Anthology and Blackboard to merge
Two leaders in the edtech market, Blackboard and Anthology, are to merge to create a global provider of education software and solutions.
Anthology, a provider of higher education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, and Blackboard, a global EdTech software and solutions company, announced today a definitive agreement to combine the two companies.
The merger is designed to accelerate transformation at education institutions to enhance the learner experience and drive student and institution success.
Blackboard provides learning management software, communication tools and student success solutions to 150 million users. Clients include higher education institutions, K-12 schools, governments and businesses. Anthology provides higher education enterprise software and solutions around enrollment management, student engagement, alumni fundraising and institutional effectiveness, serving over 2,000 colleges and universities.
Jim Milton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Anthology, will serve as Chairman and CEO of the combined company: "Upon the completion of this merger, we will have a data-driven product portfolio that seeks to touch every constituent at the institution and will aim to transform the way education uses technology to engage, connect, teach, learn and drive efficiencies across the institution."
Milton: "We believe this combination will enhance the solutions and services available to faculty and students, and we are deeply committed to delivering greater value and innovation to our customers and partners. Anthology and Blackboard are fully aligned around a deep focus on learner success, and I am excited to lead the combined company as we embark on this next phase of growth together."
Bill Ballhaus, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Blackboard: "Together, Blackboard and Anthology will lead the next wave of EdTech innovation. We believe that combining our companies will enable us to break down data silos across the institution and surface deeper insights about the learner so that we can deliver unmatched personalized experiences across the full learner lifecycle."
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2021.