Brave Bison announces acquisition of MiniMBA for £19 million to launch standalone EdTech division
Marketing and technology group says the deal will anchor a new skills and capabilities practice focused on strategic training for brand teams.
Brave Bison has agreed to acquire London-based online learning company MiniMBA from Centaur Media for £19 million. The deal will see the EdTech firm form the foundation of Brave Bison’s new skills and capabilities division, which will operate alongside its existing marketing and technology services businesses.
MiniMBA, founded by former London Business School professor Mark Ritson, provides online business and marketing education to approximately 6,000 learners annually. The company sells directly to professionals and enterprise clients, including Google, Nestlé, McDonald’s, and Salesforce.
Ritson and CEO Tim Plyming will remain in leadership roles, with Ritson continuing to teach and investing £4 million into Brave Bison, becoming a top-five shareholder as part of the transaction.
Revenue and EBITDA uplift expected post-acquisition
Brave Bison expects the acquisition to increase pro forma net revenue by 43 percent to £36.5 million and adjusted EBITDA by 80 percent to £8.1 million. The company said the addition of MiniMBA aligns with its strategy to support marketing teams navigating rapid changes in technology and consumer behavior.
“Today’s marketing professionals are operating in an environment that is more complex than ever. With culture fragmented and technology constantly evolving, the need to move with agility and think strategically has never been more paramount,” says Oliver Green, executive chairman of Brave Bison.
“This is our eighth acquisition and our largest to date and emphasises our commitment to becoming the marketing and technology partner-of-choice for future-focused brands in innovative ways,” he adds.
Funding secured through new facility and share placing
Brave Bison will finance the deal through a mix of debt and equity. A new £10 million revolving credit facility has been secured, with £6 million to be drawn. An additional £13.5 million will be raised through a share placing with new and existing investors.
This marks Brave Bison’s second recent acquisition, following its purchase of SEO agency Builtvisible earlier this year. The company said that deal created the UK’s largest independent SEO team.
“I have been hugely impressed from the very outset with the way Brave Bison operate and their vision for the future,” says Mark Ritson. “We could not have found a better home for MiniMBA and, given the vision and growth mindset that I have seen first-hand, becoming a significant shareholder in Brave Bison and member of the team is enormously attractive.”
