Lightspeed Systems, a partner in learning safety and effectiveness, has acquired CatchOn Inc., an ENA affiliate and provider of learning analytics for schools. The deal was completed with investment funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners.
The deal advances Lightspeed’s mission of providing technology that fosters safe and effective learning services for K-12 students across its network of 32,000 schools. CatchOn uses real-time data analytics that captures and shares insights on technology usage, data privacy, and student engagement to create efficient, student-focused educational strategies.
“CatchOn’s innovative data analytics tools are highly complementary to Lightspeed’s web-filtering, analytics, and online monitoring solutions,” said Brian Thomas, president & CEO of Lightspeed Systems. “Together, we will have the technologies, capabilities, and team required to accelerate our mission of keeping students safe, and learning equitable and effective.”
“Since 2016, CatchOn has been empowering education leaders to measure the effectiveness and usage of their online software application investments,” added Jena Draper, CatchOn founder. “In Lightspeed, we are confident that we have found the right home for our data analytics tool. With Lightspeed’s leadership in online safety monitoring and highly complementary capabilities, our combined company is well-positioned to become an even stronger partner for a growing network of educators.”
William Blair & Company served as Lightspeed’s financial advisor and Alston & Bird provided legal counsel. Evercore served as CatchOn’s financial advisor and Kirkland & Ellis and Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP provided legal counsel.