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Carlyle, EQT, Partners Group show interest in buying EuroSchool from KKR

Private equity firms Carlyle, EQT, and Partners Group are conducting due diligence for a full buyout of EuroSchool.

Carlyle, EQT, Partners Group show interest in buying EuroSchool from KKR
[Source photo: Chetan Jha]

EuroSchool chain operator Lighthouse Learning may soon change ownership as several private equity players have shown interest in buying the controlling stake from global investment firm KKR, Mint reported.

Private equity firms Carlyle, EQT, and Partners Group are conducting due diligence for a full buyout of EuroSchool. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has also reportedly shown interest in the school chain. 

Run by Lighthouse Learning, EuroSchool is an early learning and pre-school chain valued at $700-900 million. KKR is considering giving away its controlling stake in this premium school chain, which has a presence in 350 cities.

In 2019, KKR, the US private equity firm, acquired Lighthouse from investors led by Gaja Capital, an Indian PE firm, for around ₹1,400 crore and invested more later.

A Crisil report published in February 2024 mentioned that Alpha Asia Holdings II Pte Ltd, an investment arm of KKR, holds 94.53% in Lighthouse, while chief executive officer Prajodh Rajan holds the balance of 5.47%.

People aware of this matter mentioned that it is a very lucrative deal with a lot of headroom for growth, the Mint report said.

The PE firm has hired JP Morgan and Avendus to find buyers for Lighthouse. This deal marks a significant milestone, considering that foreign investors considered Indian schooling and pre-schooling sectors to be regulated ones and thus were forthcoming about their foreign proposals into the sector.

Global funds usually carry out a due diligence before starting the bidding process.

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