US: K12 diversifies into coding with $165m deal

Higher education

US: Arkansas State and Adtalem discuss partnership for vet school

Arkansas State University and Adtalem Global Education are collaborating to explore the feasibility of creating Arkansas’s first in-state veterinary medical school via a public-private partnership.

Adtalem is a global workforce solutions provider based in Chicago with expertise educating veterinarians to AVMA-accredited standards.

The university’s chancellor Kelly Damphousse said: “The demand for veterinarians is significant as more households enjoy pet ownership, and Arkansas livestock producers have acknowledged a shortage of veterinarians for large animals. This is a concern that our College of Agriculture faculty and others across the region have expressed to us. I am excited to begin the discussion on our campus. We plan to work closely with veterinarians throughout Arkansas as we move forward in the development of this new college.”

Professor of animal science and interim dean of the College of Agriculture, Dr Donald ‘Bud’ Kennedy, added: “From practical experience, we know the need exists for more veterinarians, especially large animal practitioners, across our region and state. With the current resources that Arkansas State can bring to this process, we believe we can have a tremendous positive impact for the veterinarian profession and our agricultural industry.”

Vocational and training skills

US: K12 diversifies into coding with $165m deal

Online education company K12 has acquired coding bootcamp Galvanize for $165 million, expanding its offering beyond high school.

Galvanize, which operates eight campuses across the US and has educated more than 8,000 students, will enable K12 to move into adult learning. The company has traditionally focused on educational programmes from elementary through K12.

K12 chief executive, Nate Davis, said: “This acquisition expands our vision for career education to go beyond high school by developing talent and capabilities for learners of all ages and backgrounds.

“Whether someone is discovering career options, trying to switch fields, honing their job skills, or learning new skills in pursuit of a new opportunity, we want to help ensure all learners have an equal shot at a rewarding career.”

K12, a publicly traded company that sells online education curricula and tools, reported $1.01 billion in revenue in its last fiscal year.

The transaction follows a number of big-ticket deals in the ed tech space last year. In December, private equity firm Thoma Bravo bought ed tech company Instructure for $2 billion.

US: Colibri Group invests in education provider

Colibri Group, an education company that provides online learning to licensed professionals, has invested in Hondros Education Group, a provider of professional education.

Linda Hondros, chief executive of Hondros Education Group, said: “We are excited about two exceptional companies joining forces to become the dominant educator for licensed professionals.”

With this investment, Colibri Group is expanding licensing and professional education both nationally and locally in real estate, mortgage and appraisal, with real estate schools and colleges in Ohio and Arizona, as well as an expanded national online offering.

Tina Lapp, president of Hondros Education Group, said: “We have always focused on expansion through meaningful partnerships, and becoming a part of Colibri Group brings forward the best of both companies to deliver a stronger education offering for our customers and partners. Through combined resources we can continue to invest in best-inclass products, and our customers and partners will now have access to more products, courses and resources. By strategically joining forces, we are better positioned to deliver outstanding quality and service to our customers.”

Colibri Group is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island and is backed by Gridiron Capital. Hondros Education Group is based in Westerville, Ohio.

US: Busuu acquires live video tutoring company

Busuu, a London-based languagelearning platform, has acquired Verbling, a San Francisco, California-headquartered live video tutoring company, for a doubledigit million amount, Finsmes has reported.

Busuu stated that it will provide live video tutoring to its consumer users and corporate clients.

Verbling’s co-founders chief executive Mikael Bernstein and chief technology officer Gustav Rydstedt are joining Busuu, along with the rest of the Verbling staff. Busuu is also opening a new office in Madrid, where the company was founded in 2008 before moving its headquarters to London in 2012.