Red Ventures has acquired HigherEducation.com, a provider of marketing and enrollment services to post-secondary institutions in the United States for undisclosed amount. Founded in 2007, HigherEducation.com owns a portfolio of websites that help over 150 primarily not-for-profit university partners expand their online education offerings and better reach prospective students across the country.
“Online education is a fast-growing industry with enormous scale and significant innovation,” said Red Ventures CEO, Ric Elias. “HigherEducation.com brings a unique mix of high-quality digital assets, well-established partnerships, and deep technical expertise, all of which fit perfectly into the Red Ventures model and provide the ideal entry point into the broader education sector.”
Red Ventures acquired the company from The Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused on middle-market companies in the healthcare, education, and financial services industries. During its partnership, Vistria capitalized on its industry relationships and operating expertise to help strategically position HigherEducation.com in its markets and to facilitate the company’s growth and profitability.
“Red Ventures is the ideal long-term home for HigherEducation.com as we continue to build the leading digital marketplace serving the education sector,” said Patrick Gavin, CEO and Founder of H-E. “I’m grateful to the Vistria team for helping us achieve this milestone. Their shared vision, commitment to our team and sector insight were instrumental in strengthening the foundation of the company.”
“We have enjoyed our partnership over the past two years and are thrilled to have been able to deploy the Vistria playbook in support of HigherEducation.com,” said Martin Nesbitt, Co-Chief Executive Officer at the Vistria Group. “The company is well positioned to meet the evolving needs of both prospective students and education providers, and together with Red Ventures, equipped to reach new heights.”
