K-12 Dealmaking: EVERFI Acquires U.K.-based EdComs, Nearpod Expands Into Higher Ed
Ed-tech company EVERFI reached across the Atlantic for its first acquisition, of EdComs, which brings real-world learning into the classroom. Meanwhile, the student engagement platform Nearpod is moving into the higher education market.
EVERFI expands internationally with the acquisition of UK-based EdComs. EVERFI, Inc., a social impact education technology company, recently announced its first international acquisition with the addition of EdComs, a company specializing in education that it says drives social change and brings real-world learning into the classroom.
London-based EdComs has a client base that includes large technology companies, sports leagues, prominent brands, and trusts and foundations With this acquisition, EVERFI will have a dedicated international presence and an on-site team in London to expand and service global customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and in countries worldwide, according to an announcement.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
“As we thought about international expansion and future opportunities for EVERFI, we wanted to find a company abroad with a proven leadership team, similar education focus, and one that aligned with our portfolio of existing global brands,” said Tom Davidson, the co-founder and CEO of EVERFI in the company’s statement. “EdComs is the perfect fit for EVERFI. Our mission of deploying education to address critical social issues in partnership with a roster of well-known brands directly aligns with the work and client base EdComs has cultivated over the last 25 years.”
EVERFI’s operating platform is a turn-key solution that delivers scalable community engagement education solutions to learners in K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, and workplace environments. The flexible software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform houses a growing catalog of more than 300 courses that are deployed digitally across the U.S. and Canada to more than 3,500 customers including HSBC, Navy SEAL Foundation, and SAP to name a few. EVERFI’s courses cover topics such as anti-bullying, digital wellness, financial literacy, mental health, prescription drug misuse, sexual assault prevention, and more. EVERFI has also developed a number of quantitative metrics to measure knowledge gain, impact, and reach of its programs.
“We were introduced to EVERFI by our joint client, the Premier League and we are delighted to be joining forces,” said Nick Fuller, founder and CEO of EdComs in the joint announcement. “As we worked with EVERFI, a real sense developed that we were like-minded and highly complementary organizations.”
In the last three years, EdComs has been active in more than 100 countries around the world and 93 percent of schools in the U.K. have run an EdComs activity. EdComs serves a number of well-known global organizations including the British Olympic Foundation, English Cricket Board, ICC Cricket World Cup, Public Health England, and the Urban Land Institute. Partners that both companies lead education programs for in the U.K. and the U.S. include National Football League and the Premier League, to name a few. These entities will now be able to work with one company to deploy education at scale internationally.
The EdComs leadership team will remain in place post-acquisition, with no changes for either clients or staff. Fuller will serve as president of EdComs and will continue his role leading the United Kingdom-based team. EVERFI was advised on this transaction by law firm DLA Piper.
Nearpod moves into the higher education market. Student engagement platform Nearpod, which is now used by millions of K-12 students in the U.S., according to the company, has expanded into the college and university market.
All universities will have access to its platform, according to an announcement by the Ft. Laurderdale, Fla.-based company. Nearpod for Higher Education gives instructors one place for content, interactive exercises, and formative assessments while allowing instructors to provide immediate feedback on student outcomes.
Early customers in post-secondary education are Illinois State, Saint Xavier University and Kennesaw State, the company said. The decision to expand came after pilots with universities that the company said produced “proven benefits” in schools of health sciences, business, law, and education.
“This extension into higher education is a natural fit for us and we’re excited to help colleges and universities bring more engagement to learning—especially with the changing demographics of post-secondary learners,” stated Felipe Sommer, co-founder and chief operating officer at Nearpod.
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Thank you SO much for the Nearpod shoutout!