The child development center industry in Europe focuses on providing quality early education and care for young children. Companies range from large corporate providers to smaller private establishments, offering services such as nursery programs, childcare support, and developmental activities. The demand for child development services continues to grow as parents seek nurturing environments for their children during critical formative years. Innovations in early education and increasing awareness of child development needs are shaping the industry’s future toward enhancing learning experiences and improved outcomes. This sector plays a vital role in shaping the society's future through the healthy development of children.


In 2024, various investors united under different types, including corporate, venture capital, and private equity firms, engaged in the child development sector. Companies like Busy Bees Nurseries and EQT Group, headquartered in the UK and Sweden, respectively, demonstrate the industry's geographical spread. These investors range in size from smaller firms to large entities managing significant assets. Notably, these investors participated in a combined total of 301 deals in 2024, illustrating their strong commitment to strengthening child development initiatives across Europe.


Top 13 Child Development Center Investors in Europe


1. Busy Bees Nurseries


Busy Bees Nurseries, founded in 1983 and based in Burntwood, England, is a leading childcare provider specializing in nursery education and early years programs. With a focus on creating a nurturing environment for children, Busy Bees emphasizes the development of essential skills for school readiness. Their services encompass meals, educational activities, and parental support through various resources. The company operates numerous nurseries across the UK and Ireland. Busy Bees has been actively expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, including BrightPath Early Learning in 2017, The Malvern School in 2023, kidsUniverse in 2018, and Giraffe Childcare facilities in 2018. These acquisitions reflect Busy Bees' commitment to enhancing its offerings in the child development sector and expanding its reach, particularly in North America and the UK.


2. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF addresses the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has made significant investments in the childcare sector, including a €10.5 million investment in Tigers Childcare, aimed at facilitating expansion and acquisitions within the childcare industry. Additionally, BGF has invested multiple times in Kids Planet, a UK-based nursery care and education business, providing funds to help the company double its number of nurseries over the next five years. These transactions highlight BGF's commitment to supporting the growth of businesses in the child development center space.


3. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. In recent years, Crowdcube has facilitated significant equity crowdfunding transactions, including Happity, which raised $772,923 in June 2022, focusing on services for parents and children. Additionally, Learnlife raised $1,417,797 in February 2022, which is relevant to educational development. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's involvement in sectors that align with child development, making it a noteworthy player in this space.


4. Academedia

  • Website: academedia.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: academedia

AcadeMedia AB, founded in 1996 and based in Stockholm, Sweden, is a leading education provider that offers a wide range of educational services, including preschool, primary, secondary, and adult education. The company serves approximately 200,000 individuals annually, emphasizing quality and development opportunities across various educational institutions. Notably, Academedia has made several strategic acquisitions in the preschool sector, including Touhula Päiväkodit in 2024, Espira in 2014, Pysslingen in 2011, Stepke in 2017, and Joki Kinderbetreuung in 2016. These acquisitions reflect Academedia's commitment to enhancing its operations in the child development center space and expanding its footprint in the early childhood education market.


5. Bpifrance French Tech Accélération


Bpifrance French Tech Accélération is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2015. As a public entity and financial institution, Bpifrance supports entrepreneurs and businesses in France and internationally through various services, including direct funding, export credit insurance, and private equity investments. The firm aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, helping businesses navigate growth and international expansion. Notably, Bpifrance has been involved in several transactions relevant to child development, including an investment in La Maison Bleue, which raised funds in 2016 and operates in the child care sector. Additionally, Bpifrance participated in funding rounds for Poppins, a company focused on children's neurodevelopmental disorders, with significant investments in 2021 and 2023, highlighting their commitment to supporting ventures that contribute to child development and health.


6. Kima Ventures

  • Website: kimaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 50
  • LinkedIn: kima-ventures

Kima Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, backing two startups per week with financial support and mentorship. Among their notable transactions, Kima Ventures invested in Parentalist, which raised $560,000 in a Pre-Seed round in July 2019, indicating a focus on parental support and child development. They also participated in the funding of Bsit, a Belgian babysitting app that raised €3 million, aimed at scaling its subscription-based childcare platform internationally. This investment highlights Kima Ventures' engagement in the childcare sector. Other investments include Magic Makers and Animaj, which may also relate to educational and developmental services for children, further showcasing their interest in the child development space.


7. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent investment firm founded in 1994, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, EQT serves institutional investors by managing diverse investment portfolios across various sectors and geographies. Among its notable transactions in the child development sector, EQT has invested in Touhula Varhaiskasvatus Oy, a leading provider of early childhood education in Finland, where it holds a majority stake. Additionally, EQT acquired Academedia AB, a significant player in the educational sector, which operates numerous schools and educational institutions. These investments highlight EQT's commitment to supporting and growing businesses within the child development and education space.


8. Livingbridge

  • Website: livingbridge.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: livingbridge

Livingbridge is a private equity firm based in London, England, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in investing in established and growing businesses across various sectors, including technology, services, healthcare & education, and consumer sectors. Livingbridge aims to provide capital and strategic support to help its portfolio companies unlock their potential and achieve growth through mergers and acquisitions, internationalization, and talent management. Notably, Livingbridge has made significant investments in the child development sector, including the acquisition of Kindred Education in December 2024, which supports growth in early years education. Additionally, they have previously invested in Kidsunlimited and Playforce, both of which are relevant to child development and education, showcasing their commitment to this industry.


9. Nesta

  • Website: nesta.org.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: nesta

Nesta is a not-for-profit innovation foundation based in London, England, founded in 1998. It focuses on social good by supporting various initiatives aimed at reducing inequality, improving health outcomes, and promoting sustainability through research, funding, and the development of innovative solutions. In 2019, Nesta provided grants to several organizations that directly impact child development, including Children's University (CU Trust), which promotes learning outside of school, and Mind Moose, which focuses on mental health education for children. These transactions highlight Nesta's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and well-being for children, aligning with their mission to address significant societal challenges.


10. Sandbox & Co

  • Website: sandboxandco.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn: sandbox-%26-co

Sandbox & Co is a corporate investor based in London, England, founded in 2015. The company specializes in educational technology, providing a variety of digital learning products and services aimed at children and families. Their offerings include the PlayKids+ app and cognitive training tools, designed to create engaging and safe learning environments for young audiences. Notably, Sandbox & Co has made significant investments in the child development space, including the acquisition of a majority stake in the preschool educational platform Hopster, which focuses on enhancing product development and supporting operations in the UK. They also acquired the children's edutainment company Fingerprint, integrating its offerings into their Sandbox Kids division. These transactions highlight Sandbox's commitment to expanding its portfolio in children's education and entertainment, making them a relevant investor in the child development center industry.


11. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a leading private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Notably, CVC has made a significant investment in GEMS Education, acquiring a 30% stake valued at approximately $1 billion, marking its first major foray into the Gulf region's education sector. This investment highlights CVC's interest in the education industry, which is closely related to child development. However, their other transactions, such as acquisitions in retail and healthcare, indicate a diverse investment portfolio that does not exclusively target child development centers.


12. Nord Anglia Education


Nord Anglia Education is a public entity based in London, England, that operates a network of international schools providing high-quality education. Founded in 1972, the organization focuses on delivering a British curriculum adapted to local cultures, with partnerships with leading institutions like MIT and Juilliard. Their schools cater to students and families seeking a globally recognized education, offering a range of academic and extracurricular programs. Notably, Nord Anglia Education has been involved in several significant acquisitions, including Leapfrog Day Nurseries in 2004, which directly relates to child development. This acquisition highlights their engagement in early childhood education. Additionally, they have expanded their portfolio by acquiring various international schools, such as Hamelin-Laie International School and the Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, further solidifying their position in the education sector.


13. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses through tailored financial solutions and guidance. Notably, Almi has participated in various funding rounds, including a significant investment in Zcooly, an EdTech startup that raised over SEK 20 million to support its growth and product development. This investment highlights Almi's engagement in sectors that are relevant to child development, as educational technology plays a crucial role in early childhood learning and development. Other transactions include investments in software and information systems, showcasing Almi's diverse portfolio, but Zcooly's involvement is particularly pertinent to the child development context.



Child Development Center Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Busy Bees NurseriesBurntwood, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19830
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
AcademediaStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+19961
Bpifrance French Tech AccélérationParis, Île-De-France, France1-102015198
Kima VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France1-10201050
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
LivingbridgeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20019953
NestaLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50019984
Sandbox & CoLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-50020150
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Nord Anglia EducationLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+19720
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947


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