Education Growth Summit 2012 Announces Entrepreneur Open Finalists

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Oct 18, 2012) - The Education Growth Summit 2012 (EdGrowth Summit) today announced the selection of 14 early-stage companies selected as finalists in the "EdGrowth Entrepreneur Open" competition. The selected companies offer innovative solutions for enhancing learning; improving the operational performance of education institutions; and facilitating workforce development and individuals' employability. Each company will present their solutions to Summit attendees, which will include entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and private equity investors, company and foundation executives, and institutional leaders as they vie for a chance to win the grand prize of intensive mentoring and guidance from professionals in the field.

"The companies selected for the Entrepreneur Open represent a microcosm of the innovation and dynamism taking root across the education sector. The finalists' solutions run the full gamut of a learner's lifecycle and are exploring both institutional and consumer-oriented channels," said Adam Newman, Managing Partner at Education Growth Advisors, host organization of the EdGrowth Summit along with Education Growth Partners. "Every year the depth and quality of candidates expands. We're thrilled to be hosting these finalists at this year's Summit, as well as dozens of other up-and-coming entrepreneurs and companies seeking to support and enhance opportunities for learners, teachers, and institutions."

The 14 finalists are:

• BrightBytes
• CareerMotivations
• College Portfolio
• Conceptua Math
• Edshelf
• Educurious
• Gather Education
• Houlton
• InstaGrok
• LearningGames Studio, Inc.
• myEDGPS
• Mytonomy
• RecoVend
• Silverback Learning

Further details about the companies participating in the EdGrowth Entrepreneur Open can be found at the EdGrowth Summit website.

Finalists for the Entrepreneur Open were selected through an open application process judged by representatives of the Summit's hosts, partners, and sponsors. Summit attendees will determine the ultimate winner during a crowd-funding-style investment competition during the first evening of the two-day Summit. The winner of the Entrepreneur Open will receive a tailored package of custom services from premier providers of marketing, legal and consulting services, as well as meetings with relevant investors and corporate development executives.

"We founded the Summit four years ago to provide investors the chance to meet early-stage companies as a means of promoting industry growth. These types of connections drive the needed development of sustainable solutions in the global education marketplace. In a sector like education where market and mission converge, it's important to take the long view; the finalists selected this year are doing just that," said Chris Curran, Managing Partner at Education Growth Advisors.

The EdGrowth Summit will be held at the IAC HQ in New York City on November 1 and 2. This year's overarching theme, "A Reality Check," will drive exploration of the complexities of investing and innovating in an industry in which market and mission converge and examine the risks and opportunity across the global education marketplace. In addition to the insightful panels and discussions that are a hallmark of the Summit, this year's event will include remarks from featured speaker Bill Bennett, former Secretary of Education.

Sponsors of the Education Growth Summit 2012 include Cengage Learning, ECMC Group, and EducationWeek. For more information about the event, visit http://edgrowthsummit.com or email summit@edgrowthllc.com.

About Education Growth Advisors
Founded in 2010 by longtime education and investment industry veterans Adam Newman and Christopher Curran, Education Growth Advisors ("EGA") is a strategic advisory and consulting firm working across the K-12, postsecondary, corporate and lifelong learning sectors. EGA delivers business expertise that marries rigorous, research-based market analysis, hands-on education-industry experience and extensive transactional and capital markets experience. EGA's unique position at the heart of the education industry ensures that its clients have the partner they need to make the right decisions in today's complex and rapidly evolving education marketplace. For more information about Education Growth Advisors, visit www.edgrowthadvisors.com.

About Education Growth Partners
Education Growth Partners ("EGP") is the premier private equity firm focused exclusively on growth equity investments in education companies in the preK-12, higher education, corporate training and lifelong learning sectors. EGP invests in profitable, innovative, high-potential companies that are seeking capital and expertise to reach scale. The firm has offices in Stamford, CT and Boston, MA and is closely affiliated with Education Growth Advisors. For more information, visit www.edgrowthpartners.com.