Acquisitions in the Education & EdTech Sector in 2025

Acquisitions in the Education and Edtech Sectors in 2025

The following is a summary of mergers and acquisitions transactions expected in the education and edtech sectors in 2025. This article will be updated every two weeks as we work with more clients and learn of other deals in the sector.

The education and edtech sectors experienced a slow start in 2024. Many smaller deals in 2024 fell apart during due diligence. Rising interest rates created anxiety around borrowing costs caused buyers to require a higher return on their investment and depressed valuations.

Investors were still recovering from the bad decisions they made during the COVID pandemic. Most EdTech investors have adopted a more cautious approach after making investments at inflated valuations during the COVID era. Post-COVID, many segments of the education sector have been shaken up due to increased regulation of for-profit Title IV vocational colleges and concerns about the expiration of ESSER funds.

As a result, valuations for small, medium, and large edtech companies have returned to pre-COVID levels, although they are still higher than valuations for traditional businesses. The average small and medium-sized edtech company is valued at 2x to 3x trailing twelve-month annual recurring revenue.

Reported Acquisitions in the Education and Edtech Sectors in 2025

Below is a summary of the mergers and acquisitions transactions in the education and edtech sectors in 2025. This is not an exhaustive list, as many smaller transactions are never announced. This list represents the deals we have learned about through our network or that we are directly involved in, and will be updated every two weeks.

In October,

• Learning Pool, a UK-based digital learning provider, acquired WorkRamp to strengthen its presence and market reach in the United States.
• K12 Coalition, a US-based educator support solutions provider, acquired Keys to Literacy and Professional Development Institute to drive positive student outcomes.
• OWNA, an Australian childcare management platform, acquired Juice Technologies to expand its offerings in the early childcare space.
• Imagine Learning, the largest national provider of digital-first curriculum solutions, acquired EarlyBird, a dyslexia screener and early literacy assessment tool for students in PreK–Grade 3.

In September,

• Ignite Reading, a virtual tutoring program, acquired Esteam to enhance its services and provide better support for students struggling with reading.
• QGenda, a healthcare workforce management company, announced the acquisition of New Innovations, the industry’s largest provider of residency management software. New Innovations’ specialized software is used by hospitals and health systems to manage all aspects of their physician graduate medical education programs. This acquisition expands QGenda’s existing healthcare workforce management solution to include the management of the resident and fellow training lifecycle, including onboarding, evaluations, scheduling and value-based reimbursement strategies.

In August,

• Sycamore, a US-based school management software company, acquired TuitionEP, a payment solution provider for schools, creating a unified academic, communication, and payment system under one solution.
• Bett and GSV Summit, two major education technology events, announced their merger to form the largest and most influential education innovation community worldwide.
• Greenn, a Brazilian payment platform, has acquired Xgrow, an authoring tool for online learning programs, expanding Green’s reach to include 4M students and to become one of the 4 largest digital education platforms in Brazil.
• Year13, an Australian career prep service provider, has acquired Student Edge, a student assistance platform, to support its expansion in the US.

In July,

• TALi Digital Ltd, a digital health company, has announced the acquisition of You Can Do It! Education (YCDI!), a social-emotional learning program, for $1.34 million. The deal includes an upfront payment of $1.14 million and $200,000 in installments over 24 months.
• Learnbeat, a Dutch learning platform provider, has acquired Anywyse for its AI technology to provide more personalized learning opportunities.
• Dukes Education, a UK-based group of schools, acquired Mandoulides Schools to expand into the Greek market.
• Thrive, a UK-based AI-powered online learning platform, acquired Guider, an online mentoring and coaching business.
• Harvest Partners, a US private equity company, acquired The Learning Experience, to expand their operations into Early Childhood Education.
• F-code Inc., a Japanese company, has acquired DEITORA, to focus on digital skills education.
• THI Investments, a UK-based investment firm, has acquired Empowering Learning Group to drive expansion for both its training and staff service in the UK and internationally.
• Hudl, a Lincoln-based company, has acquired both Titan Sports and Balltime to expand its performance tracking and AI analytics capabilities for athletes at all levels, from high schools to professional teams.

