Essential Learning Has Been Acquired by Vista Equity Partners
March 15 2012 - 3:13PM
Business Wire
Essential Learning, LLC (“Essential Learning”), the leading
provider of interactive e-learning solutions for behavioral and
community health, substance abuse, corrections, developmental
disability and child welfare organizations throughout North America
today announced that it has been acquired by Vista Equity Partners
(“Vista”), a private equity firm with $6 billion in committed
capital.
“We are excited to have found a great partner in Vista to help
us grow our business further for the benefit of our customers and
the markets we serve,” said Susan Erskine, Co-Founder and CEO of
Essential Learning. “The breadth of operational experience that
Vista brings to the table will help position Essential Learning for
the future as we continue to provide leading e-learning solutions.”
Essential Learning’s senior management team will continue to lead
the organization. In addition, after an exciting and successful
career, Lorraine Watson, Co-Founder and President of Essential
Learning, will be retiring as planned with succession planning
already underway.
Essential Learning provides market-leading e-learning solutions
for organizations with regulatory training requirements and
continuing education needs. Essential Learning training content is
developed in collaboration with leading national and state
associations and subject matter experts, affording clients
convenient and affordable access to relevant, current and impactful
curricula on clinical, human services, workforce development and
compliance topics. Training assignment, reporting and tracking
features of our LMS enable organizations to simplify training
management overall, and to effectively document compliance with
many of the requirements of funding and regulatory bodies.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Essential Learning, a
company that has clearly demonstrated expertise in helping its
customers achieve success meeting their e-learning needs,” said
Alan Cline, Principal and Co-Head of Vista Equity Partners
Foundation Fund. “Essential Learning fits our investment and
operating profile and we are tremendously excited to help the
Essential Learning team continue to grow their business.”
St. Charles Capital, a national middle-market investment banking
firm focused on mergers and acquisitions and private capital
raising for technology, healthcare, financial services, and
diversified industries companies, advised Essential Learning on the
transaction.
About Essential Learning
Essential Learning was founded in 2002 by former healthcare
executives with extensive clinical and administrative experience in
the behavioral health industry. Essential Learning has grown to
become the leading provider of interactive e-learning solutions to
behavioral and community health, substance abuse, corrections,
developmental disability and child welfare service organizations
throughout North America. Essential Learning’s solutions address
the training and continuing education needs of its clients that
range from less than 10 to over 10,000 employees. For further
information please visit www.essentiallearning.com.
About Vista Equity Partners
Vista Equity Partners, a U.S. based private equity firm with
offices in San Francisco, Chicago and Austin, currently invests
approximately $6 billion in capital committed to dynamic,
successful technology-based organizations led by world-class
management teams with long-term perspective. Vista is a value-added
investor, contributing professional expertise and multi-level
support towards companies realizing their full potential. Vista’s
investment approach is anchored by a sizable long-term capital
base, experience in structuring technology-oriented transactions,
and proven management techniques that yield flexibility and
opportunity in private equity investing. For further information
please visit www.vistaequitypartners.com.