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Welcome To HEG’s Inner Circle eNews
A Bi-Weekly Recap of Essential Reading For The Private School Sector
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Welcome to the 190th edition of HEG’s Inner Circle Private School eNews, where Halladay Education Group shares key insights into the latest investment activity shaping the global private education sector.
Halladay Education Group recently advised the owners of Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and InFocus Film School on two separate, unrelated sale mandates led by Douglas Halladay, President of Halladay Education Group. Both schools are based in Vancouver and are recognized for their strong brands, career-focused programming, and clear market positioning. Together, these transactions reflect continued buyer interest in differentiated Canadian private career colleges with scalable operating platforms. For owners considering succession, growth capital, or a sale, these deals confirm that well-positioned colleges can attract serious strategic and financial interest.
HEG MARKET INTELLIGENCE
The global education M&A market is sending clear signals — and Canada's private career college sector sits at the centre of a compelling opportunity. Eureka Education Group's acquisition of Knovia Group from Sovereign Capital created one of Europe's largest vocational training platforms — a textbook PE buy-and-build play. Private equity deal activity has plummeted across Asia-Pacific, redirecting institutional capital to more predictable markets.
Fleming College and St. Lawrence College announced plans to merge — proof that structural consolidation has arrived in Canadian post-secondary education. Princeton Equity Group's strategic investment in KidStrong, now supporting over 85,000 members across North America, confirms that scalable, enrolment-driven education businesses command serious institutional attention. At Halladay Education Group, we track these trends as active advisors, not observers. What is happening globally is a preview of what is coming to Canada and the U.S..
Call To Action: If you’re considering a sale, merger, acquisition, or recapitalization in 2026, now is the time to assess your positioning before the process begins. Let’s schedule a confidential 30-minute call to benchmark your institution against current buyer criteria and identify the value drivers that influence valuation and deal certainty. Reach out to us for a discreet discussion.
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FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES
1) REPUTABLE & PROFITABLE K-12 DAY & INTERNATIONAL BOARDING SCHOOL (EASTERN CANADA)
REVIEWING OFFER
Established co-ed school with 50+ years of history, 300+ students, and near-100% university placement. FY26F: $8.2M revenue / $2.0M adjusted EBITDAR. Well-located, multi-site urban campus with ~63% enrollment growth capacity. Buyer value: durable brand, outcomes-driven positioning, diversified delivery (day + boarding), and clear pathway to scale with measured capex and enrollment management. More Info
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2) PREMIER CANADIAN FILM & DIGITAL ARTS COLLEGE
SOLD
High-recognition creative media institution with programs designed and taught by award-winning industry professionals. Buyer value: differentiated curriculum, brand credibility with students and employers, and strong content-to-career alignment that supports pricing power and repeat intakes. Growth levers: program expansion in high-demand digital disciplines, partnerships with studios/employers, and scalable hybrid delivery where appropriate. Status: reviewing offers. More Info
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3) MARKET-LEADING CANADIAN MASSAGE THERAPY COLLEGE
SIGNED LOI
Western Canada platform with 30+ years of operations and strong graduate outcomes. FY25F: $2.0M revenue / $380K EBITDA (18%), scaling to $2.7M / $771K (29%) by FY28F. 100% domestic enrollment, regulatory protection, and a trusted brand. Buyer value: recession-resilient demand, strong cash flow, and 2x EBITDA growth through capacity, scheduling, and program optimization. More Info
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4) PREMIUM EUROPEAN SUMMER CAMP PLATFORM
Project Alpine: 50+ years, 350,000 alumni, and participants from 60 countries. FY26F: US$7.2M revenue / $1.2M EBITDA. Buyer value: brand equity, high-margin enrollments, multi-country programming, and repeat/cross-sell potential across channels. Growth levers include extended seasons, new locations, and structured partnerships. More Info
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5) U.S. FOR-PROFIT K-12 BUYER (VOUCHER/ESA STATES)
Global operator seeking acquisitions of for-profit day schools in voucher/ESA markets. Target: $500K–$5M EBITDA, strong academics, and clear growth. Flexible deal structures, including real estate options, are suitable for single sites or small groups. Priority: FL, TX, AZ, GA (plus IN, IA, OH, NC, UT, WV, AL, LA, OK, NH, TN). Confidential, founder-friendly, proven integration. More info
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6) ACCREDITED CANADIAN DESIGN SCHOOL WITH STRONG FINANCIALS
Leading career college in fashion, interior, and technical design, with 98% domestic enrollment and modular hybrid programming. Forecast: >$2.0M revenue and $615K EBITDA by 2028. Buyer value: turnkey operation, breadth of curriculum, and expanded registrations through flexible delivery. Growth levers include new certificates, corporate partnerships, and geographic reach through hybrid. Attractive to strategics seeking creative-education exposure with disciplined margins. More Info
