SchoolWise Partners
SchoolWise Partners is a Miami-based M&A advisory and brokerage firm exclusively serving the U.S. education sector, providing sell-side, buy-side, and consulting services to private school owners and corporate education providers through its 500+ buyer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SchoolWise Partners does
SchoolWise Partners is a Miami-based M&A advisory and brokerage firm focused exclusively on the education sector in the United States. Founded in 2018 by Ben Mayer and Charlie Zamora after they built and exited Endeavor Schools (a 42-school, 11-state portfolio sold to a private equity group in 2018), the firm provides sell-side advisory, buy-side advisory, and consulting services to private school owners, early childhood education providers, and corporate/PE-backed education platforms. The firm is structured as SchoolWise LLC, operates under the supervision of Florida-licensed Dreamlife Realty Services Corp. for real estate-related brokerage, and has no external equity backing, with ownership concentrated in the two co-founders. Its product surface is professional services rather than technology: a 150-day, process-driven sell-side engagement (valuation, confidential blind auction, due diligence management, closing support), buy-side target identification and transaction management, and strategic consulting. Supporting the core advisory practice, the firm operates two sub-brands (Education101.com and PreK.com) that function as content and resource platforms.
The firm monetizes through project-based advisory fees tied to transaction value and complexity; pricing is custom-quoted and not publicly disclosed, but typically follows boutique M&A advisory conventions (a percentage of transaction value) and is supported by complimentary initial consultations and confidential business valuations to drive funnel conversion. Its go-to-market is consultative enterprise field sales, reaching clients via direct relationship-building, industry conferences, content marketing (blog, email newsletter), and a referral network of attorneys and accountants. Cumulative disclosed scale signals include $900M+ in aggregate advised transaction volume, 300+ private schools advised, 75+ sell-side engagements completed at a 95% closing rate, an Inc. 5000 #470 ranking in 2023, and a proprietary buyer network of 500+ domestic and international strategic operators, PE firms, family offices, and high-net-worth investors that the firm leverages to run competitive auctions. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, consistent with a high-productivity boutique model.
SchoolWise Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SchoolWise Partners
- Legal name
- SchoolWise LLC
- Website
- https://schoolwisepartners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SchoolWise Partners is a Miami-based M&A advisory and brokerage firm exclusively serving the U.S. education sector, providing sell-side, buy-side, and consulting services to private school owners and corporate education providers through its 500+ buyer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SchoolWise Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Education M&A Advisory
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Education Funding Planning (College/529) (FSAEAAAF)
Keywords
Where SchoolWise Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SchoolWise Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Sell-Side Advisory Services: The firm earns fees from representing school owners in the sale of their education businesses and real estate. This includes valuation, marketing, buyer identification, negotiation, and transaction management through closing.
- Buy-Side Advisory Services: Advisory fees for assisting corporate providers with platform investments and add-on acquisitions of high-performing private schools, including strategy development, target identification, valuation, and transaction management.
- Consulting Services: Strategic consulting engagements with school owners including valuation guidance and business advisory services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Advisory Engagement |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
SchoolWise Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SchoolWise Partners is an M&A advisory and brokerage firm that provides sell-side and buy-side advisory services, valuation guidance, and end-to-end transaction management exclusively to private school owners and corporate education providers in the United States. The firm operates a confidential blind auction process using its proprietary network of 500+ domestic and international buyers, executing transactions over a 150-day engagement cycle. Real estate brokerage components are conducted under the supervision of Dreamlife Realty Services Corp., a licensed Florida brokerage.
Product overview
SchoolWise Partners operates as an M&A advisory and brokerage firm offering a unified platform of sell-side and buy-side advisory services exclusively for the education sector. Their core offerings include Sell-Side Advisory Services (the primary offering featuring a 150-day timeline-driven auction process, proprietary buyer network of 500+ buyers, and comprehensive transaction management from engagement through closing), Buy-Side Advisory Services (for strategic buyers and private equity platforms seeking acquisitions), and Consulting Services (including valuation guidance). The firm also operates two supplementary brands: Education101.com and PreK.com, which serve as content and resource platforms supporting their advisory business. The company distinguishes itself through its unique combination of investment banking expertise and actual school ownership experience (previously operated 42 private schools), with over $900 million in transaction volume advised.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Education101.com: Educational resource platform operated by SchoolWise Partners
- PreK.com
Products and services
- Sell-Side Advisory Services Investment banking-caliber sell-side advisory services for private school owners, including strategic positioning, confidential blind auction processes, buyer network access, valuation, due diligence management, and transaction closing support. Designed for owners of private schools and early childhood education providers seeking liquidity or exit.
