Our investment in Compass Education
Advent supported Compass Education to become a global leader in K–12 Student Information System (SIS) software, offering a comprehensive platform to manage student data, communication, administration, learning management, and engagement in a single ecosystem.
Following Advent’s investment, Compass established itself as a trusted provider to over 3,000 schools across Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, enabling improved school operations, enhanced parental engagement, and streamlined administrative efficiency.
The Opportunity
Advent identified Compass as a high-potential edtech investment, underpinned by strong SaaS fundamentals, rapid adoption, and global expansion potential. Advent’s strategy focused on evolving Compass from a domestic leader into a global operator by:
- Building a world-class executive team (recruiting a new CFO, CRO, and CPO)
- Enhancing governance through a formal board and Management Equity Plan
- Upgrading financial and performance reporting systems
Advent and the Compass team accelerated growth via domestic market penetration and strategic entry into the UK. The product suite expanded to include high-value modules and an integrated payments platform. Strategic acquisitions further supported Compass’s international positioning and long-term success.
Demonstrated Impact
Advent’s partnership with Compass resulted in a transformative period of growth and value creation. Key outcomes included:
- Annual recurring revenue (ARR) increased more than four times over the investment period, driven by product expansion, international growth, and payments penetration
- Rule of 40 performance exceeded 70%, indicating strong growth with solid operating efficiency
- Three strategic acquisitions were completed, expanding Compass’s geographic and product reach
- Significant investment in a new go-to-market model supported successful entry into the UK and further domestic expansion
- Three new high-value product modules, including analytics and timetabling, were developed to broaden the product suite and unlock upsell opportunities
- Establishment and growth of company’s integrated payments platform
Exit
Advent exited Compass in 2025 via a sale to EQT. The exit followed a sustained period of value creation which transformed Compass into one of the world’s leading SIS platforms. With EQT’s backing, Compass’s management will continue international expansion both organically and through acquisition.
