CMS Backs One-Day University

One-Day University, an educational event planning company, has raised an undisclosed amount of growth equity from the CMS Small-Cap Private Equity Fund.

 

PRESS RELEASE

The CMS Small-Cap Private Equity Fund has made its seventh portfolio investment, providing growth equity for One-Day University, an educational event planning company that offers students one-day seminars and lectures from the nation’s leading college and university professors.

 

The CMS Fund is investing alongside One-Day University co-founder John Galvin, who will maintain his executive-level role, and several existing individual investors.

 

“One Day University has developed a unique business model, a dedicated and growing customer base, and an identifiable brand in the education sector. We are excited about the opportunity to work with management as we broaden One Day University’s offerings,” said Daniel Eisenstadt, Managing Director of Private Equity at CMS.

 

Since launching its first event in September 2006, ODU has conducted more than 80 events in 12 markets including metro New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. A full-day event includes four 70-minute lectures and lunch. The Company has lectured to more than 15,000 students on a range of topics including economics, political science, film, art, philosophy, foreign affairs, law and music.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome CMS as an active partner in growing One Day University,” said Rob Klapper, the Company’s CEO. “Our collaboration will enable us to significantly grow the Company’s presence among adult lifelong learners by extending our reach and expanding the types of programs we offer our students.”

 

Klapper, an accomplished marketer and general manager with 25 years of experience driving growth and building brands for several Fortune 500 companies, assumed the role of CEO in 2008.

 

The CMS Fund’s other portfolio companies are Liberty Restaurant Group, a collection of Burger King restaurants in the St. Louis area; Beckfield College, a for-profit school offering degrees in nursing, paralegal, business and criminal justice in the Cincinnati market; Med-Dispense, a provider of automated medical dispensing cabinets to health care facilities; Marmol Radziner Prefab, a designer and manufacturer of modern, green prefabricated homes and furniture; Cedar Valley Exteriors, a storm restoration business based in Minnesota; and Multi-Flow Industries, a processor and distributor of juice and beverage concentrates.

 

 

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The CMS Small-Cap Private Equity Fund invests in entrepreneurs and their companies. We focus on businesses with less than $10 million in cash flow. The fund is a direct private equity offering from CMS Companies, a Philadelphia investment firm that has helped entrepreneurs grow, manage and preserve their personal wealth for more than 35 years. Context Capital Partners is a joint-venture partner in the fund. For more information, please visit our Web site, www.cmssmallcap.com or call me at 610-896-3072.