ETS Strategic Capital has got talent – Kira Talent, that is: the New Jersey-based capital company has acquired a majority stake in Kira Talent, the video-based assessment platform for university and college admissions.
Kira Talent’s video and assessment platform will be part of ETS’s Global Higher Education portfolio, to deliver an all-in-one solution for learners pursuing higher education and careers, and the higher education institutions and employers that they contact through their educational journey. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Kira Talent combines on-demand, timed video and timed written assessments with existing admissions requirements.
This deal will fuel growth for Kira Talent as it scales development of its education admissions solutions. The latter will include new suites of products incorporating alternative and quantitative assessments, according to ETS Strategic Capital. The deal will also further the expansion of Kira Talent’s structured interview platform.
Additionally, Kira Talent has plans for continued global expansion of its workforce to meet increased product demand, acceleration of partnership opportunities, and is looking toward new markets and a broader diversity of higher education partners.
Kira Talent helps admissions teams identify applicants who will succeed in their program. Kira Talent combines on-demand, timed video and timed written assessments with existing admissions requirements.
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ETS Strategic Capital was launched as the corporate development unit of ETS to pursue equity investments, strategic growth partnerships and mergers/acquisitions with innovative companies of strategic value around the world.
ETS is a research-driven company with $1 billion USD in revenues. Its products and services measure knowledge and skills, promote learning and performance, and support education and professional development for people worldwide.
“We’re looking forward to Kira Talent’s next phase of unprecedented growth with the backing of ETS,” Kira Talent’s marketing manager, Marissa Ho, told BetaKit.
Kira Talent is used by some 750 schools around the world including Yale, Northwestern University, Imperial College London, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Kira Talent launched its platform in 2012 as a recruitment tool for general undergraduate programs and business school applicants. Currently, the startup has a team of over 20 people.
The startup raised $5 million CAD in Series A funding in 2016, bringing its total funding to date to $8 million, following a $2 million round in 2013 and a $1.2 million round in 2015. Investors in the startup include Relay Ventures, BDC Capital IT Venture Fund, and Globalive Capital.
Kira Talent’s founder and CEO, Emilie Cushman, was selected among the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education.
Image source Kira Talent via website.
