Canadian EdTech investment firm LaunchLife International has added a second children’s education franchise network to its portfolio. The deal to acquire Engineering for Kids, including its 89 franchised locations in 26 countries, increases LaunchLife International’s global presence to 250-plus locations in over 30 countries, delivering both adult and children’s education. Engineering for Kids joins Pitman Training, School is Easy and Academy of Learning Career College in a complementary suite of franchise brands.
A bright star in the STEM arena outside the UK, Engineering for Kids has won many awards and accreditations. The multiple programs they offer include after-school and evening classes, camps and parties, inspiring kids aged four to 14 to explore engineering concepts in a fun, engaging environment. Learning maths and science while building problem-solving skills through robotics, technology and coding activities not only opens up the possibilities of the in-demand future careers in coding and engineering but also improves essential academic skills and overall confidence.
A champion of STEM education and recognised as an award-winning female entrepreneur, Dori Roberts founded Engineering for Kids in 2009. Dori will remain at Engineering for Kids as President, also becoming Vice President of Youth Education USA at LaunchLife International.
“Our curriculum often fills a gap in mainstream education and adds a real-life application of coding and engineering which makes the subject come alive. We’re continually seeing a disconnect between a need for these skilled jobs and those qualified to fill roles. Igniting a passion for coding and engineering at a young age is key to addressing this issue. I’m delighted to join the next stage of Engineering for Kids’ development with LaunchLife International.”
Darryl Simsovic, CEO of LaunchLife International, said, “In these challenging times, we need to invest more in the future of our children and the legacy they can create for the generations who follow us. LaunchLife International is determined to drive forward our belief in the power of education and the addition of this STEM focus to our portfolio is crucial.”
Part of LaunchLife International’s vision includes reaching as many communities across the globe as possible with our unique educational services – developing a strong network of franchise partners is key in delivering a long-term, sustainable impact.
“Our expertise in educational product development, business systems and technology, and first-class customer service will benefit Engineering for Kids’ stakeholders at every level. Harnessing synergies across the four brands will bring great learning opportunities for our students and growth for our franchise partners,” added Darryl.
LaunchLife International plans to take Engineering for Kids to the UK initially, as well as continuing to expand across those international markets where they already have a strong presence. The team expects to receive significant interest from prospective franchise partners keen to help kids globally grow their appreciation for studying robotics, coding and STEM-related subjects, especially important with the substantial learning loss children have experienced during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
