Jacob Voorhees

Managing Director

Jacob Voorhees

Managing Director

Jacob co-founded Navagant in 2023 as a boutique sell-side M&A firm dedicated to the Education and Training industry, after founding and leading the Education and Training practice at Capstone Partners for 20 years.

He has been nominated for over 50 M&A deal of the year awards, winning 20 of them, and was named Investment Banker of the Year in 2021.

Jacob Voorhees, Managing Director, Navagant

Background

Jacob is from a small dairy farm in Iowa, the son of hippie runaways, who both were the first in their families to go to college. By the age of five years old, he was waking up at 4 AM to milk and feed cows before school and again after school from 3-8 PM. Consequently, the values of a good education, independence, responsibility, work ethic, and the importance of family were repetitively taught from a very young age. Much to his parents’ chagrin, he enrolled at Cornell University to become a large animal veterinarian or a college professor but got sidetracked with finance classes resulting in an unpaid internship with Rabobank, a Dutch multinational bank in New York City. He worked on mergers and acquisitions in South and Latin America, specifically focusing on dairy and agriculture.

A couple of years later, in a moment of brilliance and foresight, he moved to Boston and accepted a job with Arthur Andersen in their M&A technology practice as the tech bubble was bursting and Andersen was being brought down by Enron. Realizing that corporate America wasn’t the best place for an individual with an independent streak, in 2003, he co-founded Capstone Partners. From the onset, he founded, led, and developed the Education and Training practice at Capstone.

Over the next 20 years, he was instrumental in growing the firm from two to over 200 people, successfully helping lead the Company through its sale to Huntington Bank in June 2022. During his tenure at Capstone, he was nominated for over 50 M&A deal of the year awards, winning 20 of them, and being named an Emerging Leader in his early 30s and Investment Banker of the Year in 2021 at age 44. However, the entrepreneurial bug bit again, and in early 2023, he and the rest of the Education and Training practice left Huntington to found Navagant, a boutique sell-side M&A firm dedicated to the Education and Training industry.

In his limited free time, he and JJ love going on nature hikes, traveling the world, becoming “master” home improvement experts, and golfing poorly. He barely tolerates a massive inter-family Boston vs. Pittsburgh sports rivalry and tries to get to Cape Cod to visit his folks as much as possible.

Selected Transactions

View All Navagant Transactions
Legacy Swim Group recapitalized by Main Street Capital Corporation, Navagant transaction

Legacy Swim Group, the Largest Franchisee of a Leading Swim School Brand, Recapitalizes and Receives Growth Investment from Main Street Capital Corporation

Legacy Swim Group, the largest franchisee of a leading swim school brand, recapitalized and received a growth investment from Main Street Capital Corporation.

Elsmere Education growth investment from Haven Capital Partners, Navagant transaction

Elsmere Education Secures Growth Investment from Haven Capital Partners and Merges with Human Capital Research Corporation to Form Human Capital Education

Elsmere Education secured growth investment from Haven Capital Partners and merged with Human Capital Research Corporation to form Human Capital Education.

Global Educators acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad, study abroad M&A transaction

Global Educators, Inc. Acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Global Educators, Inc., a study abroad and international education provider, was acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad.

PAIRIN acquired by Digital Capital Partners, workforce technology M&A transaction

PAIRIN Acquired by Digital Capital Partners

PAIRIN, a workforce development software provider, was acquired by Digital Capital Partners. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Heavy Equipment Colleges of America recapitalized by Argosy Capital, career school M&A transaction

Heavy Equipment Colleges of America Recapitalized by Argosy Capital

Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, a vocational training school operator, was recapitalized by Argosy Capital. Navagant advised on the transaction.

RAIN Group acquired by Horizon-owned Alchemist, professional training M&A transaction

RAIN Group is Acquired by Horizon-owned Alchemist

RAIN Group, a sales training and performance improvement firm, was acquired by Horizon-owned Alchemist, expanding its sales enablement capabilities.

