GLOBEDUCATE acquired by WENDEL

Eduservices completed its fifth LBO, bringing in a new pool of minority financial investors led by Amundi PEF, alongside Arkea Capital and BNP Paribas Developpement. The founder and his family retain a strong majority stake (~75%), while the new investors acquire approximately 20%. The group aims to consolidate the market despite regulatory changes in apprenticeship funding.

IEF2I Education has completed a new buy-out led by its founder in partnership with Andera Acto. The transaction was structured as a sponsorless deal, allowing the founder to significantly strengthen her majority control. This strategic shift follows a period of political uncertainty in France regarding apprenticeship subsidies, leading the group to favor a flexible equity solution over a full trade sale. Historical minority shareholders MBO+ and Naxicap Partners have partially exited but reinvested to maintain a minority stake. The financing package, totaling approximately 20 million euros, is predominantly composed of non-dilutive mezzanine instruments with a smaller equity component. The deal is further supported by a senior bank debt arranged by Caisse d’Épargne, with a leverage ratio maintained below three times EBITDA. The new capital will be used to fuel the group’s buy-and-build strategy to expand its range of educational programs and geographic footprint.

A consortium led by Neuberger Berman Private Markets, alongside existing shareholders EQT and CPP Investments, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Nord Anglia Education. The transaction values the company at an enterprise value of $14.5 billion, making it one of the largest deals in the history of the private education sector. The strategic rationale is to strengthen the company's mission of delivering world-class education while accelerating research into new teaching practices and curricula innovation. The new ownership structure provides long-term stability and capital for further international school acquisitions and digital learning platform enhancements.

Cinven has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Domia Group. The transaction was financed through a 165 million euro unitranche facility arranged by Tikehau Capital. The strategic rationale for the deal focuses on accelerating the growth of the Shiva brand and its home-care subsidiary, "Nos Aimés," to capitalize on the increasing demand for elderly and household services in France. The acquisition allows the group to exit its previous ownership cycle with the support of a major international sponsor capable of funding large-scale organic and inorganic expansion. Acadomia will continue to leverage its market-leading position in the tutoring sector to further develop its hybrid and online educational tools. The management team is expected to remain in place to execute the group’s vision of becoming a comprehensive provider of personal services for French households.

AD Education entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Pole Leonard de Vinci. The transaction aims to diversify AD Education into the "Engineering" and "Business" verticals, complementing its historical artistic portfolio. The historical non-profit association managing the schools will evolve into a Foundation focused on social openness and scholarships. AD Education will provide financial backing for international expansion and the massive real estate project (new 18,000 m² campus delivered in 2026).

EQT Infrastructure signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake (between 60% and 70%) in Universidad Europea from Permira. The strategic rationale focuses on treating the university as a social infrastructure asset with stable, long-term growth prospects. EQT plans to support the group by investing in existing infrastructure, establishing new international campuses, and enhancing the digital learning proposition through its specialized technology teams. This deal highlights the increasing appetite of infrastructure funds for the high-end private education sector in Europe.

Manutan acquired 100% of Findel from private equity firm Endless and the management team. This operation marks a successful exit for Endless, which had acquired Findel in 2021 for �30 million. The deal provides Findel with a long-term industrial home, leveraging Manutan's logistical power and European footprint to drive further growth. All 300 employees were retained.

Mediascience completed its fourth LBO, welcoming a new pool of investors led by Arkea Capital, alongside BNP Paribas Developpement and IRD Invest. This transaction marks the exit of Siparex, which had been the majority shareholder since 2012. Simultaneously, Mediascience acquired its competitor Sordalab (EUR13m revenue), creating a group with EUR60m in combined revenue. The financial sponsors invested a joint equity ticket of approximately EUR12 million to hold a large majority of the capital. The deal was initially launched in early 2020 but postponed due to Covid-19 school closures. The financing includes senior debt provided by a banking pool and mezzanine financing (Obligations Remboursables) from Picardie Investissement.

Galileo Global Education, alongside Bpifrance and BioMerieux, acquired a 46.5% stake in EMLyon, facilitating the exit of the previous private equity investor, Qualium Investissement. The Lyon Chamber of Commerce (CCI) remains the majority shareholder with 51%. The transaction included a EUR50 million capital increase, bringing the school's total investment capacity to over EUR100 million. The strategic rationale focuses on the "Confluences 2025" plan, emphasizing international recruitment through Galileo's global network, cross-disciplinary "hybridization" with design and engineering schools, and digital transformation. Under the new governance, Guillaume Pepy (former CEO of SNCF) was appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board, while Isabelle Huault continues as Executive President.

AD Education acquired Groupe Oktogone from its founder. This transaction marks a major diversification for AD Education, adding a strong "Online" vertical to its predominantly "Presential" portfolio. The deal allows the group to offer comprehensive hybrid learning paths. It follows a series of recent acquisitions by AD Education, including IMAAT (2021), Asfored (2022), and the ongoing acquisition of SAE Institute's European activities.