EAB (company)

EAB
TypePrivate
IndustryEducation research, Education technology, Consulting
Founded1979 (1979)
HeadquartersWashington, DC, United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
David Felsenthal (CEO)
Number of employees
2,000
Websiteeab.com

EAB Global, Inc is an education company headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional U.S. offices in Richmond, Virginia, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as international offices in the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, and Nepal. The company traces its origins to The Advisory Board Company, a research and advisory organization founded in 1979, and became an independent entity in 2017. EAB provides research, technology, and services to educational institutions in areas including enrollment, recruitment, student success, advancement marketing, data and analytics, and institutional strategy. EAB serves over 2,800 institutions worldwide, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and Fortune 500 companies. EAB routinely produces research reports on trends in higher education, including analyses of financial and demographic pressures affecting colleges and universities.

History

EAB, formerly the Education Advisory Board, originated as the education-focused division of The Advisory Board Company.[1] The Advisory Board Company was founded in 1979 and initially developed research and advisory services for healthcare organizations before expanding into the education sector.[2] The Advisory Board Company developed a model combining research, services, and software for institutions to implement operational improvements, which later became the structure of EAB's education-focused developments.[2][3] EAB was established as an education division of The Advisory Board Company in 2007.[1] In January 2015, the company announced it would acquire Royall & Company, Virginia-based firm focused on enrollment management and student recruitment services. Royall & Company, founded in 1983, had its services integrated into EAB's education offerings, eventually evolving into the company's Enroll360 and Adult Learner Recruitment offerings.[4][3]

In 2015, EAB acquired GradesFirst, a student success technology company based in Birmingham, Alabama. The acquisition contributed to the development of EAB's student success technology, including Navigate360.[5] Navigate360 is an enrollment, retention, and advancement CRM platform used by higher education, with AI features designed to support student communications and administrative workflows.[6][7] Institutions use the system to track indicators such as course participation, academic performance, and financial activity in order to support student enrollment, retention, and advancement.[6][7]

On November 17, 2017, EAB announced that it would become an independent company, separate from The Advisory Board Company, and would be acquired by Vista Equity Partners.[8][9]

EAB acquired the platform YouVisit in 2019, providing virtual campus tours and interactive web content used by colleges and universities to recruit prospective students.[10]

In 2021, EAB expanded its portfolio through acquisitions in both student success technology and corporate services. In February 2021, the company announced the acquisition of Starfish, a platform used by higher education institutions to support student success initiatives, from Hobsons.[11] In May 2021, BC Partners bought half of the company from Vista Equity Partners, becoming joint owners in the firm.[12] Later that year, EAB acquired Seramount, from Bonnier Corp, adding a corporate-focused advisory brand offering workplace research and talent related services [13] The firm’s Seramount brand serves over 650 corporations and Fortune 500 companies with talent services. The brand offers corporate clients best practice employee research, workplace assessment, employee learning and development, and talent sourcing.[14]

In 2023, EAB launched Appily, providing tools for exploring colleges and academic programs, including searchable college profiles with admissions-related information and support, and a scholarship feature. The platform was developed following the company's earlier acquisition of Cappex.[15][16] Also in 2023, EAB was first named to the GSV EdTech150 and has appeared on the list for several subsequent years.[17]

In 2024, EAB acquired Forage, a company providing virtual job simulations designed to help students explore career paths and develop professional skills, expanding its tools that connect student success platforms with career preparation resources.[18]

In 2026, EAB acquired Hybrid, a UK-based digital marketing company focused on higher education, to expand its marketing capabilities, including brand, paid media, and AI-driven tools, as well as to expand its reach outside the U.S.[19]

References

  1. 1 2 "About Us". EAB. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Stannard-Stockton, Sean (2017-03-16). "Advisory Board Company: Reducing the Cost of Health Care & Improving Patient Outcomes". Intrinsic Investing. Retrieved 2026-02-18.
  3. 1 2 "EAB, education services company with 500 employees in Henrico, has new owner". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  4. ↑ "Royall & Co. to be Acquired for $850M - EdSurge News". EdSurge. 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  5. ↑ "The Advisory Board Company Acquires GradesFirst for Engaging At-Risk Students - EdSurge News". EdSurge. 2015-02-12. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  6. 1 2 Riggin, Faune (2025-11-07). "SEMO Receives National Recognition for Achievements in Student Success". KZIM KSIM. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  7. 1 2 "EAB Adds New AI Features to CRM Software Navigate -". Campus Technology. Retrieved 2026-01-30.
  8. ↑ EAB. "EAB Established as an Independent Organization". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  9. ↑ "Advisory Board closes sale of its education division". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  10. ↑ Dahlberg, Nancy (2019-12-06). "Exit news: YouVisit acquired by education company EAB - Refresh Miami". Retrieved 2026-04-07.
  11. ↑ "EAB to Enhance Its Student Success Collaborative by Acquiring Starfish". Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  12. ↑ "BC Partners Joins Vista Equity Partners as an Investor in EAB | EAB". eab.com. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  13. ↑ "EAB Acquires Seramount-the Leading Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Firm-from Bonnier Corp. | EAB". eab.com. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  14. ↑ "Companies Are Using AI to Recruit a More Diverse Workforce". Seramount. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  15. ↑ Paul, Ira Wilder,Trina (2021-09-19). "The best websites to find college scholarships". CNBC. Retrieved 2026-05-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ Jaschik, Scott. "EAB Acquires Cappex". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  17. ↑ "The Most Transformational Growth Companies In Digital Learning and Workforce Skills" (PDF). 2026.
  18. ↑ "EAB to Acquire Forage to Bridge the Gap Between College and Career for Millions of Students | EAB". eab.com. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
  19. ↑ Doughty, Nate (2026-01-06). "D.C.-based EAB acquires U.K. firm that helps colleges navigate AI-driven search". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
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