ETS Strategic Capital

ETS Strategic Capital, founded in 2020 and based in Princeton, New Jersey, operates as the corporate development unit of ETS. This venture capital firm focuses on making equity investments and establishing strategic growth partnerships and mergers or acquisitions with innovative companies that hold strategic value globally. Leveraging ETS's extensive resources in assessments, research and development, global distribution, and innovative technologies, ETS Strategic Capital aims to drive growth and innovation within the education sector and beyond.

Emal Dusst

Managing Director and Head

7 past transactions

Suraasa

Series A in 2024
Suraasa is a teacher workforce development platform offering programs to get mentorship, teach diploma courses, and access job opportunities. The company aims to accelerate its growth and enhance teacher quality, ensuring educators are equipped to meet global standards and get integrated into diverse educational systems to meet the growing global demand for quality teaching professionals.

Wheebox

Secondary Market in 2023
Wheebox is a leading provider of online skill assessment services based in India, specializing in the "India Skills Test," which is the largest employment skills test in the country. With operations extending to South Africa and the United Kingdom, Wheebox has developed a comprehensive suite of over 100 validated assessments that cover various domains, including language, cognitive skills, personality types, and specific industry skills such as finance and technology. The platform enables individuals to evaluate their employability and provides insights that can be accessed by potential employers. With a user base exceeding 500,000 across multiple countries, Wheebox aims to facilitate effective talent acquisition for companies and educational institutions by offering assessments that do not require physical proctoring. The company has received multiple accolades, including recognition as a finalist in the Red Herring Asia Awards and nominations for prestigious awards from Ernst and Young and SiliconIndia.

Orijin, PBC

Series C in 2022
American Prison Data Systems provides software and technology solutions designed to deliver educational and rehabilitative programs for correctional facilities. The company focuses on creating a secure environment where inmates can access individualized education, job training, and re-entry resources. Its offerings include military-grade technology to prevent misuse, secure content filters, data encryption, and curated educational content from various providers. APDS also features a centralized platform that allows correctional administrators and educators to deliver remote, adaptive instruction and monitor inmate progress. By enhancing access to education and rehabilitation, APDS aims to improve prison safety, reduce violence, and lower recidivism rates. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in New York and has an additional office in Boston.

CollegeDekho

Series B in 2021
CollegeDekho is India's largest college discovery and enrollment platform, founded in 2015 by Ruchir Arora, Saurabh Jain, and Rohit Saha. The company addresses the challenges faced by millions of students in India, particularly first-generation learners, who often lack access to professional guidance in selecting colleges and career paths. With over 54,000 colleges in the country, CollegeDekho aims to reduce the stress associated with higher education by providing free professional college and career counseling. The platform offers comprehensive information on more than 35,000 colleges, courses, and examinations, facilitating informed decision-making for approximately 4.7 million students annually. CollegeDekho has delivered counseling to over 12 million students and has enabled enrollments for more than 200,000 individuals. Its innovative Common Application Form allows students to apply to over 2,000 colleges simultaneously, streamlining the application process. Additionally, CollegeDekho Assured focuses on enhancing employability by providing industry-relevant skills alongside traditional degree programs. Through its efforts, CollegeDekho seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment in a rapidly changing job market.

MPOWER Financing

Venture Round in 2021
MPOWER Financing is a Public Benefit Corporation based in Washington, D.C., that provides educational loans to international and DACA students studying in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2014, the company offers loans ranging from $2,001 to $50,000, which can be used for various student-related expenses, including tuition, housing, and books. Notably, MPOWER does not require a co-signer, collateral, or a U.S. credit history, utilizing a proprietary credit algorithm that assesses future potential instead. Loans are structured as 10-year fixed-rate agreements, with repayments beginning six months after graduation. The company also offers additional support services, such as interest discounts, personal finance education courses, credit-building resources, and job placement assistance. By partnering with universities, MPOWER identifies potential loan candidates and directly disburses funds to educational institutions for tuition and related expenses.

Vericant

Acquisition in 2021
Vericant is a Beijing-based company that specializes in facilitating the admissions process for U.S. day and boarding schools by providing a platform for video interviews and proctored writing samples from Chinese applicants. The company assists educational institutions in identifying qualified candidates through verified video interviews, ID verification, and assessments of spoken English abilities and non-cognitive skills. Vericant ensures the integrity of its evaluation process by conducting interviews without the influence of coaches, presenting applicants with randomly selected questions, and providing admissions officers with factual information that accurately reflects each applicant's capabilities.

MPOWER Financing

Venture Round in 2021
MPOWER Financing is a Public Benefit Corporation based in Washington, D.C., that provides educational loans to international and DACA students studying in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2014, the company offers loans ranging from $2,001 to $50,000, which can be used for various student-related expenses, including tuition, housing, and books. Notably, MPOWER does not require a co-signer, collateral, or a U.S. credit history, utilizing a proprietary credit algorithm that assesses future potential instead. Loans are structured as 10-year fixed-rate agreements, with repayments beginning six months after graduation. The company also offers additional support services, such as interest discounts, personal finance education courses, credit-building resources, and job placement assistance. By partnering with universities, MPOWER identifies potential loan candidates and directly disburses funds to educational institutions for tuition and related expenses.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.