Digital English language pathway program CultureWorks has entered a new partnership with OKR Financial to “significantly” increase investment in the Canada-based company and further support its students.
Following the switch to virtual in 2020 as the global health pandemic limited face-to-face teaching, CultureWorks was able to grow student enrolment, open centres around the world and continue to provide “innovative” pathway options thanks to support from OKR.
Support from the equity financing specialist included expert consultation and coaching as well as investment. The partners have collaborated since 2016.
“We’re going to have so much fun taking our successful model out into the world”
“A made-in-Canada, university Senate approved solution is now available to Canadian post-secondary partners looking to innovate their pathways,” CultureWorks founder Tina Bax said.
“We’re going to have so much fun taking our successful model out into the world and expanding options for partners and students. 95% of our students are studying offshore right now, and we anticipate increased diversity each term.
“It’s great to have the stability at home in Canada, and the financial power to differentiate ourselves in the market again.”
CultureWorks is adding four international locations in 2021, new destination partnerships and programs. It is also innovating pathways, which it says is aimed at increasing accessibility to partner schools.
The centres support program delivery, recruitment efforts, and brand expansion for CultureWorks and its educational partners, the company noted.
“CultureWorks has always been an innovator in the digital education space, and we have seen over the past year how critical it is to effectively integrate technology into pathway programs,” the company’s CEO Paul Stafford explained.
“The significant investment by OKR allows us to accelerate our growth into new markets, and we are rapidly building out our infrastructure currently. We are excited at the opportunity we have in front of us, and we are focused on delivering results for our university and college partners in the coming years.”
Investment partner at the alternative finance company, Wesley Mills, added that OKR is “pleased to support companies with high potential such as CultureWorks as they seek to educate young minds and help change the world”.
