Powerschool Ipo Brings Major Ed-Tech Provider to Public Market

Author

Reads 996

A woman educator helps a young student with a robotics project in a technology classroom.
Credit: pexels.com, A woman educator helps a young student with a robotics project in a technology classroom.

Powerschool IPO brings a major ed-tech provider to the public market, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Powerschool's IPO is a major development for the education technology sector.

The company has been a leading provider of K-12 education technology for over two decades, serving more than 45 million students worldwide.

This IPO will provide Powerschool with the capital it needs to continue innovating and expanding its offerings.

Financial Performance and Valuation

PowerSchool's financial performance has been impressive, with revenue increasing by 10.62% in 2023 to $697.65 million.

The company's revenue growth is a testament to its strong market share position and ability to adapt to changing market conditions. In 2020, PowerSchool generated revenue of $434.9 million, a 19% increase from 2019's sales haul of $365 million.

PowerSchool's valuation is expected to be significant, with a potential $6 billion-plus valuation, more than twice its worth in 2018 when Onex acquired a stake. The company's IPO is expected to price between $18 and $20 per share, raising approximately $750.5 million at a valuation of $3.7 billion.

Increased Valuation

Credit: youtube.com, Franchise Valuation Unveiled: Maximising Your Financial Performance and Worth

PowerSchool's valuation is expected to reach $6 billion-plus, more than double its worth in 2018 when Onex acquired a stake.

This significant growth can be attributed to the company's rapid adoption in K-12 education during the pandemic.

The company provides applications that power classrooms serving 45 million students in over 80 countries.

Vista Equity agreed to acquire PowerSchool for $350 million in 2015, following Pearson Plc's carve-out plan.

The potential IPO news could have a ripple effect on other EdTech companies looking to consolidate or enter the public markets.

Financial Performance

PowerSchool Holdings's revenue was $697.65 million in 2023, a 10.62% increase from the previous year.

This significant growth is a testament to the company's strong market position and innovative approach to educational technology. In 2020, PowerSchool generated revenue of $434.9 million, a 19% increase from 2019.

The company's biggest revenue subsegment, subscriptions and support, enjoyed a 20% year-over-year increase to nearly $371 million. This growth is likely due to the COVID-19 crisis forcing a reevaluation of technology's role in K-12 education.

Credit: youtube.com, Evaluating a Firm’s Financial Performance

PowerSchool's strong financial performance is expected to continue, with management anticipating further growth. The company's valuation is estimated to be around $3.5 billion, based on its IPO price of $18 per share.

Losses were -$31.14 million in 2023, a 49.8% increase from the previous year. Despite this, the company's financial performance is still encouraging, with a clear path for future growth.

Analyst Forecast

According to 12 analysts, the average rating for PWSC stock is "Hold." The 12-month stock price forecast is $23.8, which is an increase of 4.34% from the latest price. This forecast suggests a relatively stable outlook for the stock. The analysts' consensus is that PWSC stock is a good investment option.

Company Background

PowerSchool Holdings, Inc. offers cloud-based software to the K-12 education market in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

Its solution is embedded in school workflows and is used daily by educators, students, administrators, and parents in schools and districts.

The company provides a cloud-based technology platform that helps schools and districts manage state reporting and related compliance, special education, finance, human resource, talent, registration, attendance, funding, and learning.

More Mergers and Expansion Ahead

Credit: youtube.com, Mergers and Acquisitions (With Real-World Examples) | From A Business Professor

PowerSchool has a history of making strategic acquisitions to expand its portfolio. Since 2015, the company has made 12 acquisitions.

The company plans to use money from its IPO to pay off a bridge loan related to its March acquisition of Hobsons, a provider of college and career readiness solutions.

PowerSchool intends to continue investing in acquisitions and research and development to drive growth. Its CEO, Gulati, says the IPO will provide the needed financial boost for these investments.

The company is planning to expand its customer base in North America with significant and targeted investments in direct sales and marketing.

PowerSchool also hopes to broaden its reach overseas, listing international expansion as one of its key objectives moving forward.

Here are some key details about PowerSchool's expansion plans:

  • Expansion in North America: direct sales and marketing investments
  • International expansion: product, personal, partnership, and acquisition-related investments

Schoology Coverage

PowerSchool acquired Schoology, an LMS provider, in late 2019. This acquisition marked a significant move in the K-12 space, where consolidation is more favored than in Higher Ed.

Credit: youtube.com, Schoology Overview

The acquisition of Schoology by PowerSchool made PowerSchool the largest player in the K-12 space. This move is part of PowerSchool's consolidation-through-acquisition strategy.

Schoology's product direction and renewed focus on the K-12 market were highlighted at the Schoology NEXT 2019 users conference in July 2019.

The acquisition news was covered in October 2019, with analysis on how the deal might make sense for PowerSchool and its impact on the K-12 LMS market.

LISTedTECH shared data on the K-12 SIS and LMS markets, showing the overlap between the two, in a graphic published in November 2019.

The pandemic drove accelerated K-12 LMS market activity in 2020, with Schoology adoption increasing rapidly. This trend was visible in the data on New Implementations, updated at the end of 2020.

LISTedTECH shared data and a summary table in January 2021 to help describe PowerSchool's overall consolidation-through-acquisition strategy.

About Pwsc

PowerSchool Holdings, Inc. offers cloud-based software to the K-12 education market in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

Credit: youtube.com, PWSC - Rebrand 2022

Its solution is embedded in school workflows and is used daily by educators, students, administrators, and parents in schools and districts.

The company provides a cloud-based technology platform that helps schools and districts manage state reporting and related compliance.

PowerSchool Holdings is a key player in the education technology sector, with a presence in multiple countries.

The company's software is used on a daily basis, which speaks to its importance in the lives of educators and students alike.

PowerSchool Holdings IPO'd on July 28, 2021 at $18 per share, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Investor Information

Powerschool is a leading education technology company that provides a comprehensive student information system to schools and districts across the US.

Powerschool has a strong track record of financial performance, with revenue growth of 15% year-over-year.

The company's IPO is expected to be a significant event, with a projected market capitalization of $4.5 billion.

Investors can expect a significant return on investment, with a projected growth rate of 20% per annum.

Powerschool's IPO is a rare opportunity for individual investors to get in on the ground floor of a successful company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the valuation of PowerSchool at IPO?

PowerSchool's valuation at IPO is $3.5 billion, following a successful initial public offering. This significant valuation highlights the growing importance of education technology in the market.

Did PowerSchool get bought out?

Yes, PowerSchool was acquired by Bain Capital in 2024. This marked a significant change in the company's ownership.

How big is PowerSchool IPO?

PowerSchool's IPO was priced at $18 per share on 39.47 million shares, raising $710.46 million. This significant funding will support the company's continued growth and expansion in the education technology sector.

Maurice Pollich

Senior Writer

Maurice Pollich is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in the digital world. With a background in technology and finance, he brings a unique perspective to his writing. Maurice's expertise spans a range of topics, including cryptocurrency tokens, where he has developed a deep understanding of the underlying mechanics and market trends.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.