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7) NURSING & HEALTHCARE CAREER COLLEGE GROUP IN WESTERN CANADA
Market-leading, multi-campus healthcare education platform. FY25 anchors at $14.5M in revenue and $3.4M in EBITDA (23% margin), scaling asset-light to $19.3M and $5.9M by FY27F (30% margin), demonstrating strong earnings momentum and growth visibility. Programs include Practical Nursing (LPN) and allied health. Underwriting rests on: (i) approved programs with domestic financial-eligibility status, (ii) defensible practicum access, and (iii) predominantly domestic tuition revenues. More Info
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8) PROFITABLE TRANSPORT CANADA–APPROVED FTU + AVIATION CAREER COLLEGE (WESTERN CANADA)
Scaled, asset-backed aviation training platform: Transport Canada–approved FTU within a provincially accredited career college with DLI and Student Aid eligibility. FY26F: $3.45M revenue, ~335 students, normalized EBITDA ~$910K (FY24–FY25F avg), expanding to ~$1.05M at 30%+ margins. Leased airside campus; 11-aircraft fleet (~$2.6M), simulator, and maintenance operations create a defensible regulatory/operating moat. More Info
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9) MULTI-CAMPUS WESTERN CANADIAN HEALTH / WELLNESS / BEAUTY CAREER COLLEGE PLATFORM
Scaled multi-campus Western Canadian career college group with substantial healthcare exposure and FY26F projected EBITDA of about $2.6M on $6.6M of revenue. The platform combines domestic demand, practical employer-aligned training, and a capacity-ready multi-campus footprint that supports further margin expansion. Growth opportunities include adding cohorts, selective program expansion, pricing optimization, and increased utilization of clinics and salons. More Info.
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10) PREMIUM CANADIAN CULINARY CAREER COLLEGE
SOLD
Established Canadian culinary career college with a leading national brand, a strong domestic enrolment mix, and consistent profitability. Offers Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts diploma programs, plus Red Seal pathways. Buyer value: exceptional market standing, experienced management, a clean regulatory track record, prime campus infrastructure, and clear upside with enrolment expansion with an additional teaching kitchen. More Info
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KIDSTRONG ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT FROM PRINCETON EQUITY GROUP
Their partnership positions high-growth youth-enrichment franchisor for continued success.
Read more
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COLLIDE RAISES $95M FUND TO BACK FINTECH, FUTURE-OF-WORK STARTUPS
Collide Capital, founded by Brian Hollins and Aaron Samuels, announced the close of a $95M Fund II.
Read more
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MOBIUS INSTITUTE ACQUIRES RELIABILITY INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA
This acquisition will strengthen Mobius' capabilities while broadening its global presence.
Read more
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EUREKA EDUCATION ACQUIRED KNOVIA FROM SOVEREIGN CAPITAL
Knovia Group is one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship providers.
Read more
TWO ONTARIO COLLEGES TO MERGE WHILE MAINTAINING LOCAL BRANDS
Fleming College and St. Lawrence College announced a formal process to integrate as equal partners.
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THE LATEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL MERGERS IN UK
A clutch of schools have announced they are joining larger groups.
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SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR INT'L HIGHER EDUCATION INCREASINGLY ALIGNED IN ASIA
Several Asian countries are redefining their role in global education.
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CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL AND THE DOWNS PREPARATORY SCHOOL TO MERGE
They have announced the formation of a new schools group, Pembroke Education.
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THE LOOMING COLLEGE-ENROLLMENT DEATH SPIRAL
After many decades of democratization, higher education could once again become a luxury good.
Read more
PRIVATE EQUITY EDUCATION SECTOR DEAL PLUMMET IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Private equity and venture capital investment in education services fell in 2025.
Read more
| | ABOUT HEG’S M&A ADVISORY SERVICES | | |
Halladay Education Group (HEG) is a premier M&A advisory firm specializing exclusively in the private education sector across North America and internationally. With over 30 years of experience, HEG has successfully led the sale, acquisition, and recapitalization of a diverse range of educational institutions, including K-12 private schools, boarding and Montessori schools, early childhood centers, ESL programs, career colleges, and higher education platforms.
We are a trusted advisor to private equity firms, institutional investors, operators, and family offices pursuing strategic growth, as well as school owners seeking full or partial exits. Backed by deep sector expertise, an extensive proprietary database of qualified buyers, and full-cycle transaction support, HEG has earned a reputation as one of the most active and respected firms in the field. To confidentially discuss your institution’s strategic options—whether a sale, merger, acquisition, or financing—and how emerging trends may impact your outlook, contact us at 1-800-687-1402. Please view our Corporate Brochure.
info@halladayeducationgroup.com | 1-800-687-1492 | www.buyingandsellingschools.com
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