News

Eagle Merchant Partners (“Eagle”), a leading private equity firm based in Atlanta, announced today a strategic growth investment in Guidewell Education, a Sacramento-based global education company dedicated to empowering students through college counseling, test preparation, and academic mentorship.

Since 2021, Guidewell Education has completed a series of strategic acquisitions to strengthen its platform and broaden its service offerings. These include Applerouth Tutoring, Summit Educational Group, UES Education, Metro Academic Prep, College MatchPoint, and most recently, Reach Cambridge. Today, Guidewell Education serves approximately 22,000 students annually across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, delivering personalized academic mentorship, test prep courses, and tutoring, as well as admissions guidance.

“We are so pleased to be linking arms with Eagle to help accelerate our mission to serve more students with transformative educational experiences,” said Billy Downing, Founder of Guidewell Education.  

Drew Foster and David Kim of Eagle Merchant Partners led the investment. Together, Eagle and Guidewell Education will accelerate growth initiatives, expand service offerings, and pursue strategic acquisitions to broaden the company’s reach worldwide. The deal represents Eagle’s second investment out of its recently closed Fund II and its ninth transaction in the consumer services sector.

“We are thrilled to partner with Billy and the entire Guidewell Education team,” said Drew Foster. “Guidewell Education has established itself as a leader in the education services sector, and we see tremendous opportunity to build on that foundation, expand globally, and positively impact even more students and families.”

Eagle Merchant Partners is a private equity firm focused on control investments in founder-owned, lower middle-market companies in the Southeastern United States. The Firm specializes in the franchise, multi-unit and commercial services sectors and works closely with management teams to scale operations and build enduring value. 

For more information visit www.eaglemerchantpartners.com.