After sharp declines in equity funding in education and a 66% drop in mergers and acquisitions during 2022, new analysis suggests the year ahead will bring further consolidation and see more listed education groups go private.

OES, an online program partner to universities, is investing in hybrid pathway program TheWorldGrad, delivered in India via Linc Education.

Leverage Edu has raised $22 million in Series B funding to expand into new markets and drive its financial services offer, the study abroad platform has announced. Its overall value is now around $120m.

AI platform Cialfo has raised US$40 million in Series B as it aims to simplify the college application process by connecting high school students, counsellors, families and universities digitally.

The India-based college admissions and education services platform will use the investment to improve its offer and product & technology, expand internationally and grow new verticals.

South Asian overseas education company Leap has raised $55 million in Series C funding led by Owl Ventures, bringing the company's total equity capital raised to date to over $75 million.

Canadian unicorn, ApplyBoard, has raised a further C$375 million (US$300 million) in Series D funding, to enable further global scale and product iteration. One example of this is the rollout of verification portal ApplyProof, said the company.

CultureWorks has entered a new partnership with OKR Financial to "significantly" increase investment in the Canada-based digital pathway provider.