Sofina and Portobello Invest in Proeduca's Growth
Deal News | Feb 27, 2025 | Iberian Lawyer
Sofina, in partnership with Portobello Capital, has acquired a minority stake in Proeduca, the holding entity of the Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR). The transaction, advised by Linklaters, places Proeduca’s valuation at 1.4 billion euros and highlights the ongoing evolution in the education sector towards embracing online higher education as a competitive alternative that promotes social mobility, equality, and improved employability prospects. The advisory team was led by Elena Rodriguez Fernández, José Buigues, and Gabriela De Remedios, with international support from the Brussels office.
Sectors
- Education
- Private Equity
Geography
- Spain – The Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, held by Proeduca, is based in Spain, indicating a geographical focus for the acquisition.
- Belgium – Sofina is headquartered in Belgium, adding a cross-border element to the transaction.
Industry
- Education – Proeduca, the holding entity for UNIR, is part of the rapidly evolving higher education sector focusing on online learning, which is highlighted in the article.
- Private Equity – Sofina and Portobello Capital, the investors mentioned in the article, are key players in the private equity sector, which provides the growth capital for this strategic acquisition.
Financials
- 1.4 billion – Valuation of Proeduca, the target company in the transaction.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofina | Buyer | Company | An investment company based in Belgium involved in the acquisition of a minority stake in Proeduca. |
| Portobello Capital | Buyer | Company | A Spanish private equity firm investing alongside Sofina in Proeduca. |
| Proeduca | Target Company | Company | The holding company of UNIR, the Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, which is the focus of the acquisition. |
| Linklaters | Legal Advisor | Company | The law firm advising Sofina and Portobello Capital on the Proeduca stake acquisition. |
| Elena Rodriguez Fernández | Legal Advisor | Person | Led the Linklaters team advising on the transaction. |
| José Buigues | Legal Advisor | Person | Part of the Linklaters support team involved in the acquisition advisory. |
| Gabriela De Remedios | Legal Advisor | Person | Part of the Linklaters support team working on the acquisition. |
| An-Sofie Van Hootegem | Legal Advisor | Person | Led the Brussels office team from Linklaters that supported the transaction. |