Lemnis, a public charity focused on expanding educational opportunity, announced that it has acquired Mainstay, a developer of AI-enabled student support technologies used by more than 200 colleges and universities. Following the transaction, Mainstay will transition from a public benefit corporation into a nonprofit division within Lemnis.
Founded in 2014, Mainstay has developed AI-driven communication tools designed to improve student outcomes across higher education. Its technology has been shown through randomized controlled trials to increase FAFSA completion, enrollment, registration, and student performance. Research from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University found that targeted outreach powered by the platform improved course performance by a full letter grade for first-generation students in large lecture settings.
Mainstay is also known for earlier research conducted with the Brookings Institution and Georgia State University, which found that its conversational AI reduced “summer melt,” the phenomenon where accepted students fail to enroll, by 20%.
The acquisition marks Lemnis’ second transaction in 2026 as part of its broader Collective strategy, which aims to bring together mission-aligned organizations focused on improving learner success. Earlier this year, Lemnis acquired InsideTrack, a nonprofit that has supported more than 3.6 million learners over the past 25 years. Both organizations will continue delivering their existing services while benefiting from shared resources and long-term investment.
Mainstay’s transition to a nonprofit structure is expected to support its long-term mission of improving access and outcomes in higher education by combining AI capabilities with human-centered support.
KEY QUOTES:
“This transaction reflects our conviction that the next chapter of education will be shaped by organizations that successfully combine breakthrough technology with the empathy, support and care that only humans can provide. Expanding opportunity for students in an increasingly complex world requires reimagining how technology and human connection work together to deliver the kinds of learning experiences that every student deserves.”
Melissa Johnston, Founding CEO of Lemnis
“Emerging technologies have tremendous potential to help more students navigate the path to and through college. But that only works if they’re built and implemented in ways that improve—not reduce—human connection and interaction. For more than a decade, our work has been about helping institutions bring evidence-based, technology-enabled strategies to bear on helping students take the next step in their educational journey. Our nonprofit structure will enable us to deepen and sustain our impact in unlocking opportunity for more students.”
Tony Frey, CEO of Mainstay