Atlantis acquired by Infinedi-owned CEA CAPA Education Abroad, study abroad M&A transaction

Atlantis is Acquired by Infinedi-owned CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Atlantis, a study abroad and international healthcare shadowing program, was acquired by Infinedi-owned CEA CAPA Education Abroad.

Hawkes Learning recapitalized by Golden Vision Capital Americas, courseware M&A transaction

Hawkes Learning Poised for Growth with Recapitalization by Golden Vision Capital Americas

Hawkes Learning, a higher education courseware publisher, was positioned for growth through a recapitalization by Golden Vision Capital Americas.

Neuroscience Education Institute acquired by HMP Global, medical education M&A transaction

NEI Global Acquired by HMP Global

Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI Global), a continuing medical education provider, was acquired by HMP Global. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Yardstick Management acquired by Diversified Search Group, Navagant M&A transaction

Yardstick Management Acquired by Diversified Search Group

Yardstick Management, a diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm, was acquired by Diversified Search Group. Navagant advised on the transaction.

World Education Program acquired by E-Capital, study abroad M&A transaction

World Education Program Acquired by E-Capital

World Education Program, an international student exchange organization, was acquired by E-Capital. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Conscious Discipline acquired by Prairie Capital, Navagant M&A transaction

Conscious Discipline Acquired by Prairie Capital

Conscious Discipline, a social-emotional learning and educator professional development provider, was acquired by Prairie Capital.

Rosh Review acquired by Blueprint, medical education M&A transaction

RoshReview Acquired by Blueprint

Rosh Review, a medical exam preparation and board review provider, was acquired by Blueprint. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Ogle School acquired by RLJ Equity Partners, career school M&A transaction

Ogle School Acquired by RLJ Equity Partners

Ogle School, a cosmetology career school operator, was acquired by RLJ Equity Partners. Navagant advised on the transaction.

MIAT College of Technology acquired by Universal Technical Institute, career school M&A transaction

MIAT Acquired by Universal Technical Institute

MIAT College of Technology, a technical career school, was acquired by Universal Technical Institute. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Force Management recapitalized by TZP Group, professional training M&A transaction

Force Management Recapitalized by TZP Group

Force Management, a sales effectiveness and revenue growth training firm, was recapitalized by TZP Group. Navagant advised on the transaction.

American Sentinel University acquired by Post University, higher education M&A transaction

American Sentinel University Acquired by Post University

American Sentinel University, an online nursing and technology institution, was acquired by Post University. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Themis Bar Review acquired by UWorld, test prep M&A transaction

Themis Bar Review Acquired by UWorld

Themis Bar Review, a bar exam preparation provider, was acquired by UWorld, expanding UWorld’s professional test preparation portfolio.

Caliper Corporation acquired by PSI Services, Navagant M&A transaction

Caliper Corporation Acquired by PSI Services

Caliper Corporation, a talent assessment and pre-employment testing provider, was acquired by PSI Services. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Richardson merges with Sales Performance International, professional training M&A transaction

Richardson Merges with Sales Performance International

Richardson, a sales training and coaching firm, merged with Sales Performance International, creating a combined sales effectiveness platform.

Blueprint acquired by New Harbor Capital, test prep M&A transaction

Blueprint Acquired by New Harbor Capital

Blueprint, a test preparation and exam readiness provider, was acquired by New Harbor Capital. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Envision Experience acquired by WorldStrides, Navagant M&A transaction

Envision Experience Acquired by WorldStrides

Envision Experience, a student travel and career exploration program provider, was acquired by WorldStrides. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Penn Foster acquired by Vistria Group, career school M&A transaction

Penn Foster Acquired by Vistria Group

Penn Foster, an online career school and workforce training provider, was acquired by The Vistria Group. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Allied Business Schools acquired by Colibri Real Estate, career school M&A transaction

Allied Business Schools Acquired by Colibri Real Estate

Allied Business Schools, a professional licensing education provider, was acquired by Colibri Real Estate. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Ex'pression College of Digital Arts acquired by SAE Institute, career school M&A transaction

Ex’pression College of Digital Arts Acquired by SAE Institute

Ex’pression College of Digital Arts, a career school for digital media, was acquired by SAE Institute. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Neumont University acquired by Caltius Equity Partners, higher education M&A transaction

Neumont University Acquired by Caltius Equity Partners

Neumont University, a computer science–focused institution, was acquired by Caltius Equity Partners. Navagant advised on the transaction.

