ConnectEDU is looking to make the most of recent deals with relevant parties in Texas and has earmarked its Austin office as the base for its forthcoming operations across the southern United States.
The company’s business model is to offer a way for parents, pupils and educators to identify college courses and career paths that are both viable and desirable for the individuals involved. The company reached a number of significant implementation agreements in various parts of the US towards the end of last year.
Craig Powell, ConnectEDU’s chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to open an office in the Lone Star State. As a company, we’re poised for continued growth, with a pool of exceptional talent to choose from in Austin.”
“We’re committed to providing schools with comprehensive online products to help students, parents, counsellors, teachers, and administrators manage the high school-to-college-to-career planning process,” added Chris Sharman, the newly-appointed director of ConnectEDU’s operation in Texas.
Back in November of last year, the renewable energy giant SunPower revealed its plan to open a new area of office space in Austin, with around 450 jobs set to be created in the process.
Across the American office space market, the past few years have been difficult for both owners and occupiers, but Cushman & Wakefield recently reported the first full-year positive absorption figures nationwide since 2007.
Editor’s notes: In May 2014, VC firm New Markets Venture Partners acquired the assets of ConnectEDU for $1 million after it filed for bankruptcy.
Craig Powell served as a strategic partner to the VC firm and, as of May 2023, remained a partner at New Markets Venture Partners.
In 2023, the firm’s Impact Report highlighted that, to date, its portfolio of companies had served more than 72 million American students and job seekers. And that 63 million post-secondary credentials had been issued, providing evidence of skills and achievement, thereby increasing salaries by 57 per cent on average for those who achieved.
In March 2023, Forbes reported that the VC firm had realised $3.3 billion in value for its investors since its launch.
In May 2026, two EdTech companies that New Markets Venture Partners invested in, Climb Credit and Mursion, were named in TIME’s ‘America’s Top EdTech Companies of 2026’ list.