About us

University Ventures (UV) is the premier investment firm focused exclusively on the global higher education sector. UV pursues a differentiated strategy of 'innovation from within'. By partnering with top-tier universities and colleges and then strategically directing private capital to develop programs of exceptional quality that address major economic and social needs, UV expects to set new standards for student outcomes and advance the development of the next generation of colleges and universities on a global scale.

The fund is led by four principals with 50+ years collective experience as entrepreneurs, investors and leaders in higher education, and with a track record of establishing some of higher education’s largest and most successful organizations. With the greatest respect for the values, quality and traditions of academic institutions, UV aims to play a formative and constructive role in the private sector's increasing involvement in the future of Higher Education.

“Higher education faces strategic challenges similar to those faced by media a decade ago: the digital revolution, growing demand, and globalization. Bertelsmann aims to play a leading role in addressing these challenges in partnership with traditional universities. To achieve this goal, we have aligned ourselves with investors and entrepreneurs with a demonstrated track record of envisioning new business models and building successful education ventures while respecting traditional academic institutions. We expect our partnership with University Ventures to be longstanding and to drive innovation and quality across higher education globally.”

- Thomas Rabe, CEO Bertelsmann AG

University Ventures is backed by some of the global education sector’s most successful and influential strategic and financial investors. Our limited partners aim to realize market-leading returns while playing a positive and sustainable role in the transformation of higher education. Our carefully selected investor base comprises a broad spectrum of stakeholders in higher education across the US, Europe and Asia. All investors are aligned with UV’s mission of doing well by doing good, and are committed to prioritizing student outcomes in every investment.

University Ventures’ limited partners represent some of the largest most sophisticated investors in the US and globally, including founders of successful education enterprises, major University endowments, leading education philanthropists, and Bertelsmann, the world's most international media and services company.

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