FocalPoint Advises EducationDynamics on its Refinancing by WhiteHorse Capital Management and Encina Business Credit

September 16, 2020

Source: FocalPoint Partners, LLC

EducationDynamics, LLC (“EducationDynamics” or the “Company”) has raised $80 million from WhiteHorse Capital Management, LLC (“WhiteHorse”). The Company raised capital to finance the acquisition of key assets of Thruline Marketing, Inc. (“Thruline Marketing”) from Oaktree Capital Management as well as to refinance its existing debt. In addition, the Company raised $12.5 million from Encina Business Credit, LLC (“Encina”) in the form of a revolving credit facility. EducationDynamics is a portfolio company of Prudential Private Capital (“Prudential”) and Muirlands Capital. FocalPoint Securities, LLC (“FocalPoint”) served as the exclusive investment bank to the Company.

The Company provides inquiry generation services through its Prospect Delivery division as well as marketing, student retention, and market research services through its Enrollment Management Services division. The Company acquired Thruline Marketing's agency-of-record business, which provides paid-digital marketing, traditional marketing, and SEO management services for more than 20 higher education institutions. In addition, EducationDynamics acquired a portion of Thruline Marketing's inquiry generation business, most notably its industry-leading call center operations, including its call centers in Lenexa, Kansas and Tampa, Florida.

Bruce Douglas, CEO of EducationDynamics, commented, “EducationDynamics has long been a leader in the higher education industry, through the breadth and depth of its marketing services. Our new, powerful combination gives us an even wider array of marketing channels and innovative, transparent solutions to utilize in identifying prospective students for our school partners, thus enabling us to be an even more valuable partner to the many higher education institutions we serve. The addition of the broad base of Thruline Marketing's agency of record marketing capabilities, including its traditional marketing and SEO management expertise, combined with EducationDynamics' digital marketing, market research, and enrollment management contact center services, will enable EducationDynamics to be a more expansive marketing services player in the higher education industry."

Mr. Douglas added, “The FocalPoint team was extremely professional. Their process identified an attractive financing option that met our stated closing timeline, and helped us negotiate a structure that provides the resources to grow the Company.”

Stephen Szejner, CFA, Managing Director at Prudential, noted, “The FocalPoint team pushed hard to get this deal done. They managed every stage of the process, and we are pleased with the outcome.”

Managing Director Thomas Mills, member of FocalPoint's Capital Markets leadership team, said, “This deal is another win for our Capital Markets and Sponsor Coverage practices. In a short window, we delivered a solution that satisfies our client’s and its financial sponsor’s objectives.”

About EducationDynamics, LLC

EducationDynamics is the industry leader in helping colleges and universities find the highest quality student prospects to achieve their enrollment goals. As the trusted partner to more than 900 higher education institutions, EducationDynamics has earned a reputation for providing the resources and expertise required to meet a wide range of industry challenges, delivering inquiry generation and agency-level admissions, marketing, enrollment management, student retention, and technology solutions to universities across the country. To learn more, please visit www.educationdynamics.com.

About WhiteHorse Capital Management, LLC

WhiteHorse Capital Management is the credit affiliate of H.I.G. Capital and provides debt financing to the middle market in the U.S. and Europe. Whitehorse has a broad investment mandate and provides senior and subordinated debt for refinancings, growth capital, acquisitions, buyouts, and balance sheet recapitalizations. To learn more, visit www.whitehorsecapital.com.

About Encina Business Credit, LLC

Encina Business Credit is an independent asset-based lending platform serving middle-market borrowers. The firm provides financing in the form of term loans and revolving lines of credit across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, automotive, oil & gas, business services, distribution, and consumer products. To learn more, visit www.encinabc.com.

About FocalPoint Partners, LLC

FocalPoint is an independent investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private placements, financial restructurings, and special situation transactions. Since 2002, the firm has provided advisory services to middle market clients across eight industry sectors: aerospace and defense, business services, consumer, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrials, and technology/media. With offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Shanghai, and affiliated partner offices around the world, FocalPoint's domestic and international coverage is truly global. To learn more, visit focalpointllc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Please contact Thomas Mills at 312-508-5777 or Clinton Miyazono at 312-508-5782 with any questions about this transaction.

 

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