Everberg Capital provides preferred equity to support BayPine and Two Sigma Impact's investment in workforce education and training provider Penn Foster

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Everberg Capital ("Everberg"), a structured capital fund focused on investing primarily in the U.S. middle market, announced the closing of a significant preferred equity investment supporting Two Sigma Impact and BayPine's investment in Penn Foster, a leading workforce education platform for middle-skilled workers. BC partners and FS Investments, among other institutional investors, joined Everberg in the preferred equity investment. The transaction marks a watershed moment in Everberg's growth and evolution and was its largest to date.

Founded in 1890 as a correspondence school, Penn Foster has evolved into a digital learning platform focused on closing the skill gap by preparing workforce-ready employees for middle-skilled careers. Penn Foster serves more than 300,000 adult learners seeking to move beyond entry-level employment, graduating more than 40,000 students each year.  In "Unstuck in the Middle," a white paper released by Penn Foster last year, the company made the case that recognizing skill attainment along a spectrum could unlock economic mobility for workers employed in jobs that require more than a high school diploma but not a four year degree. According to the National Skills Coalition, while middle-skill jobs make up the largest portion of the US labor market, just 44% of workers are currently trained to the middle-skill level. A recent study published by the nonprofit, Opportunity@Work, suggests that the estimated 71 million Americans who lack four-year degrees, but are "Skilled Through Alternative Routes" (STARs), represent an untapped pool of talent for US employers. 

Scott Siegel, Managing Partner, at Everberg Capital said: "COVID-19 is further driving the demand for self-paced remote education programs and accelerating the trend towards digital learning. We are proud to support Penn Foster as it continues to up-skill and re-skill workers, which is paramount in securing a job in this challenging labor market. Our investment in Penn Foster highlights our commitment to investing in socially responsible companies with community-focused partners. We firmly believe a healthy corporate ecosystem is built upon alignment of interests and principles of transparency, integrity, and understanding." 

Ian Blasco, Partner, at Two Sigma Impact said: "Everberg was the ideal partner for us. They created a customized financing solution tailored to the needs of the company and then worked quickly to execute it. We look forward to partnering with them again in the near future."

Tom O'Rourke, Managing Director, at BayPine said: "We are pleased to partner with Scott, the Everberg team, and Two Sigma Impact to invest in Penn Foster and develop a modern, agile education platform that leverages the power of data to drive better outcomes for working learners."

About Penn Foster

Penn Foster is bridging the gap between education and economic opportunity to build tomorrow's workforce. We partner with employers, education and workforce organizations, and local community groups to design and deliver digital and blended learning programs that attract, upskill, and retain workers in America's fastest-growing fields and professions. With more than 40,000 graduates each year, Penn Foster helps individuals discover pathways to opportunity through accredited diploma, certificate and degree programs that matter in the world of work. For more information, visit https://www.pennfoster.edu.

About Everberg Capital

Everberg Capital is a structured capital fund focused on investing primarily in the U.S. middle market. The firm partners with both seasoned family founders / entrepreneurs and innovative financial sponsors to provide bespoke private capital solutions, operational support, and capital markets expertise. The firm's capital is used not only for growth financing and acquisitions, but also to stabilize companies and to alleviate burdensome capital structures. https://www.everbergcapital.com/

About BayPine

BayPine is a private investment firm that seeks to create lasting value for the firm's investors, portfolio companies and communities in which they operate by driving innovation, digital transformation and sustainable growth in market-leading businesses across traditional sectors of the economy. Headquartered in Boston, BayPine was founded by a team of accomplished investors and senior executives who have a shared passion for building enduring companies. For more information about BayPine, please visit www.baypine.com. 

About Two Sigma Impact

Two Sigma Impact is a business of Two Sigma. Its mission is to combine active, principled ownership and data science with the goal of achieving superior returns and positive social outcomes. The Two Sigma Impact team is focused on workforce impact – where they anticipate innovative and thoughtful investments in humans will lead to an enhanced employee experience, productivity, and long-term financial returns. As part of Two Sigma, Two Sigma Impact has access to expertise in data science, technology, and a range of corporate specialties, and seeks to support its portfolio companies with those resources. For more information about Two Sigma Impact, please visit www.twosigmaimpact.com

Media Contacts

For Everberg Capital
Max Hilton/Darius Athill
Peregrine Communications
917-960-5064

For Penn Foster
Ben Watsky
Whiteboard Associates
203-907-8930

For BayPine
Jonathan Gasthalter/Nathaniel Garnick
Gasthalter & Co.
(212) 257-4170

For Two Sigma Impact
Andrew McGloin
914-450-1607

SOURCE Everberg Capital, LLC

Related Links

https://www.everbergcapital.com/