- Buy-Side Advisory Services Acquisition advisory services for corporate providers and strategic buyers seeking platform investments and add-on acquisitions of high-performing private schools, including strategy development, target identification, negotiation, transaction management, valuation, underwriting, and closing support. Targeted at strategic operators, private equity platforms, family offices, and high-net-worth investors.
- Consulting Services Strategic consulting engagements for school owners covering valuation guidance, corporate development, and merchant banking support. Designed for school owners evaluating transactions, valuations, or strategic options prior to a formal sale process.
Quantifiable outcome
- $900+ million in transaction volume advised
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SchoolWise Partners
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SchoolWise Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SchoolWise Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Dreamlife Realty Services Corp.coreSchoolWise Partners operates under the supervision of Dreamlife Realty Services Corp., a licensed real estate brokerage in the State of Florida. This partnership enables the firm to conduct real estate-related brokerage activities in compliance with Chapter 475, Florida Statutes, for transactions involving school real estate assets alongside business sales.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SchoolWise Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lincoln International: Global mid-market investment bank with a dedicated education practice advising on M&A transactions across K-12, higher education, and edtech. Comparable as a larger incumbent offering overlapping education M&A services as part of a broader portfolio.
- Huron Consulting Group: Large professional services firm with a K-12 and higher education practice providing strategy and M&A advisory. Comparable as a broader incumbent that overlaps with SchoolWise on education-sector transaction advisory and consulting.
- Piper Sandler: Diversified investment bank with a dedicated education practice advising on M&A and capital markets transactions for K-12, higher education, and education services companies. Comparable as a broader incumbent with education-sector deal advisory.
- Alvarez & Marsal: Global professional services firm with an education industry practice providing transaction advisory, restructuring, and operational consulting. Comparable as a broader incumbent with overlapping education M&A capabilities.
Direct peers
- Mirus Capital Advisors: Middle-market investment bank with a focused education services practice advising on sell-side and buy-side transactions for private schools and education companies. Directly comparable in segment focus and deal size.
- Berkery Noyes: Independent investment bank with a dedicated education and education technology practice, providing M&A advisory to private and public education companies. Comparable as a specialist advisor with education sector focus and similar mid-market transaction size.
- Education Growth Partners: Education-focused M&A and capital advisory firm serving private school owners, edtech companies, and education service providers. Directly comparable as a specialist education M&A advisor with sell-side and buy-side capabilities.
Emerging players
- Stax: Strategy consulting firm with an education practice providing commercial due diligence and transaction support to PE investors in education and related services. Comparable as a sector-focused advisor serving PE buyers in education M&A.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
SchoolWise Partners social profiles
Digital presenceSchoolWise Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SchoolWise Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SchoolWise Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SchoolWise Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SchoolWise Partners
What does SchoolWise Partners do?
SchoolWise Partners is an M&A advisory and brokerage firm that provides sell-side and buy-side advisory services, valuation guidance, and end-to-end transaction management exclusively to private school owners and corporate education providers in the United States. The firm operates a confidential blind auction process using its proprietary network of 500+ domestic and international buyers, executing transactions over a 150-day engagement cycle. Real estate brokerage components are conducted under the supervision of Dreamlife Realty Services Corp., a licensed Florida brokerage.
Is SchoolWise Partners a public or private company?
SchoolWise Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SchoolWise Partners founded?
SchoolWise Partners was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SchoolWise Partners based?
SchoolWise Partners is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does SchoolWise Partners make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sell-Side Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are buy-Side Advisory Services and consulting Services.
Who are SchoolWise Partners's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lincoln International, Huron Consulting Group, Piper Sandler and Alvarez & Marsal. Direct peers are Mirus Capital Advisors, Berkery Noyes and Education Growth Partners. Stax is listed as an emerging player.
Does SchoolWise Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for SchoolWise Partners.
What industry is SchoolWise Partners in?
SchoolWise Partners's product category is Education M&A Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAAAF, Education Funding Planning (College/529). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 6282.