UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA acquired by EQT PARTNERS

Wendel completed the acquisition of approximately 50% of Globeducate from Providence Equity Partners with an investment of EUR625 million in equity. The transaction marks a shift from a majority ownership by Providence to a 50/50 partnership between the two investment firms. The strategic rationale is to support the group's continued double-digit annual revenue growth through organic expansion, new school developments, and a robust pipeline of international acquisitions. This partnership combines Wendel's long-term capital with Providence's deep sector expertise to further professionalize and scale the group globally.

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).

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.

Sanoma acquired Pearson's local K12 learning content businesses in Italy and Germany. This landmark transaction marks Sanoma's entry into the Italian K12 market—one of Europe's largest—and reinforces its position in Germany. The deal was financed through a 4-year term loan facility. Sanoma committed to an additional EUR10 million investment over three years to accelerate the digitalization of the Italian secondary education segment, leveraging its existing pan-European digital platforms.

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.

Five Arrows Principal Investments entered into an exclusivity agreement to acquire a majority stake in Groupe EDH from Quilvest Capital Partners and IK Partners. The transaction marks a new stage in the group's development, with the management team led by Amin Khiari reinvesting significantly to maintain a central role. Historic investors Quilvest and IK also planned to reinvest alongside Five Arrows. This capital reorganization follows an intense cycle of external growth marked by the acquisitions of Institut Cread (interior architecture) and ESEC (cinema). The new partner's ambition is to support the continuation of this consolidation strategy and strengthen the digitalization and international expansion of the group's brands.

Eduservices acquired L'Ecole Francaise, beating out another industrial player and two funds. The founders reinvested to keep a minority stake. This transaction follows an aborted Primary LBO process in 2021 where the target sought a very high valuation. The deal allows Eduservices to complete its offer: adding short, online, professionalizing modules to its existing portfolio of long-term diploma courses. The target's revenue surged during the pandemic due to the CPF scheme.

Capza Expansion acquired a minority stake in Eduservices, joining the existing financial pool of Parquest and Amundi PEF. The transaction was structured as a new LBO, including senior bank debt with specific capex lines to fund growth. The founder's family and the management team retained the majority control. The capital injection was aimed at accelerating international expansion in key European markets (Germany, Spain, Italy) and continuing the digitalization of the curriculum.