Exam and assessment software provider Paragin snapped up by ECI Partners

Deal marks next phase for Benelux exam and assessment software provider as private equity focus shifts to international expansion.

Main Capital Partners has completed the sale of Paragin Group, a Netherlands-based provider of exam and assessment software, to ECI Partners. The transaction ends Main’s ownership period, which began in 2021, and positions Paragin for further international growth in the digital exams market.

Paragin delivers software that supports high-stakes assessment processes across vocational education, higher education, exam institutions, and commercial education providers. The company employs approximately 120 staff from more than 20 nationalities and serves around 1,250 end customers across more than 20 countries.

From Dutch player to Benelux market leader

Main first invested in Paragin in 2021. Since then, the company has expanded beyond its domestic base to become a market leader in the Benelux region, while growing its international footprint.

Under Main’s ownership, Paragin completed three acquisitions: Sowiso in 2022, Coachview in 2023, and Xebic in 2024. The company states that mergers and acquisitions will remain central to its strategy under ECI.

Jeroen Bakker, CEO of Paragin Group, says: “With Main as our strategic partner, we have accelerated our growth, expanded our solutions suite, and strengthened our position across the EdTech landscape. We share a clear ambition to support students and educators through innovative, scalable technology that delivers significant value for education and exams. With ECI now joining us, we are excited to build out our ambitions even further, working with partners and customers on reliable and impactful software solutions that benefit millions of learners and professionals across the world.”

Paragin’s software suite supports the full assessment lifecycle, including test design, delivery, evaluation, certification, and reporting. The platform is used for formative and summative assessments, online admissions and placement testing, and professional and vocational examinations. It also supports adjacent workflows such as e-portfolios, internship and work-based learning management, and course management.

ECI backs next phase of growth

Rory Nath, Partner at ECI, says: “Paragin stands out for its sincere commitment to the customers and learners who depend on its exceptional software. Our values align with Jeroen and the team’s, and we are excited to enter this partnership. Paragin is the clear market leader in Benelux, and we are backing the business to continue its international expansion journey. This includes bringing its thoughtful approach to M&A to new geographies. We truly believe Paragin represents the best home for mission driven businesses in the fragmented exam and assessment software market.”

Sjoerd Aarts, Managing Partner & Head of Benelux at Main, says: “After five years of a very constructive collaboration with Paragin, we are proud to see the company enter its next phase of growth. Paragin’s journey over the past years is a strong reflection of our strategy to build attractive, scalable market leaders. Working closely together with the management team, we have expanded Paragin into a differentiated exam & assessment platform with a high quality product suite and a loyal customer base. We look forward to following Paragin’s continued growth with the support of ECI.”

ECI was advised on the transaction by Arma Partners and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek.

Digital assessment remains active investment area

The deal reflects continued private equity interest in digital assessment infrastructure. High-stakes exams, professional certification, and vocational testing increasingly rely on secure, scalable platforms that can support remote and hybrid delivery models.

Paragin states that its cloud-based systems underpin mission-critical assessment workflows for more than 750 organizations directly and a further 500 through partners, including universities, vocational providers, publishers, corporates, and public sector bodies. Its software supports assessment processes for millions of learners and professionals.

As exam digitization continues across Europe and beyond, platform consolidation and M&A activity remain active themes in the EdTech software market.

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