Excolere Equity Partners Acquires EPS School Specialty from School Specialty, LLC
March 2, 2023
Excolere Equity Partners acquired EPS School Specialty, the K–12 literacy and math solutions division of School Specialty, LLC, creating a standalone curriculum platform focused on remediation and evidence-based instruction. The deal was financed with an $87.5 million senior secured credit facility led by Comvest Credit Partners (which also made an equity co-investment), and Cambridge Information Group joined as a consortium investor; Excolere appointed Steven Guttentag as CEO to lead the business.
- Buyers
- Excolere Equity Partners, Comvest Credit Partners, Cambridge Information Group
- Targets
- EPS School Specialty
- Sellers
- School Specialty, LLC
- Industry
- Education
- Location
- United States
- Transaction Type
- Buyout
Explore More
Related Acquisitions
-
HGGC-Backed Equity Methods Acquires Equity Plan Solutions (EPS)
April 17, 2026
Professional Services
Equity Methods, backed by private equity firm HGGC, signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Equity Plan Solutions (EPS), a boutique equity plan administration firm. The acquisition adds EPS’s 22-person team and expands Equity Methods’ end-to-end equity compensation capabilities, including administration, valuation, financial reporting, and HR advisory.
-
School Specialty Acquires Nasco Education U.S.
December 8, 2025
Education
School Specialty, a leading PreK-12 learning environments and supplies provider headquartered in Greenville, Wisconsin, has acquired Nasco Education U.S., a developer and distributor of hands-on instructional materials based in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The acquisition expands School Specialty’s product portfolio and procurement efficiencies for K-12 customers while both businesses operate independently during an integration period.
-
EQT Invests in Compass Education to Accelerate Product and International Growth
August 21, 2024
Education
EQT (via its BPEA EQT Mid‑Market Growth Partnership / MMG Fund) has agreed to invest in Compass, a Melbourne‑headquartered K‑12 school management SaaS provider, to support product development, innovation, hiring and international expansion. As part of the transaction Advent Partners will exit its investment and Compass founder John de la Motte remains a significant shareholder; the deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
-
Exeter Street Capital Partners Recapitalizes SmartLab Learning
December 12, 2023
Education
Exeter Street Capital Partners led a majority recapitalization of Creative Learning Systems, LLC (d/b/a SmartLab) in partnership with IBC Funds, Siguler Guff, and members of SmartLab's leadership team. The investment will support SmartLab's growth plans to expand its national footprint and scale its turnkey, tech-enabled STEM learning environments for K-12 schools.
-
Providence Equity Partners Majority Investment in Accelerate Learning
February 21, 2023
Education
Providence Equity Partners has made a majority investment in Accelerate Learning, a Houston-based provider of K-12 STEM curriculum and digital learning platforms. Existing investors including funds managed by Carlyle, Quad Partners, Rice University and Owl Ventures will retain minority stakes; financial terms were not disclosed. The investment is intended to help Accelerate Learning scale growth, deepen customer relationships and pursue organic and inorganic expansion opportunities.
-
SSI Acquisition (TCW / Cerberus / Lantern) Recapitalizes School Specialty, Inc.
September 15, 2020
Education
SSI Acquisition, LLC — an acquisition vehicle formed by TCW Asset Management, Cerberus Capital Management and Lantern Capital Partners — acquired substantially all assets of School Specialty, Inc. in a transaction that recapitalizes the business and restructures its balance sheet. Post-closing the business will operate as School Specialty, LLC, with Ryan M. Bohr named President and CEO.
Build a buyer list for your deal
Find active buyers from recent acquisition patterns and move straight into outreach.