I am a Montreal-based entrepreneur and educator with a career that spans both sides of the classroom — as a K-12 teacher and as the founder and operator of a private learning centre. That dual experience has given me a rare perspective: I understand what it takes to deliver a quality education, and I know what it takes to run a sustainable, growing education business.

Before joining Novastone Capital Advisors as a searcher, I built and operated my own EPS, navigating everything from curriculum design and student recruitment to staff management and financial operations. Prior to that, I spent over three years teaching at the K-12 level, where I developed a deep appreciation for the impact that great educational institutions have on students, families, and communities.

After exiting my EPS, I pivoted into the EdTech world — where I spent several years as a senior sales and marketing executive, helping scale 13 EdTech solutions across Canada and the United States toward successful exits. Working across both early-stage startups and growth-stage companies, I developed a strong command of how education technology is bought, sold, and adopted — and, just as importantly, what separates the solutions that stick from those that don’t. That experience sharpened my commercial instincts and gave me a broad view of where private education is heading.

I now bring to this search a hands-on operator’s mindset, deep sector knowledge across both traditional and technology-driven education, and the business acumen to identify and unlock value in owner-operated institutions. I am backed by Novastone Capital Advisors, a globally recognized search fund platform, and supported by a network of experienced investors and advisors.

Dean Curran CEO at Garner Osborne Circuits and Active-PCB Solutions

Let’s build what comes next.