Skillsoft (NYSE:SKIL) ("Skillsoft" or "the Company"), a leading AI-native skills management platform, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Global Knowledge instructor-led training ("ILT") business to an affiliate of Enduring Ventures (the "Buyer"). The transaction follows a comprehensive strategic assessment and represents a significant milestone in Skillsoft's transformation.

Skillsoft expects the transaction to deliver three primary strategic benefits:

  • Increased Focus: Allows Skillsoft to focus on scaling its AI-native skills management platform, including investments in content, technology, and AI-driven learning solutions.
  • Simplified Operating Model: Streamlines operations and enhances management focus on higher growth, higher-margin opportunities and improving growth, earnings, and free cash flow.
  • Continued Customer Value: Skillsoft expects to maintain a strategic partnership with Global Knowledge following the transaction. Skillsoft customers would retain access to high-quality instructor-led training. Global Knowledge customers would retain access to the Skillsoft platform. Both organizations are committed to delivering integrated, multimodal learning experiences to their respective customer bases.

"Following a comprehensive strategic review, we determined that this transaction is the right step to further sharpen our focus and accelerate Skillsoft's transformation," said Ron Hovsepian, Chief Executive Officer of Skillsoft. "This strengthens our ability to concentrate investment, innovation, and resources on our AI-native skills management platform, where we see the greatest opportunity to help organizations build workforce readiness, close critical skill gaps, and drive measurable business outcomes."

Hovsepian continued, "We expect the deal to be immediately accretive to growth rates, earnings, and cash flow. Our customers are under immense pressure to build AI-ready workforces, and we are now in a stronger position to meet that demand."

Sieva Kozinsky, Managing Partner of Enduring Ventures, commented, "Global Knowledge is the gold standard in technology and IT training, with a 30-year track record helping organizations upskill their technical workforce. We're acquiring it because we believe that mission is more relevant today than ever. The pace of AI-driven change means that continuous, expert-led training isn't a nice-to-have, it's a competitive necessity. We look forward to building Global Knowledge through the next chapter, along with our continued partnership with Skillsoft, providing our common customers with the best in skills development through multi-modal learning."

Transaction Details

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, at the closing of the transaction, Skillsoft will be entitled to initial consideration of an amount equal to $10 million, subject to adjustment as set forth in the agreement, including adjustments based on the estimated working capital (including cash) and indebtedness of Global Knowledge as of immediately prior to the closing date. This initial purchase consideration of $10 million is to be funded by Global Knowledge's cash, a seller note issued by Global Knowledge to Skillsoft and/or third-party financing obtained by the Buyer. The seller note, which is payable to Skillsoft on July 31, 2026 (with $2 million of the principal amount extendable to October 31, 2026), will be secured by Global Knowledge's cash and accounts receivable.