DLA Piper advises Russian online English school Skyeng on acquisition of 25% stake in Qmarketing Academy

DLA Piper has advised Russian online English school Skyeng on the acquisition of a 25% stake in Qmarketing Academy, a Russian online school of marketing and design, from Qmarketing.

Skyeng will integrate the online school into the professional education division of its Skypro online university. At the first stage of the deal, Skyeng will buy a 25% stake in Qmarketing Academy, with the possibility of further increasing its ownership. The deal will expand Skypro’s product line and increase its expertise in promoting educational courses in the area of continuing professional education.

Skyeng is one of the largest EdTech companies in Russia, combining products for children and adults in a single online educational ecosystem. It includes renown European online English school for adults Skyeng, the Skysmart online school for children and adolescents, and the Skyes digital turnkey service for universities. In 2021, the company launched Skypro online university, marking the company’s entry into the professional education market.

Training in the Skyeng online ecosystem takes place on Vimbox’s educational platform using artificial intelligence and big data technologies. The platform is integrated with the student’s personal account, dictionary and mobile application.

The DLA Piper Moscow-based Corporate team was led by partner and Global Co-Chair of Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Leo Batalov, supported by legal director Andrei Sheetkin, associate Konstantin Savryga and paralegal Alexandra Khvorostyanova.