In June,

• Unikum has acquired ed tech company StudyBee, which provides modular assessment and insights products integrated with Google Classroom.
• O2B Early Education acquires two North Dakota Bright Futures Learning Centers.
• Wolters Kluwer Health, a global provider of information services and solutions, has acquired IntelliLearn, an Australian company that offers online course solutions for nursing schools.
• Brave Bison, a UK-based digital media company, has acquired MiniMBA, marking its entry into the professional training and EdTech space.

In May,

• Colegium, a Chilean learning platform, acquired preschool edtech, KidsBook, to expand its coverage in the early education segment.
• IXL Learning, a US-based EdTech firm, acquired MyTutor to boost AI lesson planning, adaptive exams, and progress tracking.
• IMG Academy acquires college recruiting service SportsRecruits.

In March,

• Pryor Learning, LLC  acquired PeopleKeys, Inc.  to expand Pryor’s capabilities to offer market-leading DISC assessments and benchmarking analytics as part of its training and learning curriculum.
• Niche, a Canadian K-12 and college discovery platform, has acquired Goodkind, a startup that helps colleges and schools connect with prospective students.

In February,

• Commercial Services Group, a UK-based logistics firm, acquired WF Education Group to build marketshare across the UK and France.
• The Riverside Company, a US investment firm, acquired Wall Street Prep (WSP), a financial training provider, to expand its market share in financial training services.
• Sparkrock, a US-based enterprise software provider, acquired School-Day, a leading payment and activity management platform for schools.
• Elsmere Education, which helps higher education institutions manage online programs, merged with HCRC to offer enrollment and retention solutions.
• Dallas-based Barbri Global, which sells bar exam preparation courses acquires legal learning company Quimbee, a platform that provides study guides for law students
• BetterLesson, a K-12 professional learning provider, acquired Always Be Learning (Abl), to enhance its support for school districts with student scheduling and programming.

In January

• Cengage Group, a US-based curriculum resource provider, acquired Visible Body, a provider of interactive 3D models and software for science education.
• Wayable, a Canadian platform specialized in support for international students, acquired Psymood, a mental health and mentorship provider targeted at international students.
• Brightchamps, a Singaporean curriculum resource provider, acquired Edjust, a provider of digital solutions for personalized education. With this acquisition, GSV Ventures-backed Brightchamps has acquired four companies, including Education10x, a financial literacy education platform for children, Schola, a live learning platform for kids, and Metamorphosis Edu, which trains students in skills linked to entrepreneurship.

Factors Driving Deal Activity

• Continued Consolidation: Expect to see continued consolidation in various segments of the edtech market. This will be driven by companies seeking to expand their product offerings, enter new markets, and achieve economies of scale. For example, companies with complementary product offerings might merge to offer more comprehensive solutions.
• Private Equity Activity: Private equity firms will remain active in the education and edtech space. These firms will be looking for companies with strong growth potential and recurring revenue models. We can also expect to see larger deals involving established players in the market, as well as smaller acquisitions of emerging startups.
• Focus on AI and Emerging Technologies: While AI presents an existential risk for some traditional online education companies, businesses that leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to improve learning outcomes will be attractive targets. This includes AI-powered tutoring platforms, adaptive learning systems, and platforms that personalize learning content.
• Continued Emphasis on K-12 and Higher Education: Deals involving K-12 learning solutions, higher education platforms, and workforce development solutions will remain prominent.
• Companies focused on the Skills Gap: Companies that provide upskilling and reskilling are becoming central to education pathways. Work-integrated learning models—internships, apprenticeships, and co-op programs—are gaining traction in the United States, aligning student education with industry needs. Vocational training has emerged as a pragmatic choice for many learners. Collaborations between traditional academic institutions and industries are creating seamless pathways from education to employment, addressing local talent shortages. Governments are incentivizing practical training, making it faster and less expensive for students to enter in-demand jobs.

