Origin Merchant Partners (“Origin”) announces that it acted as Financial Advisor to Beal University Canada on its pending acquisition by Yorkville University subject to applicable regulatory approvals, conditional designation requirements, and other closing conditions. This transition in institutional ownership is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of nursing education in the province at a time of increasing demand for healthcare professionals.
The Government of New Brunswick has granted Yorkville University a conditional designation under the Degree Granting Act, and the College of Nurses of New Brunswick (CNNB) is actively engaged in reviewing the program’s transition. Following the closing of the transaction in September 2026, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program will continue to be delivered with no changes to curriculum, clinical hours, or academic standards. All students will continue their studies without interruption and will graduate with a recognized degree that meets all College of Nurses of New Brunswick (CNNB) licensure requirements. Faculty and staff are expected to be retained as part of the transition, ensuring continuity in instruction and student support.
Founded in 2004, Yorkville University is a proudly Canadian institution offering one of the most flexible learning ecosystems in the country. Its breadth of programs spans across business, creative arts, design, mental health and education, providing Canadians with professional growth opportunities that lead to meaningful contributions in communities across Canada. Adding a thriving BScN program to this powerful roster is a natural fit, aligned with Yorkville University’s commitment to empowering learners to help meet Canada’s evolving economic and societal needs. Yorkville University – which has existing campuses in New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia – is thrilled to further support New Brunswick’s healthcare workforce needs by training the next generation of nursing professionals.
This mandate represents an additional education sector transaction, cementing Origin as a leading financial advisor in the education industry.
About Beal University Canada:
Beal University Canada (BUC), located in Sackville and Miramichi, New Brunswick, is a premier private institution dedicated to addressing regional healthcare shortages through accelerated, high-fidelity nursing education. Established in 2023, BUC offers an innovative, 30-month hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program that combines flexible online learning with advanced on-campus simulation labs and clinical placements. Through its year-round modular schedule, with six intakes per year, BUC eliminates traditional academic waitlists, providing a fast-track pathway for students to challenge the NCLEX-RN exam and enter the workforce as licensed Registered Nurses. With locations in Sackville and Miramichi, BUC is committed to developing the next generation of highly skilled nursing leaders across Atlantic Canada.
About Yorkville University:
Yorkville University began with a bold vision: to offer flexible, rigorous, and career-focused programs that transform lives. Since 2004, Yorkville University has expanded to campuses across Canada, offering both online and on-campus learning modalities. Our graduates have advanced their careers through programs in the behavioural sciences, social sciences, business, education, design and the creative arts. Yorkville University’s student-centred, practitioner-oriented approach equips graduates with skills that employers value, making us one of Canada’s largest private universities. Learn more at https://www.yorkvilleu.ca/
Press Release: Yorkville University to Acquire Beal University Canada, Strengthening the Future of Nursing Education in New Brunswick
Deal Team: Jim Osler, Katie Balson
Origin Merchant Partners (“Origin”) acted as Exclusive Financial Advisor to The Clover School on its sale to Globeducate, expanding their K-12 network in Canada and worldwide.
Origin worked with The Clover School to run a discreet process focused on finding a good steward for the school, its students and employees, while ensuring value maximization and deal certainty. The Clover School was highly differentiated and sought after due to its stellar reputation, strong local presence and expertise in delivering exceptional academic & social outcomes for its students.
The Clover School is the first Montessori school to join the Globeducate Group in Canada, which also includes Blyth Academy and Toronto Prep School. Students from The Clover School will now have the opportunity to remain within the Globeducate group beyond the age of 12.
About The Clover School:
The Clover School, established in 1996 and led by its founders since inception, welcomes children from toddler age to 12 years. Growing from eight students in 1996 to a vibrant community of nearly 300 children, parents and educators spread across two campuses; the leadership team prides itself on helping children to build resilience and tenacity in both learning and life –young people who are capable of making a positive impact in the world.
