Newport Beach, CA, September 14, 2016 – We are pleased to announce the recapitalization of Learners Edge (the “Edge” or the “Company”).  Founded in 2002 and based in Lakeville, Minnesota, the Edge is a leading direct-to-teacher provider of online professional development, continuing education and master’s degree programs for K-12 teachers. Co-founded by two middle-school teachers, Joe Cotter and Kyle Pederson, the Company was established with the mission to advance educators’ skill, career paths, classroom instruction and, ultimately, student success by providing the most flexible, engaging and relevant professional development courses available.

“We’re very excited about our partnership with L Squared” stated Joe Cotter, CEO of the Edge. “Their experience, resources, and expertise in Education will be a valuable addition as we continue to build on the Edge’s record of success.”

L Squared is a top supporter of education companies, having invested across the education landscape in early childhood, K-12 and post-secondary education. “Our goal is to help the Edge continue to create remarkable experiences that inspire educators and ultimately improve the quality of teaching and learning,” said Rob Healy, Managing Partner of L Squared.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Edge’s outstanding management team,” added Jeff Farrero, Managing Partner of L Squared.  “The Edge’s business model has all the elements we look for – strong organic growth, unmatched product breadth, multiple growth avenues, high customer value proposition and retention, and a management team with a proven track record of implementing strategic initiatives resulting in strong operating and financial performance. Furthermore, we intend to pursue complimentary add-on acquisitions to leverage the Edge’s management talent and industry leadership.”

L Squared, management and Avante Mezzanine contributed the equity for the transaction.  Crescent Direct Lending served as administrative agent and lead arranger for the credit facility to support the recapitalization.  Vedder Price served as legal counsel to L Squared. The L Squared deal team included Rob Healy, Jeff Farrero, Randall Hunt and Adam Kimura.

About L Squared Capital Partners

L Squared Capital Partners is an investment firm headquartered in Newport Beach, CA that seeks to make $40 to $100 million equity investments in leading growth companies that operate in targeted sectors: Industrial Technology & Services, Education Technology, and Tech-Enabled Services.  Our unique investor base of family offices enables us to focus on long-term value creation driven by revenue and earnings growth, not financial engineering or market timing.  The principals of L Squared have worked together for over a decade and have over 60 years of combined experience investing in growing private companies. For additional information, please visit www.LSquaredCap.com.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase of any investment.  Investing with any investment firm is suitable only for qualified investors that fully understand the risks of such an investment.  L Squared Capital Partners is an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  Investments with L Squared Capital Partners are only offered in accordance with applicable securities laws.

For Additional Information Please Contact:

Jeff Farrero
Managing Partner
Office: (949) 398-0175
[email protected]

Randall Hunt
Partner
Office: (949) 398-0172
[email protected]

Adam Kimura
Principal
Office: (949) 398-0177
[email protected]