Additional Factors to Consider

• Valuation Pressure: The valuation of edtech companies may continue to face pressure due to the recent market corrections and ongoing economic uncertainties. Buyers are likely to remain cautious and selective, emphasizing profitability and sustainable growth.
• Impact of ESSER Funds: The expiration of ESSER funds will likely continue to influence K-12 spending, which may impact the strategies of EdTech companies in that space.
• Impact of Byju Bankruptcy: The 2024 bankruptcy of Byju and Prosus writing off it’s investment will likely depress valuations in the edtech sector and create a flood of deals on the market.
• Impact of AI on Education.  While AI presents some exciting opportunities for education, it presents an existential threat for others.  See our article on the impact of AI on the Coding Bootcamp Sector.

About the Author and Jackim Woods & Co.

Rich Jackim is an education industry investment banker, education industry entrepreneur, and former mergers and acquisitions attorney.

For the last 25 years, Rich has been providing boutique investment banking services to middle-market companies in the education sector.

Rich also founded a successful training and certification company called the Exit Planning Institute, which he sold to a private equity group in 2012.

Rich is also the author of the critically acclaimed book, The $10 Trillion Dollar Opportunity: Designing Successful Exit Strategies for Middle Market Businesses.

Jackim Woods & Co offers skilled mergers and acquisitions advisory services to privately owned schools, colleges, and EdTech companies in both sell-side and buy-side transactions. Jackim Woods & Co has arranged over 100 successful transactions, ranging from less than one million to more than eighty million dollars in value.

If you own an education-related business and are interested in exploring your options, I would welcome an opportunity to speak with you. Feel free to contact me at 224-513-5142 or rjackim@jackimwoods.com.

The Future of Coding Bootcamps: How AI is Reshaping the Market

For years, coding bootcamps were seen as a golden ticket into the tech industry. They offered a quick path to marketable skills and lucrative careers. More than 100 of these programs popped up across the U.S., touted as a “no-frills alternative” to traditional college degrees.  However, the landscape is shifting dramatically, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is forcing a fundamental reassessment of the bootcamp model.

The AI Disruption

The primary challenge facing coding bootcamps stems from the way AI is altering the tech job market itself. Tech companies are increasingly leveraging AI tools to automate tasks that were previously handled by entry-level human coders. This has led to what industry insiders now describe as “GPT monkey” roles – positions where employees primarily handle minor tasks while relying on ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools for complex software writing.

This shift has created multiple headwinds for coding bootcamp providers:

Changing Employer Needs:  Employers are now seeking candidates with specialized tech skills, particularly in AI and machine learning, rather than general entry-level coding abilities.

AI as an Education Provider and Bootcamp Competitor:  Generative AI tools have proven to be excellent tutors and learning tools.  Many individuals consider them more accessible and a much lower-cost pathway to acquire basic coding skills, making the traditional bootcamp model less appealing.

Reduced Entry-Level Demand:  The automation of basic coding tasks using AI has significantly reduced the demand for entry-level tech employees, directly impacting the primary market that bootcamps serve.

2U’s Market Exit: A Telling Case Study

The struggles of 2U, a major player in the bootcamp market, is a perfect illustration of these headwinds. In 2019 2U acquired Trilogy Education for $750 million.  Trilogy is an education company that helps set up and run short-term coding programs at university extension schools.  Over the next several years, 2U partnered with 50 colleges and universities to set up and run their coding bootcamps.  However, in December 2024, 2U made what industry observers called a “bombshell announcement” to exit the bootcamp sector entirely.  It’s important to note that they didn’t sell their bootcamp business – they simply shut it down. This suggests their $750 million investment held little or no market value.

