Academedia AB

What Academedia AB does

AcadeMedia AB is the largest education company in Northern Europe, operating more than 700 preschools, primary schools, upper secondary schools, and adult education providers across Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom, and educating roughly 195,000 children, students, and adult participants annually with a workforce of over 19,000 employees. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Stockholm, the company is publicly listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange (ticker ACAD) with family-owned Mellby Gård as the controlling shareholder; it traces its heritage to Hermods (founded 1898) and grew through sustained M&A including NTI, Vittra, Pysslingen, Espira, Berghs, Winford College, FAWZ, Futuregames, and a cluster of 2026 deals (K2 Kompetanse, Chestnut Nursery Schools, Kinderopvang Kindernet, IVA Business School, Prolympia).

The portfolio spans the full education lifecycle through locally branded units: preschool (Pysslingen, Innovitaskolan, Montessori Mondial, Noblaskolan, Vittra, Espira), compulsory school (Innovitaskolan, Prolympia, Pops Academy, Snitz, Änglagårdsskolan), upper secondary (NTI Gymnasiet, Praktiska, Drottning Blankas, Klara, ProCivitas, Rytmus, Cybergymnasiet, LBS Kreativa, Designgymnasiet, and others), and adult/vocational education (Hermods, Berghs, Eductus, KYH, Movant, NTI-skolan, Futuregames, The Game Assembly, Värdyrkeshögskolan). Its proprietary edtech stack includes EdAider (AI-assisted teaching support, minority-owned), EdShare (remote teaching platform for sharing teacher capacity), Omniway (LMS), Linguista (language teaching), Framtidsutveckling (career guidance portals), and Hypocampus (AI-powered medical study platform, minority-owned), supported by the AcadeMediamodellen quality framework and AcadeMedia Academy internal training programs.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through publicly funded per-student school vouchers (skolpeng) in Sweden and equivalent government funding formulas in the other six countries, making AcadeMedia's revenue mechanics subscription-like, contractually recurring, and tied to enrollment rather than discretionary consumer spending. International operations already contribute more than 40% of revenue, with a stated 2030 target of 50%; the company reported SEK 19.8B revenue and 8.2% adjusted EBITA margin in Q3 2026 with 6.6% year-over-year growth. Customers are individual families and municipalities rather than enterprise buyers, producing a highly distributed revenue base with no single-customer concentration.

Name

Academedia AB

Legal name

AcadeMedia AB

Website

http://www.academedia.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

AcadeMedia AB is Northern Europe's largest education company, operating 700+ preschools, primary, secondary, and adult education schools across seven countries and educating roughly 195,000 students annually, funded primarily through public school voucher systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Access & EdTech for Equity (Low-cost Learning, Skills Platforms) (BPAGALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Library & Learning Space Managed Operations (Circulation, Scheduling, Staffing) (EDAEALAL), Skills & Microlearning Marketplaces (Bite-Sized Lessons) (EDAFAIAK)

Keywords

• Private education services
• Preschool and primary education
• Upper secondary education
• Adult vocational training
• Education technology platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Publicly funded education services: AcadeMedia operates schools primarily funded by public funds (skolpeng/school voucher system in Sweden). Revenue comes from municipal funding per student, supplemented by government adult education funding and international operations revenue.
2. International education operations: Revenue from preschools, schools and educational programs abroad including Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, UK, and Germany. International operations now contribute over 40% of total revenue with a target of 50% by 2030.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AcadeMedia operates preschools, primary schools, upper secondary schools, and adult education institutions through a portfolio of owned brands across Sweden and six other European countries, primarily funded through government per-student vouchers. The company also develops and sells proprietary EdTech platforms (EdAider, EdShare, Omniway, Hypocampus, Linguista, Framtidsutveckling) supporting teaching, learning management, and career guidance for its own schools and external customers.