Selected transactions involving Jacob. Includes experience at prior firms.

Deal Recognition

Recognition for transactions involving Jacob and the team.

2026

Corporate/Strategic Deal of the Year

Global Educators acquired by CEA CAPA Education Abroad. The M&A Advisor Awards.

Read the Announcement

2026

Recapitalization Deal of the Year

Legacy Swim Group recapitalized by Main Street Capital Corporation. 16th Annual Americas M&A Atlas Awards.

Read the Announcement

2026

EducationInvestor Awards Finalist

Financial Advisor of the Year and Consultant of the Year, Deal-Making. Navagant was also a finalist in 2024 and 2025.

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2025

M&A Deal of the Year

Atlantis acquired by Infinedi-owned CEA CAPA Education Abroad. 16th Annual International M&A Advisor Awards.

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2025

Regional Deal of the Year, Oceania

RAIN Group acquired by Alchemist. 16th Annual International M&A Advisor Awards.

Read the Announcement

2025

Boutique M&A Investment Bank of the Year

Navagant named Boutique M&A Investment Bank of the Year, USA Middle Markets, at the 16th Americas M&A Atlas Awards.

Read the Announcement

2025

USA Private Equity Deal of the Year

Heavy Equipment Colleges of America recapitalized by Argosy Capital. Americas M&A Atlas Awards.

Read the Announcement

2025

M&A Advisor Awards Finalist

Atlantis, RAIN Group and Elsmere Education, plus Mid Size Boutique Investment Banking Firm of the Year, at the 24th Annual M&A Advisor Awards.

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2024

M&A Deal of the Year

Hawkes Learning recapitalized by Golden Vision Capital Americas. 15th Annual International M&A Awards, The M&A Advisor.

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2024

Advisor of the Year

The M&A Source, awarded to the deal maker with the highest combined purchase price of completed deals in 2023.

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2024

USA Deal of the Year

Neuroscience Education Institute acquired by HMP Global. 15th Annual Americas and Global Markets M&A Atlas Awards.

Read the Announcement

2024

M&A Advisor Awards Finalist

Eleven nominations across Envisage International, Hawkes Learning, Heavy Equipment Colleges of America and NEI, plus Mid Size Boutique Investment Banking Firm of the Year.

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2023

M&A Deal of the Year

APEX Anesthesia Review acquired by TrueLearn. The M&A Advisor Awards.

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2023

Education Deal of the Year

APEX Anesthesia Review acquired by TrueLearn. M&A Atlas Awards, USA Middle Markets.

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2023

Deal of the Year

Yardstick Management acquired by Diversified Search Group. M&A Atlas Awards, USA Middle Markets.

Read the Announcement

2023

M&A Advisor Awards Finalist

Six nominations across APEX Anesthesia Review and Yardstick Management.

Read the Announcement

2022

Education Services Deal of the Year

Rosh Review’s acquisition by Blueprint. Completed before Navagant’s founding.

View Transaction

2021

Investment Banker of the Year

Named Investment Banker of the Year at age 44 while leading the Education and Training practice at Capstone Partners.

Background

News & Insights

View All Insights

Research and market commentary with contributions from Jacob.

Industry Reports

Monthly Market Updates

Connect with Jacob

Co-founder of Navagant, a boutique sell-side M&A firm dedicated to the Education and Training industry.

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Fun Fact

NCAA National Champion Dairy Cattle Judge

Education

Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MBA
Cornell University – BS

Registrations & Affiliations

FINRA – Series 7 & 63 Registered General Securities Representative
FINRA – Series 79 Registered Investment Banking Representative

617-216-1543
jacob@navagant.com