Key Takeaways
- • Bain Capital Private Equity acquired Camp Australia, a provider of before-and-after-hours school care operating across mainland Australian states and partnering with over 700 schools, in a private transaction with undisclosed financial terms (subsequently reported as approximately $400 million).
- • The acquisition represents Bain Capital's second major education sector investment in the Asia-Pacific region within four months, following its majority stake acquisition in early childhood development group Only About Children (OAC).
- • Camp Australia, established in 1987, operates in an attractive market identified by Bain Capital as offering substantial growth opportunities through expanded management, staffing, and service investments to meet Australian family demand for quality childcare.
- • The partnership combines Bain Capital's international education sector expertise and long-term value-add investment approach with Camp Australia's established operational footprint and management team led by CEO Adam Pease.
Summary
Bain Capital Private Equity announced on December 12, 2016, that it had completed an agreement to acquire Camp Australia, a schoolcare provider delivering before-and-after-hours childcare services across mainland Australia. The transaction's financial terms were not disclosed at announcement, though subsequent reporting identified the deal value as approximately $400 million. Camp Australia operates in partnership with more than 700 schools nationwide and was established in 1987, initially as an after-schools sports coaching provider.
The acquisition marks Bain Capital's second significant education sector investment in the Asia-Pacific region in rapid succession. The firm had acquired a majority stake in Only About Children (OAC), an early childhood and development group, less than four months prior to the Camp Australia transaction. This dual investment signals a deliberate portfolio construction strategy focused on the education and childcare sectors across the region.
Bain Capital identified Camp Australia as operating within an attractive market with meaningful expansion potential. Ed Han, managing director at Bain Capital, emphasized that "through our due diligence we came to the belief that there is an excellent opportunity to grow operations further." The firm indicated plans to invest in management, staffing, and service expansion, grounded in its assessment that Australian families demand improved access to quality childcare. Mike Murphy, principal at Bain Capital, highlighted the strategic synergies between the Camp Australia acquisition and the firm's prior Only About Children investment, positioning both holdings within a cohesive education platform.
Camp Australia's CEO Adam Pease characterized Bain Capital as an ideal partner capable of supporting the business's next development phase, citing the firm's international expertise, strategic perspective, and operational support capabilities. The transaction demonstrates Bain Capital's continued application of its value-added investment methodology within the education and childcare sectors in developed Asia-Pacific markets.
The acquisition marks Bain Capital's second significant education sector investment in the Asia-Pacific region in rapid succession. The firm had acquired a majority stake in Only About Children (OAC), an early childhood and development group, less than four months prior to the Camp Australia transaction. This dual investment signals a deliberate portfolio construction strategy focused on the education and childcare sectors across the region.
Bain Capital identified Camp Australia as operating within an attractive market with meaningful expansion potential. Ed Han, managing director at Bain Capital, emphasized that "through our due diligence we came to the belief that there is an excellent opportunity to grow operations further." The firm indicated plans to invest in management, staffing, and service expansion, grounded in its assessment that Australian families demand improved access to quality childcare. Mike Murphy, principal at Bain Capital, highlighted the strategic synergies between the Camp Australia acquisition and the firm's prior Only About Children investment, positioning both holdings within a cohesive education platform.
Camp Australia's CEO Adam Pease characterized Bain Capital as an ideal partner capable of supporting the business's next development phase, citing the firm's international expertise, strategic perspective, and operational support capabilities. The transaction demonstrates Bain Capital's continued application of its value-added investment methodology within the education and childcare sectors in developed Asia-Pacific markets.
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