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Leeds Equity Partners is a private equity firm that has been making strategic investments in the education sector for over 25 years. They were founded in 1993 by Robert W. Falek and Robert J. Stern.
Their investment history is marked by a focus on companies that provide educational services to students of all ages. Leeds Equity Partners has invested in over 40 education companies since its inception.
One of their notable investments was in Bright Horizons Family Solutions, a leading provider of early childhood education and family-focused child care.
Acquisitions and Exits
Leeds Equity Partners has a significant track record of portfolio exits, with 18 notable exits to date. Their latest portfolio exit was Amplifire, acquired by Polaris Partners in July 2022.
The firm's acquisition history is equally impressive, with 22 companies acquired to date. Their latest acquisition was Learnosity, acquired on January 16, 2025.
Here are some key facts about Leeds Equity Partners' acquisitions and exits:
22 Acquisitions
Leeds Equity Partners has made 22 acquisitions, with their latest one being Learnosity on January 16, 2025. This acquisition was a significant one, with Learnosity valued at $XXM.
Leeds Equity Partners has a history of acquiring companies across various sectors. One notable acquisition was ArcherReview, also acquired in 2024. The exact valuation of ArcherReview is not publicly disclosed.
We can see a pattern of acquisitions by Leeds Equity Partners in the table below:
Leeds Equity Partners has also acquired OffSec on October 15, 2024, although the exact valuation is not disclosed.
Portfolio Exits
Leeds Equity Partners has a significant track record of successful portfolio exits, with 18 exits under their belt. Their latest exit was Amplifire, acquired by Polaris Partners on July 25, 2022.
This exit was a financial acquisition, with the terms of the deal not publicly disclosed. Amplifire was one of several companies acquired by Leeds Equity Partners, which also included Scaled Agile, acquired by Eurazeo on November 15, 2021, and BARBRI, acquired by Francisco Partners on March 31, 2021.
Interestingly, Leeds Equity Partners has a mix of financial acquisitions and mergers in their portfolio exits. For example, their exit on July 7, 2020, was a merger, although the details of the deal are not publicly available.
Here are some key statistics on Leeds Equity Partners' portfolio exits:
Company Growth and Development
Leeds Equity Partners has been growing its senior team, with the promotion of Emily Bernstein to Principal. This move reflects the firm's commitment to developing its talent and expertise.
The firm is based in New York, a hub for private equity activity.
Investments
Leeds Equity Partners has a significant investment portfolio, with a total of 37 investments to their name.
Their latest investment was in e.Republic as part of their Private Equity on December 16, 2022.
The firm has a diverse range of investments, but the specific details of some of their funds are not publicly available due to subscription requirements.
Leeds Equity Partners VII is one of their notable funds, which closed on October 18, 2021, with a whopping $1,400M in funds.
Here's a breakdown of some of their notable funds:
Note that some of the details of their earlier funds, such as Leeds V PMA AIV LP and Leeds Equity Partners V LP, are not publicly available due to subscription requirements.
Financial Performance
Leeds Equity Partners is a significant player in the investment world, and its financial performance is a key indicator of its success.
The company's annual revenue was a notable $20 million in 2024, a figure that reflects its commitment to delivering strong returns for its investors.
With a strong financial foundation, Leeds Equity Partners is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory and make strategic investments in the years to come.
History and Milestones
Leeds Equity Partners has a long history of successful funds, with 13 funds in total. The company's first fund, Leeds Equity Partners V LP, was closed in 2009.
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One of their most notable funds is Leeds Equity Partners VII, which closed in 2021 with a significant amount of $1,400M. This fund is a testament to the company's ability to raise substantial amounts of capital.
Leeds Equity Partners VI was an industry-focused fund that closed in 2018 with $750M. This fund was a notable achievement for the company, showcasing their expertise in the industry-focused space.
Here are some key milestones in Leeds Equity Partners' history:
Leeds Equity Partners' ability to consistently raise significant amounts of capital is a testament to their expertise and reputation in the industry.
Customers and Partnerships
Leeds Equity Partners has a strong network of strategic partners and customers. Leeds Equity Partners has 2 strategic partners and customers.
One of their notable partnerships is with OptionMetrics, a partnership that was announced on April 4, 2021. This partnership aims to expand options and futures data solutions.
Leeds Equity Partners also partners with LRN, a company based in the United States. This partnership was established on December 19, 2018.
Here is a list of Leeds Equity Partners' strategic partners and customers:
Customers
Leeds Equity Partners has a limited number of strategic partners and customers, with only 2 notable ones. One of its partners is OptionMetrics, a US-based company they partnered with on April 4, 2021.
This partnership aimed to expand options and futures data solutions. Leeds Equity Partners also has a partnership with LRN, another US-based company they partnered with on December 19, 2018.
LRN was a partner, not a vendor, in this case, as opposed to OptionMetrics. The partnership details for LRN are limited, with only a snippet mentioning the need to subscribe to see more.
E.Republic Joins Forces
e.Republic, a California-based media, research, data, and events company, has joined forces with Leeds Equity Partners. This partnership will enable e.Republic to scale its market-critical efforts in government and education.
The investment from Leeds Equity Partners is a significant one, coming in at over $1.4 billion in capital. e.Republic's CEO, Cathilea Robinett, is excited about the partnership, stating that Leeds Equity shares similar values and is committed to the vision of bringing innovation to government and education.
Dennis McKenna, the founder of e.Republic, will be retiring from the company. Cathilea Robinett will continue in her role as CEO and President, leading the company forward.
JEGI CLARITY represented e.Republic in this transaction, while Reed Smith LLP served as legal counsel to Leeds Equity Partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Leeds Equity Partners Associate make?
Leeds Equity Partners Associates can earn an estimated $187,871 per year. Salaries range from approximately $110,419 to $187,871 per year for various roles within the company.
Who is Jeffrey Leeds?
Jeffrey Leeds is the President and Co-Founder of Leeds Equity, a seasoned private equity investor with over 20 years of experience in the Knowledge Industries. He previously worked at Lazard Frères & Co., specializing in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance.
Who is the CEO of Leeds Equity?
The President of Leeds Equity Partners is Jeffrey Leeds. He leads the firm's investment and management efforts.
How big is the Leeds Equity Partners Fund?
The Leeds Equity Partners Fund, Leeds Equity Partners VII, L.P., has a size of $1.4 billion. It successfully closed above its hard cap.
Sources
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leeds-equity-partners-acquires-offsec-302275836.html
- https://www.cbinsights.com/investor/leeds-equity-partners
- https://rocketreach.co/leeds-equity-partners-profile_b5c41137f42e0d84
- https://www.citybiz.co/article/618342/leeds-equity-partners-acquire-archer-review/
- https://www.erepublic.com/insights/e-republic-joins-forces-with-leeds-equity-partners/
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