))
From Startup to Sector Leader: Chris Curran on Education, M&A, and Impact
Manage episode 480958196 series 3435497
Content provided by Adam Giery. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Adam Giery or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
In this episode of Capital Class, recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025, host Adam Giery sits down with Chris Curran, the Founder and CEO of Tyton Partners. A towering figure in education banking and consulting, Curran shares insights from a 25-year journey that spans public policy, entrepreneurship, and over $20 billion in transaction volume across global education markets.
Giery and Curran dive into today’s uncertain market landscape, discussing how economic turbulence impacts M&A in the education sector. Curran pulls back the curtain on the complexities of selling an education company, highlighting the risks of "unbanked" deals and the essential role of a trusted advisor in maximizing value for founder-led businesses.
Curran also reflects on the founding of Tyton Partners—a firm born from the fusion of public service, Wall Street banking, and entrepreneurial grit—and its mission to serve education enterprises with both capital and counsel. With characteristic candor, he explains how Tyton’s service-driven model and deep sector expertise have reshaped how education companies grow, merge, and thrive.
From at-risk learners and skills-to-jobs pathways to the global rise of edtech, Curran offers an unvarnished look at the trends shaping the future. Along the way, he opens up about personal lessons learned, the balance between ambition and family, and the enduring power of mission-driven work.
Key Moments
00:00 ASU GSV 2025: Education Industry Evolution
05:08 Common Business Process Pitfalls
08:23 Titan Partners: Education-Focused Ventures
11:50 Global Success in Emerging Markets
16:10 AI's Impact on Education Pathways
17:53 Cultivating Future Company Leaders
Connect with Chris Curran
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curranchristopher
Website: https://tytonpartners.com/
29 episodes
Share
