NIIT Learning Systems Limited, through its NIIT Managed Training Services business (NIIT MTS), has acquired SweetRush, Inc., an AI-enabled custom learning experience design firm known for strategic training interventions and work with Fortune 1000 enterprises, professional associations, and not-for-profit organizations.
The transaction was completed via NIIT MTS’ wholly owned subsidiary, NIIT (USA), Inc. NIIT said total consideration will be up to $26 million, including performance-based earnouts payable annually over the next five years, subject to customary adjustments under the definitive agreements.
SweetRush, headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 2001 by Arturo Schwartzberg and Andrei Hedstrom. The company operates with more than 100 team members and an extended network of industry experts across the United States and Costa Rica, supported by a broader pool of learning professionals.
NIIT said the combination is intended to bring SweetRush’s custom, AI-enabled, human-centered learning design capabilities together with NIIT’s scaled, technology-supported managed learning platform. SweetRush’s portfolio includes certification-oriented content and an expanding talent solutions capability, while NIIT MTS provides AI-enabled managed learning services for Global 1000 clients aimed at improving learning outcomes and optimizing learning spend.
NIIT framed the deal as a way to broaden its services mix with strategic learning interventions, certification solutions, and talent solutions, and to deepen its ability to serve clients across enterprise, association, and not-for-profit segments. The company also said it sees an opportunity to extend managed learning engagements to SweetRush’s customer base, shifting more work from project-based relationships to longer-duration arrangements.
SweetRush said the acquisition provides a larger global platform while preserving what it described as its distinct culture and craft, centered on human-focused learning experiences designed to drive measurable business outcomes. SweetRush’s work spans strategy consulting and analysis, bespoke learning solutions, high-performance talent solutions, certification development, and emerging learning technologies such as VR, AR, and AI, and has earned multiple industry awards across learning strategy and innovation categories.
NIIT MTS, established in 1981, operates in more than 30 countries and positions itself as a learning and talent partner for large enterprises, offering managed learning and strategic consulting services to support workforce and skills transformation.
KEY QUOTES
“SweetRush has built a trusted position with discerning clients for whom performance outcomes truly matter. This strategic combination adds award-winning strategic learning interventions and talent solutions to NIIT’s Managed Learning Services platform. Together, we will offer clients the best of human-centered learning craft and global operational scale—powered by technology and AI.”
Sapnesh Lalla, Chief Executive Officer And Executive Director, NIIT MTS
“SweetRush’s culture and craft have always been rooted in care, innovation, and business transformation. Joining NIIT gives us a larger platform to serve clients globally while staying true to what makes SweetRush distinctive – human-centered learning design and experiences that drive business-critical outcomes.”
Danielle Hart, Chief Executive Officer, SweetRush
“This acquisition strengthens NIIT MTS’ ability to serve global enterprises with an expanded, outcome-focused portfolio, combining strategic learning interventions with managed learning delivery and operations at scale.”
Vijay K. Thadani, Vice Chairman And Managing Director, NIIT MTS
“There is perfect synergy in the union of NIIT and SweetRush. Our team, culture, and capabilities are 100% intact. Now we get to leverage the might of NIIT and enhance the ways we support our clients who turn to us when they have mission-critical learning and development initiatives.”
Arturo Schwartzberg, Co-Founder, SweetRush
“SweetRush has been growing our craft to serve the potential of people and their organizations with great care. We see the connection of the NIIT and SweetRush ecosystems as a way to amplify the greater promise of our teams’ transformative impact.”
Andrei Hedstrom, Co-Founder, SweetRush
