Articles Tagged with edtech2008

NFImageImportThis panel is made up of seasoned veterans of the M&A markets for Education Technology companies. They addressed the K12, Higher Education / Post-secondary, and general M&A climate.

The panelists are:

It is sponsored by Empirical Education.

Key insights:

  • Look to the UK market – it is an 18 month leading indicator of what is going to happen in the US market.
  • Professional Development is now mandatory for all solutions in the UK. Are publishers using this to hold open source at bay or is this a real switch taking place?
  • The US market is contracting – there are fewer strategic buyers because they have all merged and the Private Equity guys are sitting things out for a while.
  • Buyers don’t want to take any risk right now – only companies with proven business models, strong teams, and organic growth need apply.
  • For profit higher ed is growing – the economy is actually helping with this as people look to expand their skill base.
  • Expect to see many buyers looking for bargains over the next couple of years. Don’t expect to see much in the way of IPOs.
  • In K12 multiples are higher (almost double) for companies that have a strong technology component – but it has to be integrated well – it can’t be a bolt on.
  • Multiples are higher for Higher Ed than K12.

For my more free form notes follow below the fold.

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