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Industry

Education

We seek to invest in education businesses committed to critical education quality, growth, and leadership.

Private equity education expert writing in notebook

A Leader Among Private Equity Firms
in the Education Sector

As a private equity firm focused on the education market, New Harbor Capital believes it understands the opportunities in this $4.5 trillion global market.

Education is essential to personal well-being and long-term economic prosperity, and sits at the center of innovation and progress across a variety of industries. But today’s educators face countless challenges, including increased accountability, affordability, adaptability and access. New Harbor Capital

invests across the education landscape, from K-12 to post-secondary education, to skills gap and corporate training. We actively look for opportunities to innovate and lead in ways that better serve leaders — and create sustainable competitive advantages.

The next chapter in your success story hinges on selecting the right investment partner. New Harbor Capital’s deep resources and expertise can support you every step of the way.

Our Focus Areas Within Education

Adult student attending continuing education classes on laptop at home as part of New Harbor Capital's education innovation investment focus

Education

Post-Secondary Education Innovation

Post-secondary education providers are facing multiple challenges as enrollments decline due to rising costs, declining ROI, and shifting learner preferences. The workforce skills gap has increased over time, expanding the population of unfilled jobs.  As new modalities and content continue to enter the market targeting this need and take share, the traditional higher ed model faces disruption. New Harbor Capital’s Post-Secondary Education Innovation focus includes businesses in the following areas:

  • Learning Model Transformation
  • Data & Analytics / Operational Efficiency
  • Outsourced Services

New Harbor Capital partner Tom Formolo

Tom Formolo
Partner

New Harbor Capital investment team member Avneet Multani

Avneet Multani
Vice President

New Harbor Capital's education analytics focus is on digital learning and curriculum tools and data and analytics management

Education

Education Analytics

The proliferation of digital solutions in the K12 education market is generating a significant amount of disparate data regarding the performance and outcomes within those solutions. More than 50 percent of classrooms use digital learning daily, with more than 75 percent of districts indicating data is used in decision-making. Schools and districts that are best able to compile, analyze, and leverage this data will succeed. New Harbor Capital’s Education Analytics investments focus on business in the following areas:

  • Professional Development
  • Digital Curriculum & Content Tools
  • Digital Assessment Tools
  • Data & Analytics 

New Harbor Capital team member Justin Marquardt

Justin Marquardt
Partner

Drew Nicholson, Principal at New Harbor Capital and Investment team member.

Drew Nicholson
Principal

Education

Certification, Training, and Credentialing

There is a growing mismatch between prospective employees’ skills and employer needs, resulting in significant challenges in today’s labor market. As industries and businesses continue to evolve, employers are seeking workers with skills that more specifically match their refined operational practices. This has resulted in an expanding chasm of unfilled jobs, with many employers struggling to find qualified candidates to fill critical roles. The mismatch in skills has been driven by several factors, including a lack of access to job training and education, rapid adoption of new technologies, shifts in business models, and a focus on efficiency and productivity. New Harbor Capital’s Certification, Training, and Credentialing investment focus includes businesses in the following segments:

  • Workforce Development Programs
  • Skills Gap Education and Training Providers
  • Certification and Credentialing

New Harbor Capital partner Tom Formolo

Tom Formolo
Partner

New Harbor Capital team member Bo Mlnarik

Bo Mlnarik
Principal

Education Investment Stories

Certica Logo

“As we continue to pursue a strategy that capitalizes on our strength in integrating and distributing data and content for the K-12 education sector, New Harbor’s expertise in supporting the growth of education businesses has been critical in achieving our potential.

Mark Rankovic Headshot Mark Rankovic
Certica Solutions, President and CEO*
Blueprint Logo

From our initial meeting with New Harbor, we knew they would be a great partner. Tom and his team knew our industry well and shared our vision for the future growth of the company.”

Matt Riley Headshot Matt Riley
Blueprint Prep, Founder and CEO*

New Harbor Capital’s Target Industries

Our thesis-based approach enables us to identify and invest in high-potential companies in industries where we have deep expertise, focus and connectivity. Explore the industries targeted by New Harbor Capital.

New Harbor Capital's healthcare investment team
Venn Diagram 1 & 2

Healthcare Education

We focus on investments dedicated to the ongoing training and upskilling of healthcare professionals.

Venn Diagram 1 & 3

Healthcare Technology

We leverage industry connectivity and know-how to invest in companies that marry healthcare and technology to strengthen patient care and outcomes.

Private equity education expert writing in notebook
Venn Diagram 2 & 3

Education Technology

New Harbor Capital focuses on businesses that utilize technology to improve learning outcomes, increase access and promote transparency — both inside and outside the classroom.

Venn Diagram 1 & 2

Healthcare Education

We focus on investments dedicated to the ongoing training and upskilling of healthcare professionals.

High-tech private equity professionals working over clipboard
Venn Diagram 1 & 3

Healthcare Technology

We leverage industry connectivity and know-how to invest in companies that marry healthcare and technology to strengthen patient care and outcomes.

Venn Diagram 2 & 3

Education Technology

New Harbor Capital focuses on businesses that utilize technology to improve learning outcomes, increase access and promote transparency — both inside and outside the classroom.

New Harbor Capital's healthcare investment team
Venn Diagram 1 & 2

Healthcare Education

We focus on investments dedicated to the ongoing training and upskilling of healthcare professionals.

Venn Diagram 1 & 3

Healthcare Technology

We leverage industry connectivity and know-how to invest in companies that marry healthcare and technology to strengthen patient care and outcomes.

Private equity education expert writing in notebook
Venn Diagram 2 & 3

Education Technology

New Harbor Capital focuses on businesses that utilize technology to improve learning outcomes, increase access and promote transparency — both inside and outside the classroom.

Venn Diagram 1 & 2

Healthcare Education

We focus on investments dedicated to the ongoing training and upskilling of healthcare professionals.

High-tech private equity professionals working over clipboard
Venn Diagram 1 & 3

Healthcare Technology

We leverage industry connectivity and know-how to invest in companies that marry healthcare and technology to strengthen patient care and outcomes.

Venn Diagram 2 & 3

Education Technology

New Harbor Capital focuses on businesses that utilize technology to improve learning outcomes, increase access and promote transparency — both inside and outside the classroom.

Chicago train moving through the city

Featured News

New Harbor Capital Launches Service Project to Address Chicago’s Digital Divide

New Harbor Capital is excited to launch a service initiative to bridge Chicago’s digital divide and provide computer devices to families in need…

Get in Touch With Our Education Investment Team

Let’s start the conversation today. 

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*Certain statements about New Harbor Capital made by portfolio company executives herein are intended to illustrate New Harbor Capital’s business relationship with such persons, including with respect to New Harbor Capital’s facilities as a business partner, rather than New Harbor Capital’s capabilities or expertise with respect to investment advisory services.  Portfolio company executives were not compensated in connection with their participation, although they generally receive compensation and investment opportunities in connection with their portfolio company roles, and in certain cases are also owners of portfolio company securities and/or investors in New Harbor Capital-sponsored vehicles. Such compensation and investments subject participants to potential conflicts of interest in making the statements herein.