Australian digital platform StudyMe has announced it has been acquired by US-based student recruitment firm Wellspring International Education.
The acquisition, which was agreed for an undisclosed fee, will allow Wellspring to expand its digital offering in connecting students to universities with StudyMe’s technology.
“This is a super exciting moment for StudyMe. Only a few short years ago, StudyMe was just an idea and a few sketches in a notebook,” StudyMe founder, Mark Pettitt, said.
“Today, we have more than 40,000 students from 150 countries connecting with universities from all over the world. I’m delighted with the possibilities this new stage will bring,” he added.
The acquisition has been described as a “combination of resources, services and expertise” to improve search experience for students and universities, with added help on student outcomes.
“The combined power of StudyMe’s digital platform and a proven student-recruitment organisation like Wellspring creates a turnkey solution for students and institutions that is unlike any other in the sector,” StudyMe’s CEO David Bushey commented.
“Only a few short years ago, StudyMe was just an idea and a few sketches in a notebook”
The company has confirmed it will continue to operate under the StudyMe brand.
Bushey will remain as StudyMe’s president going forward, and its founder Pettitt will go on to join the Wellspring board of directors, as well as continuing in his current role as CEO of Edified.
“His creative force led the development of StudyMe’s platform and unique approach, and his input will be invaluable in his new position on the Wellspring board,” said Wellspring CEO Greg Shrader of Pettitt.
“Wellspring couldn’t be more excited about its acquisition of the StudyMe platform, which provides an innovative approach to direct student recruiting,” he continued.
“StudyMe enables universities to target populations of students that are best suited to their school’s mission and goals.”
StudyMe was founded by Pettitt in 2020, after two years of work to set up and launch it. The platform facilitates matches and “meaningful conversations” between students and universities, and is designed to help students be “discovered” by institutions.
Wellspring already services students from 48 countries to help them with their journey to study in US colleges, with offices across the world, as well as providing complete services to its university partners including the University of Arizona and the University of Oregon.