About Globeducate:
Globeducate is one of the leading international K12 education groups in the world, a network of 65+ leading bilingual and international schools, as well as online programs, educating more than 40,000 students in 11 countries. The schools specialize in a variety of highly respected international curricula including the National Curriculum for England (from the Early Years to A Level),International Baccalaureate (from the PYP to IBDP), and the regional and national curricula of Ontario, Cyprus, France, India, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Our students achieve high grades and are accepted into higher education programs at 25 of the top 50 universities in the world.
Press release: The Clover School Toronto Joins Globeducate | Montessori & K12 | News Details
Deal team: Shaun Quennell, Alain Miquelon, Gordie Matheson
Origin Merchant Securities Inc. (“OMSI”) is pleased to announce Vega Education Services (“Vega”) and International Business University (“IBU”) have raised growth capital from a consortium of investors led by JKR Investment Group (“JKR”). OMSI was exclusive advisor to Vega on this transaction.
Vega is a Toronto-based provider of recruitment, academic and support services to the post-secondary sector, notably through a partnership with International Business University.
IBU is a Canadian, student-focused university that offers a growing set of undergraduate and graduate academic and professional degree programs that are career-relevant, and can be completed in an accelerated time frame.
JKR is a Cyprus-based, entrepreneurial investment fund with a focus on the education vertical. The fund helps ambitious start-ups and growing companies build profitable businesses.
Origin Senior Leads: Jim Meloche, Shaun Quennell.
Origin Merchant Partners (“Origin”) is pleased to announce that it served as the financial advisor to Kivuto Solutions Inc. (“Kivuto”) on its sale to Valsoft Corporation Inc. (“Valsoft”).
Kivuto is a leading independent provider of edtech solutions, providing a suite of software solutions trusted by academic institutions around the world to enable a modern learning environment in which students have easy access to the tools they need to succeed. By partnering with a broad ecosystem of partners, Kivuto provides solutions to thousands of renowned academic institutions. Founded in 1997, Kivuto is headquartered in Ottawa and employs ~55 dedicated, highly qualified team members.
Valsoft acquires and develops vertical market software companies, enabling each business to deliver the best mission-critical solutions for customers in their respective industries or niche. A key tenet of Valsoft’s philosophy is to invest in well-established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that molds companies into leaders in their respective industries. Valsoft looks to buy, hold and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management.
Origin Senior Leads: Jim Meloche, Shaun Quennell.
Origin Merchant Partners is pleased to announce that Birch Hill Equity Partners has made an investment in Yorkville Education Company (“Yorkville”). Origin Merchant Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to Yorkville with respect to this transaction.
Yorkville Education Company, is the parent company of Yorkville University and Toronto Film School. Yorkville University is a private for-profit university established in 2003 in New Brunswick, providing a variety of career-focused degree programs to students across Canada. Toronto Film School is a for-profit post-secondary institution based in Toronto, Ontario. The school offers creative diploma programs in the areas of film, entertainment, fashion, design, and video games.
Birch Hill Equity Partners is a Toronto-based mid-market private equity firm with a 25-year history of driving growth in their portfolio companies and delivering returns to investors
Origin Senior Leads: Jim Osler, Jim Meloche
Origin Merchant Partners is pleased to announce that ChildVentures has successfully completed its strategic investment from Fusion Ventures Holdings.
Origin Merchant Partners acted as the exclusive financial advisor to ChildVentures with respect to this transaction.
ChildVentures is a premium, early childhood education business with multiple locations in the Greater Toronto Area. First established in 2002, Childventures Early Learning Academy has developed an excellent reputation as an innovator and leader in child development. ChildVentures has adopted a blended curriculum style that incorporates various teaching methods from Baby Signs and High Scope® to Montessori and Core Knowledge®, which are all carefully designed to enhance children’s development and stimulate their growth.
Fusion Ventures Holdings is a strategic investor focused on mid-market acquisitions within North America. Fusion Ventures Holdings invests with a long-term horizon and a strong growth orientation. Target industries include home products and services, construction, real estate, and education. Fusion Ventures Holdings is passionate about taking companies to the next level through sound strategic thinking, focused execution, and a compelling client-oriented vision, all within a strong value based corporate culture.
Origin Senior Leads: Jim Meloche, Jim Osler
