mynth
← DATABASE
04/2024

UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA acquired by EQT PARTNERS

SPAIN Education / Education Providers EV 1b - 4b EUR

Context

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.

UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA, which reported an EBITDA margin of in 2023, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of , representing a to the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.2x).

-> Deep-dive in Retail & Consumer market trends

Target

Universidad Europea is a leading private higher education platform in the Iberian Peninsula. It operates a network of 12 campuses across Spain and Portugal, serving approximately 54,000 students and maintaining a global alumni network of 130,000. The group offers a diverse range of programs in Social Sciences, Sports, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), with a market-leading reputation in Health Sciences. Its model emphasizes high employability and academic excellence, supported by a workforce of over 3,400 employees.

Ent. Value

Equity Value

Multiples

EV / Revenue

EV / EBITDA

EV / EBIT

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year
Rev
EBITDA
EBIT
2023
2022

Similar deals in Education

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sub-sector)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySector
10/2024CINVENDOMIA GROUPFRANCEEducation
06/2024AD EDUCATIONPOLE LEONARD DE VINCIFRANCEEducation Providers
03/2024MANUTANFINDELUNITED KINGDOMEducational Equipment
11/2022ARKEA CAPITAL / BNP PARIBAS DEVELOPPEMENT / IRD INVESTMEDIASCIENCEFRANCEEducational Equipment
09/2022GALILEO GLOBAL EDUCATIONEMLYONFRANCEEducation Providers
06/2022AD EDUCATIONGROUPE OKTOGONEFRANCEEdTech & Content
06/2022SANOMA CORPORATIONPEARSON (ITALY & GERMANY)ITALYEdTech & Content
05/2022FIVE ARROWSGROUPE EDHFRANCEEducation Providers
03/2022EDUSERVICESECOLE FRANCAISEFRANCEEdTech & Content
10/2021GRANDIRSODEXO CHILDCAREFRANCEEducation Providers

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b EUR

Revenue range: 250M - 500M EUR

EBITDA range: 100M - 200M EUR

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA by EQT PARTNERS are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Press release: view release

Acquirer: eqt partners