K-12 Dealmaking: International Private School Provider Receives $1 Billion
The New York-based private equity firm Stonepeak is investing more than $1 billion (€1 billion) in Inspired Education Group, which operates private schools in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The minority equity investment will allow Stonepeak to develop new school campuses and expand to other international markets, the firm said in an announcement.
“We believe there is a vast need for investment in essential social infrastructure that supports innovation and productivity around the world and view education as a critical part of the equation,” said Stonepeak Senior Managing Director James Wyper in a statement.
Other investors in Inspired Education, which was founded in 2013, include, GIC, TA Associates, and the Oppenheimer and Mansour family offices.
Inspired Education reports operating more than 70 schools in 20 countries which serve more than 55,000 students.
K-12 cyber safety provider acquires parent controls. Linewize, a cyber safety management system for schools, acquired parent controls provider, Qustodio, for $52 million.
The acquisition, which included 100 percent of Qustodio’s shares and subsidiaries, will allow Linewize to “further its vision of delivering an all-encompassing student safety ecosystem,” according to the announcement.
Qustodio, based in Spain and founded in 2012, offers cross-platform technology designed to help students, parents, and educators balance screen time, block harmful content, and promote healthier online activity.
This is the fourth major acquisition for Linewize, and parent company Family Zone, this year. In March, the company acquired a web filter and firewall dedicated to educators, Cipafilter.
Linewize reports serving more than 11 million students globally.
U.S.-based early learning provider expands to Australia. Early learning and child care provider Bright Horizons Family Solutions acquired Australian early education company Only About Children for $320 million.
Bright Horizons bought the business from private equity giant Bain Capital, which acquired Only About Children when it was about a third of its current size in 2016.
Only About Children, founded in 2002, now reports that it has about 75 centers across Australia.
The deal marks Bright Horizon’s entry into the Australian childcare market. The company currently reports around 1,000 centers in the U.S., U.K., and India.
Bright Horizons is paying $300 million upfront and another $150 million in 18 months.
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