Global education company Guidewell Education has received a strategic growth investment from Eagle Merchant Partners. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Guidewell’s evolution, positioning the company to accelerate its expansion and deepen its impact on students worldwide.
Guidewell has built a reputation for delivering personalized academic mentorship, college counseling, test preparation, and tutoring services. Since 2021, the company has pursued a deliberate acquisition strategy to strengthen its platform and diversify its offerings. Its portfolio now includes Applerouth Tutoring, Summit Educational Group, UES Education, Metro Academic Prep, and College MatchPoint—each contributing unique expertise and regional reach. Collectively, these brands enable Guidewell to serve approximately 22,000 students annually across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
As part of the new investment, Guidewell also announced the acquisition of Reach Cambridge, a UK-based provider of summer academic and cultural programs hosted at the University of Cambridge. Reach is known for curating transformative experiences that blend rigorous academics with immersive cultural engagement, attracting students from around the world. The addition of Reach Cambridge not only enhances Guidewell’s international footprint but also reinforces its commitment to offering high-quality, globally relevant educational opportunities.
Eagle Merchant Partners, led by Drew Foster and David Kim, brings deep experience in scaling consumer-focused businesses. Their investment in Guidewell is the second deployment from Eagle’s recently closed Fund II and represents the firm’s ninth transaction in the consumer services sector. With Eagle’s backing, Guidewell plans to accelerate its growth initiatives, expand its service offerings, and continue acquiring complementary education businesses that align with its mission.
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“We believe deeply in the power of in-person experiences where students can connect with peers and mentors, and Reach is a summer experience that our students have benefited from on a number of levels. The investment by Eagle Merchant Partners made this a reality, and we are so pleased to be linking arms with Eagle to help accelerate our mission to serve more students with transformative educational experiences.”
Billy Downing, Founder of Guidewell Education
“We are thrilled to partner with Billy and the entire Guidewell Education team. Guidewell Education has established itself as a leader in the education services sector, and we see tremendous opportunity to build on that foundation, expand globally, and positively impact even more students and families.”
Drew Foster
