Leading premier academic program provider Summer Discovery expands into the U.K. with acquisition of Oxford Summer Courses, continuing its global growth story with backing from long-standing investor Verlinvest
- Strategic investment marks Summer Discovery’s further expansion into the U.K. and Europe, broadening student access to prestigious universities globally
NEW YORK, N.Y., November 11, 2024 — Summer Discovery, the largest provider of premier academic and experiential enrichment programs for students in partnership with elite universities, announced today that it is acquiring Oxford Summer Courses, a U.K.-based company specializing in academic enrichment summer programs in the U.K. This strategic acquisition expands Summer Discovery’s global footprint and strengthens its offerings for students around the world.
Summer Discovery has a long history and heritage of academic excellence and supporting students’ personal growth. The company was founded in 1966 by Judy and Mike Musiker and quickly became the market leader of pre-college, enrichment, and academic summer programs for students from grades 1 – 12. Bob and Jimmy Musiker took over the business from their parents and then sold it to Verlinvest, the family-backed evergreen investment firm, remaining as engaged minority owners and board members.
Summer Discovery’s current portfolio of university partners now includes over 50% of Ivy League and over 15 top elite public and private universities across the U.S. The company is now targeting Europe as its next growth frontier. Earlier this year, Summer Discovery launched its enterprise partnership division, seeking to forge partnerships with leading brands across various industries, creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
Adriane Thorpe, CEO of Summer Discovery said: “We are thrilled to welcome Oxford Summer Courses to Summer Discovery and look forward to integrating and growing their exceptional summer programs together. This acquisition aligns with our shared vision of providing students with transformative academic summer experiences, while also supporting our strategy of continued growth and innovation in the industry.”
The partnership with Oxford Summer Courses furthers Summer Discovery’s expansion into Europe by adding additional U.K. locations to its network. Oxford Summer Courses delivers high-quality academic programs at prestigious U.K. institutions, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and renowned boarding schools like Eton College. The integration of Oxford Summer Courses will diversify Summer Discovery’s offerings, enhancing students’ academic and personal growth on a global scale.
These pre-college summer programs deliver measurable outcomes by bolstering students’ college applications, enabling them to leverage real-world experiences that demonstrate passion, commitment, and academic excellence.
Harry Hortyn and Rob Phipps co-founders and CEO of Oxford Summer Courses said: “We are very excited to partner with Summer Discovery and to continue our focus on high-quality educational opportunities worldwide. Summer Discovery has cemented itself as a leading summer travel provider for kids and students and we are thrilled to take our business to the next level with Verlinvest’s experienced team by our side.”
Alexander Rosenthal, Director in Verlinvest’s New York office said: “Summer Discovery has expanded its partnerships and programs considerably over the past few years, by focusing on delivering an incredible experience for students at premier universities. The acquisition of Oxford Summer Courses will bring prestigious U.K. programs into the Summer Discovery portfolio and supports our ambitions to be the largest summer academic program provider globally. This acquisition is a testament to Verlinvest’s unique commitment to embrace partnerships with founders and to back businesses driving consumer revolutions.”
The group will leverage Verlinvest’s experience growing companies successfully within its lifestyle portfolio in the U.S. and Europe to execute an ambitious expansion plan focused on collaborating with founders of educational summer programs globally. Verlinvest has previously backed businesses in adjacent sectors, including recent investments in K1 Speed and Insomnia Cookies. Oxford Summer Courses’ co-founders and CEOs Harry Hortyn and Rob Phipps will remain in leadership roles throughout the transition.
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