This decision followed a stark 23.3% revenue decline in 2U’s Alternative Credential Segment, driven largely by a 40% drop in bootcamp enrollment. As noted by education sector investment banker, Rich Jackim, the business line “was not worth selling, due to either a lack of buyer interest, or a realization that the market value that could be realized in a sale would not be worth the cost and effort to sell it, or possibly both.”

Instead of selling, 2U will write off their $750 million investment in Trilogy and pivot to offering other kinds of microcredentials through edX.org, which it bought for $800 million in 2021. 

The same situation has occurred to dozens of smaller coding bootcamps across the country, including CodeUp in Austin, TX, that was forced to close in January 2024 because enrollment slowed to the point where it could no longer cover its operating costs.  This highly respected bootcamp was forced to close in the middle of an investment banking process to sell the business.

The Reality on the Ground

The challenges extend beyond just market dynamics.  A telling example comes from an EdSurge podcast hosted by Jeff Young that interviewed, Tim Lum, a returning adult student who attempted the bootcamp route in Honolulu.  His experience highlighted common issues with the model: chaotic classroom environments due to widely varying skill levels among students, and the reality that many students essentially teach themselves using the bootcamp’s curriculum.  Lum ultimately decided that a traditional computer science degree was necessary to achieve his career goals, enrolling in a community college before transferring to a four-year university.

Market Implications and Future Opportunities

For boot camp owners and potential buyers, these developments have profound implications:

Reduced Business Value:  Traditional bootcamp businesses face significant downward pressure on valuations.

Fewer Buyers:  The lower enrollment numbers and existential risk from AI has already resulted in fewer buyers willing to enter the coding bootcamp sector.

Lower Value for Students:  The value proposition for students is weakening as AI tools provide alternative learning paths and entry-level coding positions become more automated.

Evolution Required:  Success in the coding bootcamp sector will require owners to make significant changes in the traditional bootcamp model.

However, opportunities exist for bootcamps that are willing to evolve:

Specialized Training:  Programs focusing on advanced skills in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies that are hard to automate could find sustainable market niches.

Microcredential Integration:  Developing shorter, more focused programs that complement rather than replace traditional education.  This could include programs that result in an industry recognized credential or certification, rather than a certificate of completion.

Industry Partnerships:  Closer integration with universities or tech companies could help create more valuable and recognized credentials.

Conclusion

The impact of AI on coding bootcamps marks a significant inflection point in the tech education market. While the traditional bootcamp model faces existential challenges, the underlying need for tech education remains strong – it’s the nature of that education that’s changing.  For investors and bootcamp owners, success will require carefully analyzing these market shifts and adapting to a landscape where specialized skills and AI literacy increasingly dominate the value proposition.

The days of coding bootcamps as a quick alternative to traditional education may be waning, but opportunities remain for those that are willing to evolve their offerings to meet the changing needs of employers and students.

If you are interested in our other articles about coding bootcamps, please read Coding Bootcamp Acquisitions: 2014 to 2022.

About the Author and Jackim Woods & Co.

Rich Jackim is an education industry investment banker, education industry entrepreneur, and former mergers and acquisitions attorney.

For the last 25 years, Rich has been providing boutique investment banking services to middle-market companies in the education sector.

Rich also founded a successful training and certification company called the Exit Planning Institute, which he sold to a private equity group in 2012.

Rich is also the author of the critically acclaimed book, The $10 Trillion Dollar Opportunity: Designing Successful Exit Strategies for Middle Market Businesses.

Jackim Woods & Co offers skilled mergers and acquisitions advisory services to privately owned schools, colleges, and EdTech companies in both sell-side and buy-side transactions.  Jackim Woods & Co has arranged over 100 successful transactions, ranging from less than one million to more than eighty million dollars in value.

If you own an education-related business and are interested in exploring your options, I would welcome an opportunity to speak with you.  Feel free to contact me at 224-513-5142 or rjackim@jackimwoods.com.