Infinedi Partners Completes Investment in Cultural Experiences Abroad

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Infinedi Partners, LP, a private equity firm focused on long-term partnerships with founder-owned businesses, announced today the completion of its second investment.

Cultural Experiences Abroad, LLC (“CEA” or the “Company”) is the fourth largest provider of study abroad educational programs for U.S. university students in foreign countries. In 2019, CEA provided study abroad and internship abroad programs for over 4,800 students in 22 cities across 14 countries, representing more than 300 sending universities.

Brian Boubek, Founder and CEO of CEA remarked, “Our Partnership with Infinedi will allow CEA to fully support our U.S. university partners during this time of disruption in international education. We will also add significant Health & Safety resources and strategies to benefit our students and university partners. In addition, CEA now has the staying power to remain a leader in study abroad until the market rebounds.”

“Over the last decade, we have been incredibly impressed with Brian’s and CEA’s mission of partnering with leading U.S. universities to provide their students with high quality academic programs, internships and study abroad experiences that drive personal growth, intercultural development and employability. This mission-first focus has positioned CEA as a leader in study abroad, and we are excited to be a part of its next chapter,” said Carter Harned, Partner of Infinedi.

Jay Hegenbart, Founder and Managing Partner of Infinedi said, “Our firm has been able to invest over $140 million of equity since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We are thrilled and humbled by the achievement of this significant milestone and the growth of our independent track record.”

Prior to establishing Infinedi, Mr. Hegenbart was Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Harvest Partners, SCF, which was founded through a partnership between Mr. Hegenbart and Harvest Partners, LP. While at Harvest Partners, SCF, he successfully raised and deployed a $376 million Fund I.

“Many entrepreneurs, who believe that wealth is created by being contrarian, have approached us to explore partnerships that will allow them to take advantage of dislocation in their industry. We look forward to publicly announcing investments in the near future which can serve as additional case studies for types of creative partnerships we offer to founder-owners,” added Mr. Hegenbart.

Messrs. Hegenbart and Harned have joined the Board of CEA and Jordan Portner from Infinedi also worked on the transaction. Dickinson Wright LLP served as legal counsel to Infinedi, Dechert LLP served as legal counsel to Infinedi Partners investment funds and DLA Piper LLP represented CEA.

This announcement appears as a matter of record only. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase an interest in any current or future Infinedi Partners fund.

About Infinedi Partners

Infinedi Partners is a private equity firm focused on long-term partnerships with founder owned businesses and financial entrepreneurs. Based in New York, the firm was founded in March 2018 by Jay Hegenbart. Unlike many traditional private equity firms, Infinedi does not require business owners to relinquish control. Additional elements of flexibility include using less financial leverage and having investment durations longer than is typical.

The firm’s approach is solution-based, working with business owners to create tailor-made private equity investments orientated to maximize effectiveness for all stakeholders. Infinedi’s investments have included both control and non-control structures. Its investors include a diverse group of prominent institutions and family offices who also represent many of the world’s largest and most prominent private equity investors. Many of these institutions have known the principals for decades and have benefitted from their successful track record of investing.

Infinedi is actively seeking new investment opportunities. Visit infinedi.com for more information.

About CEA

Established in 1997 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, CEA Study Abroad provides international study and internship programs to U.S. university students, focusing on the holistic student experience of living and learning abroad. CEA works with leading U.S. universities to provide comprehensive academic and career development programs for their students. CEA offers programs in 22 locations, across Europe, Latin America and Africa through study centers and partnerships with local universities.

Visit www.ceastudyabroad.com for more information.