DLA Piper advises Cultural Experiences Abroad in investment from Infinedi Partners

DLA Piper represented Cultural Experiences Abroad, LLC (CEA), a provider of study abroad educational programs for US university students in foreign countries, in a recent investment from private equity firm Infinedi Partners, LP.

Established in 1997 and headquartered in Phoenix, CEA provides international study and internship programs to US university students, focusing on the holistic student experience of living and learning abroad. CEA works with leading US universities to provide comprehensive academic and career development programs for their students. In 2019, CEA provided study abroad and internship abroad programs for more than 4,800 students in 22 cities across 14 countries, representing more than 300 sending universities.

“Our extensive private equity experience and deep understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing the higher education industry contributed significantly in our representation of CEA in this investment,” said David Lewis, the DLA Piper partner who led the firm’s deal team. “We were thrilled to partner with CEA in this transaction, which will enable it to fully support its US university partners during this time of disruption in international education and continue to facilitate high-quality programs and experiences for university students in the future.”

Brian Boubek, founder and CEO of Cultural Experiences Abroad, stated: “It was a pleasure working with the DLA Piper team on this important transaction. In addition to their sector and PE experience, their willingness to work long hours, late nights and weekends to get this over the finish line, and their ability to work remotely across multiple offices in seamless fashion, were key factors in getting this transaction closed ahead of schedule during this unique period.”

In addition to Lewis (Phoenix), the DLA Piper team representing CEA included partner Kevin Criddle (Phoenix) and associate Jaspreet Mann (San Francisco).

DLA Piper’s Private Equity practice includes more than 100 US lawyers who provide strategic counsel to private equity funds and the industry-leading companies they invest in. In 2019, Pitchbook recognized DLA Piper as the second most active private equity law firm globally, further solidifying the strength of the firm’s team and its depth of experience executing private equity transactions.