American Sentinel University Raises Growth Equity Capital

Capstone Partners, a national investment banking advisory firm, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Capstone Capital Markets LLC, announced today that it has successfully advised American Sentinel University, an accredited online university that provides degree programs for professionals, on a $9.0 million growth equity investment from JLL Partners, a leading private equity investor with over $3.0 billion under management.  Funds from the investment will allow the University to execute on its growth strategy going forward.  Capstone Capital Markets acted as sole placement agent in the transaction, in which the University issued $9.0 million of new Preferred Stock.

This transaction provides the necessary capital to ensure that American Sentinel maintains its competitive lead in delivering exceptional degree programs to working adults in high-growth fields such as nursing, healthcare and information technology. With significant investment experience in the post-secondary education space, JLL Partners should prove to be an exceptional partner for the University. It has been a pleasure to work with both the American Sentinel management team and the investment team at JLL Partners.

David DeSimoneManaging Director, Capstone

American Sentinel University, founded as a Vanderbilt University Technology Company, is a leading online university that delivers to its students the competitive advantages of unique online degree programs focused on the needs of high-growth sectors.  Its nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the university is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).  The Accrediting Commission of DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.  For more information, visit, www.americansentinel.edu.

JLL Partners is a leading private equity investment firm based in New York.  Founded in 1988, JLL manages more than $3 billion in equity capital and is currently investing through its sixth fund.  JLL’s investors include major university endowments, state pension funds, charitable foundations, corporate pension funds and other institutions.  JLL’s investment philosophy is to partner with outstanding management teams to invest in companies to build cooperatively into market leaders.  For more information, visit, www.jllpartners.com.