Ralph Taylor-Smith

Managing Director, Strategic Capital

10 past transactions

Ribbon Education

Acquisition in 2024
Ribbon Education, founded in 2021 in Brooklyn, New York by Joe Burgess and Lisa Jiang, develops a teacher-student relationship management platform aimed at enhancing the educational experience. This platform is designed to help teachers gain insights into their students, improve educational outcomes, and streamline administrative tasks. By focusing on scaling student support for online programs, Ribbon Education enables educational institutions to reduce teacher workloads and enhance student retention. The company addresses the challenges of online education, making it more affordable and effective for adult learners while ultimately striving to improve the overall quality of education.

Mastery Transcript Consortium

Acquisition in 2024
Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC) is a nonprofit organization based in Winchester, Massachusetts, dedicated to transforming the educational landscape by promoting mastery learning and competency-based education. It operates as a national and global network of public and private schools that are implementing a digital high school transcript system. This innovative approach aims to provide a more personalized and comprehensive assessment of student learning, moving away from traditional grading systems. MTC focuses on ensuring that all learners have access to high-quality education by fostering collaboration among its member schools and supporting the adoption of modern educational practices.

PSI Services

Acquisition in 2024
PSI Services is a prominent provider of professional testing, talent assessment solutions, and certification services, boasting over 60 years of experience in the industry. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including test development, delivery, and results processing, which cater to corporations, professional associations, and government regulatory agencies. PSI's offerings encompass pre-hire employment selection, managerial assessments, licensure testing, and certification credentialing services. With a focus on measuring and assessing the skills, abilities, and traits of individuals, PSI delivers over 30 million assessments annually in more than 50 languages. The organization employs a nationwide network of testing centers and utilizes its advanced test administration platform to ensure consistent security and quality in its services. PSI's expertise in data-driven decision-making enhances talent selection and development, making it a leader in the assessment industry.

Leverage Edu

Series C in 2023
Leverage Edu is an AI-enabled marketplace focused on assisting students with higher education and career development. As one of India's leading ed-tech companies, it aims to democratize mentorship and facilitate access to career growth opportunities. The platform offers an educational advisory service that matches students with programs and experts based on their interests. Users can browse and book admission tests for various colleges and apply to educational programs, ensuring they receive guidance from mentors worldwide. By leveraging technology, Leverage Edu seeks to break down traditional barriers in education and empower the next generation of students to navigate their academic and professional journeys effectively.

upGrad

Venture Round in 2022
UpGrad is an online platform that offers educational services to its clients. UpGrad’s range of programs consists of digital marketing, product management, entrepreneurship, data analytics, data-driven management, and digital technology management. It offers industry insights and student support services. UpGrad was launched in 2015 by Phalgun Kompalli, Ronnie Screwvala, Ravijot Chugh, and Mayank Kumar and is based in Mumbai.

Kira Talent

Acquisition in 2021
Kira Talent is a leading provider of holistic admissions solutions for higher education, established in 2012. The company enhances the admissions process by integrating on-demand timed video and timed written assessments with traditional requirements such as test scores, essays, and reference letters. Kira Talent aims to help admission teams identify applicants who are likely to succeed in their programs by focusing on competency-based assessments that evaluate critical traits such as leadership, communication skills, and motivation. Serving over 300 programs globally, Kira Talent is dedicated to creating applicant-first assessments that facilitate the selection of the best-fit students for various educational institutions.

ApplyBoard

Series C in 2020
ApplyBoard is a technology company that facilitates the study abroad experience by connecting international students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions through its comprehensive platform. By automating and streamlining the application process, ApplyBoard enables students to easily discover, apply to, and enroll in universities across North America. The company has experienced significant growth, employing over 1,200 team members and earning recognition from Deloitte as one of Canada’s fastest-growing technology firms for five consecutive years. With its headquarters in Kitchener, Ontario, and a dedicated office in Gurugram, India, ApplyBoard operates with a global workforce spread across 30 countries, including major markets such as China, the Philippines, and the United States. This extensive network allows ApplyBoard to assist thousands of students in achieving their academic aspirations abroad.

Questar Assessment

Acquisition in 2017
Questar Assessment, Inc. specializes in providing comprehensive assessment solutions for the K-12 education market, catering to states, school districts, and other educational entities. The company offers a range of customizable services, including test design and construction, item development, online test administration, and psychometric services. In addition to these services, Questar develops proprietary assessment products such as the Degrees of Reading Power program, WriteQuest, and various proficiency tests. The company is committed to delivering end-to-end testing solutions that encompass everything from program management to data analysis and reporting. Questar Assessment aims to support educational institutions by ensuring reliable online testing performance and addressing the specific needs of its clients. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Brewster, New York, Questar was formerly known as Touchstone Applied Science Associates, Inc. and became a subsidiary of Educational Testing Service, Inc. in 2017.

Edusoft

Acquisition in 2011
Edusoft is a leading provider of technology-assisted English language learning solutions, specializing in customized educational software designed for various sectors, including government, education, and corporate environments. With over 20 years of experience, Edusoft serves a diverse clientele that includes 19 ministries of education and thousands of institutions around the world. The company offers a comprehensive range of courses, from beginner to advanced levels, as well as specialized training for specific purposes and teacher development. Renowned for its innovative approach, Edusoft was among the pioneers in incorporating computer-based learning into classrooms. Its team of pedagogical experts travels globally to deliver training and support, ensuring that solutions are tailored to meet local market needs. Edusoft primarily distributes its products through a network of global partners, maintaining a commitment to high standards of service and adaptation.

Computerized Assessments and Learning

Acquisition in 2011
The business of Computerized Assessments and Learning specializes in delivering advanced assessment services for K-12 education systems. By utilizing innovative technology, this sector aims to enhance academic excellence and empower educators with necessary insights to support student success. The focus lies on online assessment and effective management of student data, facilitating both summative testing for large-scale programs and localized assessments. This approach not only streamlines the evaluation process but also provides valuable analytics that assist educators in identifying areas for improvement and tailoring learning experiences to meet the diverse needs of students.
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