Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit educational assessment and measurement organization, announced the formation of ETS Strategic Capital, a new unit focused on growing the business “through strategic equity investments, growth partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions,” according to an ETS press release.
ETS Strategic Capital “is actively seeking transactions to establish a global portfolio of innovative education companies that will have both a positive financial and strategic impact.”
The unit currently has five companies in its portfolio: ApplyBoard, Pipplet, Capti, EdAgree and Gradschoolmatch. The companies cover aspects such as international student recruitment, language assessment, K-12 literacy support and graduate student assistance.
“We’ve reached a pivotal point in the ongoing evolution of education — there is a fundamental change in how educational services are delivered, how tools and assessments are structured, and how learners, schools, and companies are engaged and connected,” said Ralph Taylor-Smith, the managing director of ETS Strategic Capital. “With our funding, expertise and experience in education, ETS Strategic Capital is well positioned to help emerging education companies that are addressing these gaps grow and increase their impact, while tapping into new opportunities.”
ETS Strategic Capital will target private equity investments, mainly where proven companies are looking for further growth.