Dallas, TX – Trive Capital, a private equity firm based in Dallas, and Epic Partners, have jointly announced a strategic investment in Pryor Learning, a premier provider of corporate training, credentialing, and educational content. This investment aims to bolster Pryor Learning’s position as a leader in delivering accessible and effective learning solutions to small and medium-sized businesses across diverse industries.
Founded in 1970 as Fred Pryor Seminars, Pryor Learning, headquartered in Mission, Kansas, has built a strong reputation for delivering award-winning and timely learning solutions. The company offers a comprehensive suite of training formats, including traditional In-Person Events, interactive Live Virtual Seminars, concise Webinars, and its flagship Pryor+ subscription service. This range of options ensures individuals, teams, and entire organizations can access the resources they need to enrich their skills, drive transformation, and achieve professional growth. Pryor Learning’s extensive content library is designed to be both impactful and affordable, catering to the practical needs of today’s businesses.
Alongside this significant investment, Pryor Learning welcomes Steven Riehs as the new Chief Executive Officer. Riehs brings a wealth of experience in the education sector, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions and Innovation at International Education Corporation. His prior leadership roles include CEO, COO, and senior positions at well-known education companies such as Adtalem, Maxim Partners, and Kaplan. “Pryor Learning has a distinguished 50-year history as a trusted source for accessible, affordable, and highly effective business content,” stated Riehs. “I am excited to lead the company during this pivotal time in the evolution of hybrid learning. My focus will be on collaborating with our talented team to continuously innovate our offerings and exceed the evolving expectations of our valued customers.”
Chris Zugaro, Partner at Trive Capital, also commented on the investment, stating, “We are excited to partner with Pryor Learning, a proven leader in the corporate training space. The company’s expertise in digital delivery, its broad and diverse customer base, a high-caliber management team, and its access to leading content are key factors in our investment decision. Pryor Learning provides a best-in-class solution particularly valuable to the underserved small and medium business market, enabling employees to complete essential mandatory training and crucial upskilling initiatives. Our strategy for future growth includes targeted organic investments aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience, as well as strategic acquisitions to expand Pryor’s proprietary content base and further develop its tech-enabled platform.”
Tyton Partners acted as the financial advisor to Pryor Learning in this transaction. Legal counsel was provided to Trive Capital and Epic Partners by Polsinelli.
About Pryor Learning
For over five decades, Pryor Learning has been instrumental in enhancing the skills of workforces, serving 3 million businesses and 13 million learners. Pryor Learning empowers both individual professionals and teams with access to a wide array of learning opportunities, including virtual and in-person live seminars. Subscribers also benefit from thousands of on-demand courses available through Pryor’s advanced learning management system. Pryor Learning’s core mission is centered around building effective training pathways that empower and upskill employees, ultimately contributing to organizations across all industries in retaining engaged, skilled, and compliant workforces.
About Epic Partners
Epic Partners, based in New York, is a merchant banking firm with a dedicated focus on investments within the education and training sectors. Their exclusive focus within this industry makes them a valuable partner for companies like Pryor Learning seeking growth and strategic direction.
