About Karim
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.
ContactMY SEARCH
I am seeking to acquire an Educational Service Provider (ESP) anywhere in Canada. ESPs encompass a broad range of private education businesses, including K-12 private and independent schools, post-secondary trade schools, private colleges, and online or virtual schools.
Canada’s private education sector is large, fragmented, and growing — with thousands of owner-operated institutions whose founders are approaching retirement with no clear succession plan. I see this as a compelling opportunity to acquire a strong, mission-aligned ESP and serve as its next dedicated owner-operator.
My target company has an enterprise value of CAD $5–50M (with a core focus on $10–30M), EBITDA of $1–5M, and a history of stable enrolment and revenue growth. I am particularly drawn to businesses with motivated sellers who care about what happens to their institution after they leave — and who want to pass it on to someone who understands education from the inside.
If you are an ESP owner considering your next chapter, I would welcome a conversation.
Market segments include
- IT Professional Services
- Managed Service Provider (MSP)
My contribution
I am committed to both ensuring the legacy of the company being acquired and increasing value. For me, value creation is based on three pillars: customers, employees, and shareholder value. It starts with value creation for employees. If you solve for that, everything downstream takes care of itself.
A strong workforce will create value for customers and with a strong customer base, you create value for shareholders.
Key Skills
Self Starter
Strategic
Highly Driven
Dedicated
Team player
NCA Searchers
Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) is a global firm that solves succession challenges faced by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through our Operator-Led Search Fund Program.
