential transaction.  KKR, with participation from Dragoneer Investment Group, will acquire all outstanding shares, including those shares owned by Instructure’s existing majority owner, Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, which took the company public in 2021.

The Instructure management team, led by CEO Steve Daly, will continue to lead the company in their current roles. KKR will support Instructure as it increases investment in technology and innovation across its leading, global learning platform, including its core Canvas and Parchment products.

“Our leadership team laid out an aggressive go-forward strategy in our investor day presentation earlier this year,” said Daly. “We believe Instructure has a significant growth runway as we focus on core markets, unlocking new opportunities and continuing to build the Instructure Learning Ecosystem. It was immediately apparent that KKR is aligned with our long-term vision and growth strategy and we look forward to working closely with them. Together, we’ll expect to build on our position as the education platform that powers learning for a lifetime and turns education into opportunities for all learners globally.”

Instructure is a leading global provider of learning management, education-tech effectiveness and credentialing solutions. The Instructure ecosystem of products enhances the lives and outcomes of students, professional learners and educators. The company has impacted approximately 200 million learners across more than 100 countries with a thriving community of over 1,000 partners. Together with its expansive network of educators, learners and partners, the company is committed to broadening its platform and delivering $1B in revenue by 2028.

“Given its unique positioning at the center of academic life, Instructure has a distinct opportunity to be a true end-to-end partner to students, teachers and administrators,” said Webster Chua, Partner at KKR. “Instructure has evolved into an expansive platform focused on delivering strong student outcomes under Thoma Bravo’s stewardship. We look forward to working with Steve and the Instructure management team to accelerate growth and continue scaling its global portfolio of products.”

KKR is making its investment in Instructure through its North America Fund XIII.

KKR will support Instructure in creating a broad-based equity ownership program to provide all of the company’s 1,700 employees the opportunity to further participate in the benefits of ownership after the transaction closes. This strategy is based on the belief that team member engagement through ownership is a key driver in building stronger companies. Since 2011, more than 50 KKR portfolio companies have awarded billions of dollars of total equity value to over 100,000 non-senior management employees.

“This transaction is the result of a deliberate and thoughtful process and ultimately a great outcome for all shareholders,” said Holden Spaht, Managing Partner at Thoma Bravo. “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Steve and the Instructure management team to transform the business into a scaled, durable platform and we are excited to watch the next chapter of growth unfold under KKR’s ownership.”

Brian Jaffee, a Partner at Thoma Bravo, added, “Since our initial investment four and a half years ago, it’s been an incredible journey supporting such an important company in the global education technology market. Instructure has evolved into a true platform technology provider and we look forward to watching the KKR team build on the company’s impressive foundation in the years to come.”

TRANSACTION DETAILS

The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the Instructure Board of Directors, is expected to close later this year, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals. In addition to approval by the Instructure Board of Directors, Instructure stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Instructure are expected to approve the transaction by written consent. Once the foregoing written consent has been delivered, no further action by other Instructure stockholders will be required to approve the transaction.

Upon completion of the transaction, Instructure’s common stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Instructure will become a privately held company. The Company will remain headquartered in Salt Lake City.

SECOND QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS   

Instructure plans to publish its second quarter 2024 financial results on August 2, 2024 and will not host a live conference call.

ADVISORS

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as the lead financial advisor, Macquarie Capital also acted as a  financial advisor to Instructure and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as the legal advisor to Instructure.  Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Moelis & Company LLC and UBS Investment Bank acted as financial advisors and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal advisor to KKR.

ABOUT INSTRUCTURE

Instructure (NYSE: INST) powers the delivery of education globally and provides learners with the rich credentials they need to create opportunities across their lifetimes. Today, the Instructure ecosystem of products enables educators and institutions to elevate student success, amplify the power of teaching, and inspire everyone to learn together. With our global network of learners, educators, partners and customers, we continue to deliver on our vision to be the platform that powers learning for a lifetime and turns that learning into opportunities. We encourage you to discover more at www.instructure.com.

ABOUT KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.

ABOUT DRAGONEER

Dragoneer Investment Group is a growth-oriented investment firm with over $23 billion under management and a flexible mandate to invest in high-quality businesses in both the public and private markets. For over a decade, Dragoneer has partnered with management teams growing exceptional companies, characterized by sustainable differentiation and superior economic models. The firm seeks to deliver attractive returns while maintaining a focus on capital preservation and margin of safety. Dragoneer looks to partner with the best businesses globally and has been an investor in companies such as Airbnb, Alibaba, AmWINS, Atlassian, AppFolio, Bytedance, Dayforce, Clearwater Analytics, Datadog, Doordash, Livongo, Nubank, PointClickCare, Procore, Samsara, Slack, Snowflake, Spotify, Uber, among others.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements about the proposed acquisition of Instructure Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company’s current expectations relating to the proposed merger and related transactions.   Company’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business.  You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company.

Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including: (i) the risk that the proposed merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the price of the Company’s shares of common stock; (ii) the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the related merger agreement, including in circumstances requiring the Company to pay a termination fee; (iv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on the Company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; (v) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts the Company’s current plans and operations; (vi) the Company’s ability to retain, hire and integrate skilled personnel including the Company’s senior management team and maintain relationships with key business partners and customers, and others with whom it does business, in light of the proposed transaction; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; (viii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; (ix) the ability to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letters received in connection with the proposed merger; (x) potential litigation relating to the proposed merger that could be instituted against the parties to the proposed merger or their respective directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (xi) the impact of adverse general and industry-specific economic and market conditions; (xii) certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed merger that may impact the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transaction; (xiii) risks caused by delays in upturns or downturns being reflected in the Company’s financial position and results of operations; (xiv) the impact of inflation, rising interest rates, and global conflicts; (xv) uncertainty as to timing of completion of the proposed merger; (xvi) risks that the benefits of the proposed merger are not realized when and as expected; and (xvii) other factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, each filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company cautions you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, the Company cannot assure you that the Company will realize the results or developments expected or anticipated or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect the Company or the Company’s operations in the way the Company expects. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
This communication is being made in respect of the pending merger. The Company will prepare an information statement for its stockholders, containing the information with respect to the proposed merger specified in Schedule 14C promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and describing the pending merger. When completed, a definitive information statement will be mailed or provided to the Company’s stockholders. This press release is not a substitute for the information statement, or any other document, that the Company may file with the SEC or send to its stockholders in connection with the proposed merger.

INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE INFORMATION STATEMENT REGARDING THE PENDING MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PENDING MERGER.

The Company’s stockholders may obtain free copies of the documents the Company files with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website at https://ir.instructure.com under the link “Financials” or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations by e-mail at investors@instructure.com.

NO OFFER
No person has commenced soliciting proxies in connection with the proposed transaction referenced in this press release, and this press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities.

CONTACT

Instructure:
JP Schuerman
Corporate Communications
jp.schuerman@instructure.com

KKR:
Julia Kosygina or Emily Cummings
(212) 750-8300

SOURCE Instructure

 

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