Product overview

Academedia AB is a comprehensive education company operating across the entire education chain from preschool to adult education, with operations in Sweden and six other countries (Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, UK, Germany). The company operates through a portfolio of acquired brands organized into five segments: Preschools (Pysslingen, Innovitaskolan, Montessori Mondial, Noblaskolan, Vittra), Primary Schools (Innovitaskolan, Montessori Mondial, Noblaskolan, Pops Academy, Prolympia, Vittra, Snitz, Änglagårdsskolan), Upper Secondary Schools (Cybergymnasiet, Designgymnasiet, Donnergymnasiet, Drottning Blankas, Hagströmska, IHR, Klara, LBS, Mediegymnasiet, NTI, Praktiska, ProCivitas, Rytmus, Sjölins, Snitz), Adult Education (Affärshögskolan, Berghs, EC utbildning, Eductus, Futuregames, Hermods, KUI, KYH, Movant, NTI-skolan, SMH, Teknikhögskolan, The Game Assembly, Vårdyrkeshögskolan), and Digital Education Services (EdAider, EdShare, Framtidsutveckling, Hypocampus, Linguista, Omniway). The company also operates international preschools, schools, and adult education through brands like Espira, K2 Kompetanse, Winford College, and FAWZ. Supporting infrastructure includes AcadeMediamodellen for quality management and AcadeMedia Academy for internal training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Affärshögskolan: Authorised higher vocational school within economics, sales, marketing, procurement and project management.
• Berghs School of Communication
• EC utbildning
• Eductus
• Futuregames
• Hermods
• Kompetens-Utvecklings-Institutet (KUI)
• KYH
• Movant
• NTI-skolan
• Sälj & Marknadshögskolan
• Teknikhögskolan
• The Game Assembly
• Vårdyrkeshögskolan
• Pysslingens förskolor
• Innovitaskolan
• Montessori Mondial
• Noblaskolan
• Vittra
• Pops Academy
• Prolympia
• Snitz
• Änglagårdsskolan
• Cybergymnasiet
• Designgymnasiet
• Donnergymnasiet
• Drottning Blankas gymnasieskola
• Hagströmska gymnasiet
• Internationella hotell- och restaurangskolan (IHR)
• Klara teoretiska gymnasiet
• LBS Kreativa gymnasiet
• Mediegymnasiet
• NTI Gymnasiet
• Praktiska Gymnasiet
• ProCivitas gymnasium
• Rytmus musikgymnasium
• Sjölins gymnasium
• EdAider
• EdShare
• Framtidsutveckling
• Hypocampus
• Linguista
• Omniway

