Pluralsight, LLC Has Acquired the Assets of TrainSignal, Inc.

CHICAGO, Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikich Investment Banking ("Sikich") has announced its most recent transaction; the acquisition of TrainSignal, Inc. ("TrainSignal" or the "Company") by Pluralsight, LLC ("Pluralsight"). Sikich served as the exclusive financial advisor to TrainSignal.

Headquartered in Chicago, TrainSignal is a SaaS-based provider of IT certification training programs. CEO, Scott Skinger, founded the Company in 2002 to address the issue of subpar training materials available to IT professionals. Most curriculum or books were primarily focused on certification exam prep geared towards learning the theory necessary to pass vendor certification exams, which tended to skip over the practical, hands-on knowledge that IT pros need.

Recognizing the efficiencies in hosted software delivery, TrainSignal recently launched a subscription-based service that provides customers with online access to the entirety of the Company's rich training content. The shift to a SaaS business model along with its extensive library of content made TrainSignal a highly attractive acquisition target for Pluralsight, an Insight Venture Partners backed global IT training company. According to Aaron Skonnard, co-founder and CEO of Pluralsight, "TrainSignal represents the ideal acquisition for Pluralsight. The combination of the two companies' course content makes Pluralsight the clear leader in this industry. Further, the similarity of business models, content creation methodologies, and positive work environments and cultures ensures that the integration will proceed smoothly and result in an exceptional company going forward."

The Sikich team, led by Partner-in-Charge, Christopher Geier, and Director, Kurt Estes, guided TrainSignal through the entire acquisition process and acted as the lead negotiator for all business-related aspects of the transaction. "Sikich was invaluable to us throughout the transaction process," said Scott Skinger, CEO. "The combination of expertise in our industry, as well as in working with early-stage and venture backed-companies, assured that the deal not only closed, but that our interests were protected and we received the best possible value for TrainSignal."

About Sikich Investment Banking

Based in Chicago, Sikich Investment Banking is part of Sikich LLP, a highly integrated, multidisciplinary professional services firm with more than 500 employees working out of eleven offices located throughout the country. Sikich Investment Banking is the Firm's corporate finance and advisory practice, and through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC, it provides capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic advisory services tailored to middle market clients in the U.S. and abroad. The Firm's investment banking partners are known for their expertise in negotiating complicated issues and structures, and navigating through the complexities inherent in industries such as technology, life sciences, manufacturing, and others. Visit Sikich Investment Banking at http://www.sikich.com/IB for more information.

Securities are offered through Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, a registered broker dealer with the Securities Exchange Commission and a member of FINRA/SIPC.

About TrainSignal, Inc.

Founded in 2002 and based in Schaumburg, IL, TrainSignal provides SaaS subscription-based "Total Experience" training that gives individuals the tools and confidence to tackle real-world challenges, pass their certification exams and succeed in today's competitive global IT market. TrainSignal offers a wide range of computer training courses covering Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, CompTIA, VMware, and Microsoft Office.

About Pluralsight, LLC

Pluralsight, backed by Insight Venture Partners, is a global leader in high-quality online training for professional developers based in Layton, UT. The revolutionary Pluralsight training library provides developers everywhere with instant access to a rich collection of online training courses delivered by world-renowned industry authorities. Pluralsight provides flexible and cost-effective subscription plans for individuals and businesses starting from as little as $29 a month.

SOURCE Sikich Investment Banking