Kinvolved Acquisition: Key Details, Impact, and What Comes Next

PowerSchool's acquisition of Kinvolved marks a significant development in the education technology sector. By integrating Kinvolved's communication and attendance solutions, PowerSchool aims to enhance its K-12 platform, improving engagement and reducing absenteeism. This strategic move underscores the growing importance of comprehensive, cloud-based tools in modern education.

What Is Kinvolved?

Kinvolved, founded in 2012, specializes in communication and attendance solutions for K-12 education. Its core products include a mobile app and web platform that facilitate real-time communication between schools and families, aiming to improve student attendance and engagement. A unique selling point of Kinvolved is its focus on reducing absenteeism through direct, actionable communication, setting it apart in the education technology market.

Who Acquired Kinvolved?

PowerSchool is a leading provider in the education technology industry, offering a comprehensive suite of cloud-based solutions designed to improve K-12 education. Key products include student information systems, learning management systems, and analytics tools that help educators and administrators manage and enhance the learning experience. With a significant market presence, PowerSchool serves millions of students and educators worldwide, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the advancement of educational technology.

When Was Kinvolved Acquired?

PowerSchool acquired Kinvolved in January 2022. This acquisition came at a time when the education sector was grappling with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had significantly increased chronic absenteeism rates. The integration of Kinvolved's communication tools into PowerSchool's platform aimed to address these challenges by enhancing engagement and reducing absenteeism, reflecting a broader industry trend towards comprehensive, cloud-based solutions to improve educational outcomes.

Why Was Kinvolved Acquired?

• Market Expansion: The acquisition of Kinvolved allows PowerSchool to enter new markets by integrating Kinvolved’s communication and engagement solutions into its existing K-12 platform. Kinvolved’s products support over 250,000 students and are used within three of the top four school districts in the United States, significantly broadening PowerSchool’s market reach.
• Technology Integration: PowerSchool benefits from Kinvolved’s advanced communication technology, which includes two-way communication, attendance, and engagement tools. This integration enhances PowerSchool’s Unified Home solution, enabling schools and districts to strengthen and simplify overall communications and notifications between school and home, thereby increasing engagement and reducing absenteeism.
• Competitive Advantage: By acquiring Kinvolved, PowerSchool strengthens its position against competitors in the education technology market. The addition of Kinvolved’s leading communication engine provides a more comprehensive and effective solution for schools and districts, enhancing communication capabilities, improving attendance tracking, and fostering stronger engagement between schools and families.

Acquisition Terms

• Acquisition Price: The terms of the acquisition price were not publicly disclosed.
• Payment Method: The transaction was funded with cash on hand.
• Key Conditions or Agreements:
  • PowerSchool and Kinvolved will continue to operate separately until the official close of the transaction.
  • The transaction is expected to close in PowerSchool’s first fiscal quarter.
  • The acquisition aims to integrate Kinvolved’s communication engine with PowerSchool’s Unified Home solution to improve engagement and reduce absenteeism.

Impact on Kinvolved

The acquisition of Kinvolved by PowerSchool has led to notable changes in operations and management. Kinvolved's communication engine is now integrated into PowerSchool’s Unified Home solution, enhancing the way schools manage communication and notifications between educators, students, and families. While both companies continue to operate separately until the transaction officially closes, this integration marks a significant shift in how Kinvolved's technology is utilized within a larger educational framework.

Regarding product offerings, the merger has expanded the capabilities of PowerSchool’s platform by incorporating Kinvolved’s advanced communication, attendance, and engagement tools. This integration aims to improve student outcomes by fostering stronger collaboration between schools and families. Employee reactions have been generally positive, with many expressing optimism about the enhanced resources and broader reach. Customers, particularly school districts, have welcomed the acquisition, anticipating improved engagement and reduced absenteeism.

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