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ApplyBoard acquires Panda Portal (rebranded as TrainHub)

ApplyBoard (the platform revolutionizing the international student journey) announced the acquisition of Panda Portal, an international education industry training ecosystem, software platform and proprietary technology. As part of the acquisition, Panda Portal has now been rebranded by ApplyBoard as TrainHub and it will remain a stand alone platform powered by ApplyBoard. Founded in 2020, TrainHub is an innovative training ecosystem that connects educational institutions with their recruitment partners to support their shared ongoing education and training needs using in-depth, up-to-date and approved materials, from more than 150 global partner educational institutions.

Meti Basiri, CMO and Co-Founder of ApplyBoard and Jimmy Battaglia, Founder and Head of TrainHub
Meti Basiri, CMO and Co-Founder of ApplyBoard and Jimmy Battaglia, Founder and Head of TrainHub (Source: ApplyBoard)

TrainHub will continue to positively impact the lives of millions of students to receive reliable and accurate information in order to reach their study abroad dreams. TrainHub is exceptionally aligned with ApplyBoard’s mission to both improve global access to education and #educatetheworld. As international students are critical to powering and supporting global innovation, the race for talent has become more competitive than ever before. The acquisition of TrainHub is part of ApplyBoard’s overall global strategy to enable recruitment partners worldwide to ensure international students consistently receive best-in-class support and accurate information to position them for success, helping to bridge gaps in the study abroad journey and support global economies.

“It is exciting to now be part of one of the most dynamic technology companies in the world,” says Jimmy Battaglia, Founder and Head of TrainHub. “Remaining a stand alone platform, with the backing and support of ApplyBoard, will allow TrainHub to continue to expand and bring our product and services to more schools, and more recruitment partners, who play a vital role in helping students navigate their study abroad journey”. 

This is ApplyBoard’s first acquisition in its seven year history and follows several years of accelerated growth as one of North America’s fastest growing technology companies. In June 2021, ApplyBoard raised US$300M in a Series D funding round at a post-money valuation of US$3.2B. The unicorn plans to use these funds to further break down the barriers to international education by developing and introducing innovative product offerings to propel the industry forward.

Source: Global Newswire