LOS ANGELES and CHICAGO, Oct. 25, 2023 – Excolere Equity Partners (“Excolere Equity Partners”), a premier buyout investor concentrating on the education and human capital management sectors, has announced a strategic partnership with GCM Grosvenor’s Elevate strategy. This alliance marks a significant step for Excolere Equity Partners, founded in 2022 by Tony Miller, former Co-Founder and COO of The Vistria Group and Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, alongside partners Pete Davis and Marcelus DeCoulode.
Tony Miller articulated the vision behind Excolere Equity Partners and the synergy with GCM Grosvenor, stating, “We established Excolere to amplify the critical role of education and human capital management in fostering economic and societal advancement, while simultaneously delivering exceptional returns for our investors. Our collaboration with GCM Grosvenor enables us to expedite the recruitment of top-tier talent and establish a best-in-class operational framework right from the outset, all while maintaining complete autonomy over our investment process and daily firm management. We are encouraged by the initial endorsement from GCM Grosvenor and other institutional investors and anticipate sustained positive momentum.”
Kevin Nickelberry, Co-Head of GCM Grosvenor’s Elevate strategy, highlighted the strategic rationale for the partnership, “Our alliance with Excolere Equity Partners aligns with GCM Grosvenor’s long-standing tradition of partnering with outstanding founders early in their firm’s development. We are enthusiastic about supporting the Excolere team as they continue to expand their platform.” Elizabeth Browne, also Co-Head of the Elevate strategy, added, “Tony and his partners bring an unparalleled wealth of investment, operational, and public policy acumen to the launch of Excolere Equity Partners.”
Excolere Equity Partners is strategically focused on high-growth segments within the education and human capital management (HCM) sector. These areas reflect the ongoing transformation in how businesses approach talent acquisition, upskilling, and reskilling. This focus also addresses the needs of working adults seeking to enhance their skills and credentials in an increasingly skills-based economy, and the evolution of the pre-K through 12 education system towards more evidence-based and personalized instructional methods aimed at improving learning outcomes.
The firm has already achieved early success, demonstrated by an oversubscribed investment in EPS School Specialty, a leading provider of curriculum products and services that enhance literacy and math skills for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This investment underscores Excolere Equity Partners‘ commitment to impactful investments within the education sector.
This strategic partnership with Excolere Equity Partners is a natural extension of GCM Grosvenor’s 25-year history of supporting emerging and diverse firm founders. As of June 30, 2023, GCM Grosvenor managed over $18 billion in assets under management (“AUM”) invested with small and emerging managers, and more than $15 billion of AUM with diverse managers, showcasing their dedication to fostering growth and diversity within the private equity landscape.
Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal counsel for Excolere Equity Partners, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel for GCM Grosvenor in this partnership.
About Excolere Equity Partners
Excolere Equity Partners is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to investments within the Education and Human Capital Management sectors. Built upon a deep understanding of the fundamental role these sectors play in driving both economic and societal progress, Excolere Equity Partners leverages its extensive sector experience, public policy insights, and operational expertise to accelerate growth and enhance the impact of its portfolio companies. For further details, please visit www.excolerepartners.com.
About GCM Grosvenor
GCM Grosvenor (Nasdaq: GCMG) is a global leader in alternative asset management solutions, managing approximately $76 billion in assets across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and absolute return investment strategies. With over 50 years of specialization in alternatives, the firm is committed to delivering value to its clients through its cross-asset class expertise and adaptable investment platform.
GCM Grosvenor’s experienced team of around 530 professionals serves a global client base of institutional and individual investors. Headquartered in Chicago, GCM Grosvenor has offices in New York, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Sydney. More information is available at www.gcmgrosvenor.com.
About GCM Grosvenor’s Elevate Strategy
Launched in January 2023, GCM Grosvenor’s Elevate strategy is designed to make catalytic investments in emerging private equity firms, focusing on lower and middle-market buyout strategies across various industries. Elevate utilizes the broad GCM Grosvenor platform to offer extensive support to firm founders through consultative resources across crucial non-investment functions. To learn more about Elevate, visit www.gcmgrosvenor.com/sponsor-solutions.
Media Contacts
GCM Grosvenor
Tom Johnson and Abigail Ruck
H/Advisors Abernathy
[email protected] / [email protected]
212-371-5999
Excolere Equity Partners
[email protected]
310-867-2758