Products and services

• Pysslingen Förskolor Preschool services for children from infancy to age 5-6 in Sweden under the Pysslingen brand, with shared values, systematic quality work, and structured learning.
• Montessori Mondial Preschools and Schools Preschool and primary school services in Sweden using a modern, results-oriented Montessori pedagogy delivered by specialist-trained teachers.
• Vittra Preschools and Primary Schools Community-engaged preschool and primary school services in Sweden emphasizing curiosity, happiness, and student-driven learning.
• Innovitaskolan Preschools and Primary Schools Preschool and primary school services combining traditional teaching methods with modern tools and competencies for a changing world.
• Noblaskolan Preschools and Primary Schools Preschool and primary school services based on the pedagogical principle that children who are challenged reach further.
• Pops Academy Primary school (grades 4-9) combining high academic quality with creative arts in singing, music, and dance for children in Sweden.
• Prolympia Schools School services spanning primary through upper secondary education that combine academic learning with elite sports development in Sweden.
• Snitz Schools Small primary and upper secondary schools in Stockholm tailored for students with neuropsychiatric disabilities (NPF) such as autism and ADHD.
• Drottning Blankas Gymnasieskola Upper secondary education services across 26 schools in Sweden offering a combination of college preparatory and vocational programs with a strong student-focused commitment.
• NTI Gymnasiet Upper secondary education services across Sweden focused on technology, science, and innovation, providing students with digital expertise and new-technology knowledge.
• Praktiska Gymnasiet Vocational upper secondary education services across 34 schools in Sweden aimed at direct entry into the workforce after graduation.
• Cybergymnasiet Upper secondary education services in Sweden offering a wide range of programs and orientations, including both vocational and college preparatory pathways.
• LBS Kreativa Gymnasiet Upper secondary education services in Sweden preparing students for creative-industry careers such as game development, media, music production, graphic design, and architecture.
• Hermods Adult Education Distance-based adult education services in Sweden covering broad academic and vocational subjects, with extensive experience in adult learning.
• NTI-skolan Adult Distance Education Teacher-led adult distance education services in Sweden covering multiple professional and academic subjects, with 50+ years of operation.
• Berghs School of Communication Adult communication education services in Sweden offering both short courses and longer professional programs for the communications industry, founded 1941.
• Futuregames Adult and higher vocational education in game development and technology offered in Sweden and Poland by a world-ranked game-development school.
• Eductus Adult education services in Sweden covering labor market training and municipal adult education (komvux), with language and integration expertise.
• K2 Kompetanse Adult Education Upper secondary adult education services in Norway operated through eight campuses across the country's largest cities.
• EdAider AI-powered digital education service providing insights about student needs and development, automating tasks and offering classroom and distance teaching tools.
• EdShare Remote-teaching platform enabling schools to share qualified teacher competence via distance delivery to address teacher shortages and improve educational equity.
• Omniway Learning Platform Learning management system for schools that simplifies workflows and facilitates daily operations for educators, administrators and students.
• Hypocampus Digital study platform for medical students and doctors built on pedagogical and cognitive science and powered by the Cortexio AI platform.
• Linguista Language teaching services for schools in Sweden covering modern languages, mother tongue instruction, and study guidance delivered via distance teaching.
• Framtidsutveckling Career Guidance Platforms Career-guidance platforms for young adults and professionals including Studier.se, Framtid.se, GymnasieGuiden.se, YHguiden.se, and FragaSYV.se in Sweden.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68% of schools with challenging student backgrounds outperform statistical expectations based on SALSA model vs 43% nationally
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kinderopvang KindernetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Dutch preschool and afterschool group with 40 facilities and 1,430 childcare places. Reported net revenue of approximately EUR 18.4 million in 2025 with adjusted EBITA exceeding group's profitability target. Acquisition expands Dutch portfolio to nearly 100 units.
• Chestnut Nursery SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026UK-based preschool operator with 21 preschools serving 2,100 children. First UK acquisition for AcadeMedia. CEO cited significant market potential following UK's comprehensive preschool reform.
• K2 KompetansecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Norwegian adult education provider operating 8 campuses across Norway's largest cities. Reported net revenue of approximately NOK 80 million in 2025. Complements existing Norwegian operations through Espira.
• Berghs School of CommunicationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 October 2023Swedish communication education school with SEK 84 million revenue. Acquisition strengthens AcadeMedia's position in private adult education market in Sweden and internationally.
• Winford CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 August 2023Dutch private school group with 10 schools and approximately 600 students. Makes AcadeMedia active in Netherlands and Germany with annual turnover of approximately EUR 13.6 million.
• FAWZ (Fürstenwalder Aus- und Weiterbildungszentrum)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2022German education provider with operations from preschool through adult education. Purchase involved EUR 19 million. Supports growth in Berlin/Brandenburg region.
• Changemaker Educations AB (Futuregames)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2022Operator of well-regarded game design school Futuregames. Acquired for 60 million SEK. Expands AcadeMedia's presence in international gaming education market.
• SandviksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2022Acquired for $9.7 million to expand educational products division. Sandviks creates books and digital products to develop children's reading and learning.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GEMS Education: One of the world's largest K-12 operators with schools primarily in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, plus a growing European presence. Broader and more globally diversified than AcadeMedia but comparable in running school networks at scale across multiple geographies.
• Nord Anglia Education: Premium international schools group owned by EQT (AcadeMedia's former owner) operating 80+ schools globally. Comparable multi-country K-12 operator but positioned at the premium tuition end of the market rather than publicly funded.
• Pearson plc: FTSE-listed global education company spanning K-12 content, assessment and virtual schools. Adjacent rather than directly competing with AcadeMedia, but comparable as a large-scale European-headquartered education operator with a school services portfolio.
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions: US-listed global provider of childcare and early education with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. Comparable to AcadeMedia's preschool segment (Pysslingen, Espira, Chestnut, Kindernet) but in the private-pay childcare rather than publicly funded model.

Direct peers

• International Schools Partnership (ISP): Operator of 80+ international and local schools across multiple continents, owned by CVC Capital Partners. Closely comparable multi-country K-12 operator pursuing acquisition-led growth in similar geographies to AcadeMedia's UK, Netherlands and Germany push.
• Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES): Swedish publicly listed school operator running bilingual K-9 and upper secondary schools funded via the same skolpeng voucher system. Direct competitor to AcadeMedia in Swedish free schools with overlapping target families and similar cost structure.
• Inspired Education: Global premium schools group operating 110+ schools across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Same multi-country, multi-brand K-12 operator playbook with PE backing (Nordic Capital, GIC), directly comparable to AcadeMedia's European footprint expansion.
• Kunskapsskolan: Swedish K-12 operator with its own personalized-learning pedagogical model, also publicly funded via skolpeng. Direct competitor in Swedish free schools with similar enrollment economics and pedagogical brand positioning.
• Cognita Schools: UK-headquartered schools operator running 80+ premium and mainstream schools across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Comparable multi-brand, multi-country K-12 roll-up model with similar acquisition-driven geographic expansion.

Emerging players

• Kindred Education / Stepstone Group peers: Smaller Swedish and Nordic private school operators (e.g., Montessori-minded preschools and niche K-12 chains) that compete with AcadeMedia's preschool and K-12 segments in specific Swedish municipalities. Useful for understanding competitive pressure at the local school level.

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/academedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/academedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/academedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A23 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Academedia AB