K12
Investments
School
Districts Served
Million Student
Lives Impacted
States
Using Serent Portfolio Products
Executives and Board Members
Placed in Our K12 Edtech Companies
Our Roots in Education
The education sector has been a core focus of Serent’s investment efforts since our founding in 2008. To date, nearly a fifth of all of our investments have been made in this sector. Our roots in education grow deep. From our Limited Partners which include several world-renowned institutions of higher education to one of our firm’s partners who is a former teacher for Teach-for-America, the mission of educating the next generation is engrained in our DNA.
Understanding of the Market Dynamics
Since 2008, Serent has partnered with 12 high-growth education businesses, including 8 companies in K12, to help them accelerate their growth. We have a deep appreciation for the nuances of serving this diverse market. With pedagogical and administrative needs differing widely by region, state, district and even individual rooftop, not to mention age range and student population type, addressing the K12 market is far from one-size-fits-all. Traditionally long sales-cycles and shifting federal, state and local funding sources add to the complexity. In our experience, success in the K12 market often requires a regional geographic ground-game with intimate local knowledge, grass-roots customer advocates, and relationship-based sales.
That said, COVID has caused tectonic shifts in K12 education. From blended learning transitioning from philosophical ideal to necessity overnight, to engagement and effectiveness leading the list of district priorities, to students and parents continually seeking and gaining greater control over their learning journeys, and finally, district administrators being thrust into the roles of nimble, pivoting quasi-entrepreneurs with increased pressure to retain their students. We are fortunate to have a front row seat to these changes through our portfolio.
Partnering with Entrepreneurs Behind Bootstrapped Ed Tech Companies
We take pride in being a top-50 founder-friendly growth-oriented firm and the only founder-friendly investment firm with a dedicated focus on K12 education technology. With our deep understanding and experience in the K12 market, the Serent team is here to partner with edtech founders like you, helping you navigate the shifting landscape, maximize long-term shareholder value, and generate the impact and results your offerings deserve. Regardless of which corner of this exciting market you are focused on, we look forward to meeting you, hearing about your journey and exploring how we can partner.
Our Specific Areas of Focus for K12 Edtech Investment include:
- Athletics & PE
- District Administrative & Other Back Office Tools
- Finance & Accounting
- Parent/Student Communication & PTA
- Safety, Security, Risk & Compliance
- Student Information Systems (SIS) & Tools
- Classroom & Learning Tools
- Extracurriculars / Before & After School
- Human Resource / Human Capital Management
- Payments
- Special Education & ELL
- Other Departmental Solutions
Growing in the EdTech Market with ParentSquare
Hear why founders love working with Serent
”Serent is different from other firms, they bring more integrity to the table, and they are going to do what they say they are going to do. They are capable, ‘salt of the earth’ people that added a tremendous amount of value and operational resources that helped us grow Diamond Mind. ”
Katherine Novikov Co-Founder, Diamond Mind
”In terms of Serent as a partner, they have shown us that they are exactly who they said they were: an experienced guide who could advise us on how to create value and unlock growth as an organization—all while maintaining our unique culture, mission, and vision as a company.”
Jay Eckard Co-Founder and Board Member, USATestprep
”C2 Education was able to bring on a level of expertise to the board of directors that they wouldn’t have been able to without Serent.”
David Kim Founder and Vice Chairman, C2 Education
Contact Our Edtech Team
Our Edtech Companies
Our Edtech Content and Resources
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read articleAbout Serent Capital
Serent Capital usually commits $20 million to $100 million in equity to profitable, fast-growing K12 edtech companies with flexibility in structure and ownership, including openness to substantial minority (30%+) and majority (50-100%) investments. As part of every investment, Serent commits significant resources, including our in-house growth team and human capital / recruiting team, to help our companies accelerate growth. Serent never charges management fees, consulting fees, or board observation fees. At Serent Capital, we believe in being more than a financial partner – we believe in being an incentives-aligned, growth-oriented true business partner.
Education Verticals We Invest In
- Early Childhood
- Higher Ed
- K12
- Professional Development