Robertson College’s parent company, Education Canada Group, receives financing from BDC Capital to expand in midst of COVID-19
WINNIPEG, January 27, 2021 – Education Canada Group (ECG), which owns Robertson College, has received non-dilutive financing from BDC Capital’s Growth & Transition Capital division. Robertson College is a private vocational institution that was founded more than one hundred years ago. Today, they operate campuses in Winnipeg, Brandon, Calgary and Edmonton as well as an online division.
ECG had been experiencing significant growth over the past several years thanks in large part to substantial investments in physical campuses, technology infrastructure and online learning. In 2018, it created an international division to capture a greater share of the increasing number of foreign students coming to Canada. These innovations provided a solid foundation for Robertson College to continue teaching, including in a virtual environment, and ensure that students were able to complete their studies and receive the certifications they were working towards even in the midst of a pandemic.
In the wake of COVID-19, BDC Capital’s financing provided additional capital to allow Robertson College to complete many of its transformational activities designed to provide an even better student experience and ensure that Robertson College is well positioned as an industry leader to address the continued demand for career training and services throughout and after COVID.
“BDC Capital was able to quickly see the strength of our brand and the value of our business model,” says Paul Holden, CEO, Education Canada Group. “They worked closely with us to put together a program that ensured ECG and Robertson College are able to continue to grow and provide students the life-changing skills they are looking for now more than ever.”
This financing was arranged by Gaurav Anand, Director, Growth & Transition Capital for BDC Capital in Winnipeg. “Robertson College has been a prominent institution in Western Canada for over 100 years. Thanks to ECG’s strategic vision and experienced management team and to the significant investment in growth, Robertson has a strong foundation upon which to grow,” says Anand.
“The impact of COVID-19 on many educational institutions across the country has been considerable. BDC Capital’s financing will accelerate Robertson’s industry-leading transformation and ensure it continues to provide needed training, including to the many workers affected by COVID-19 who may need to seek to upgrade skills or transition into new careers,” adds Vern Malcom, Managing Director, Growth & Transition Capital for Southern Alberta and Manitoba, BDC Capital.
About Education Canada Group
Education Canada Group provides global access to purposeful education for students in their pathway to successful careers, with flexibility in time and delivery without the limits of place and distance.
About BDC Capital
BDC Capital is the investment arm of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs. With over $3 billion under management, BDC Capital serves as a strategic partner to the country’s most innovative firms. It offers businesses a full spectrum of capital, from seed investments to growth equity, supporting Canadian entrepreneurs who have the ambition to stand out on the world stage. Visit bdc.ca/capital.
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