Key Takeaways
- • Virent Capital, a Radnor, Pennsylvania-based lower middle market private equity firm, has entered a strategic partnership with Kanahoma, a San Diego higher education marketing agency, according to a Business Wire release.
- • Chip Paucek, co-founder and former CEO of 2U, has joined Kanahoma as Co-Chairman of its board of directors.
- • Founder Seth Odell continues as CEO and retains significant ownership in the business.
- • Kanahoma, founded in 2020 with nearly 50 full-time employees, supports more than 20 institutions nationwide and was named to the Inc. 5000 in both 2025 and 2026.
- • The partnership will fund data analytics, artificial intelligence, and technology investments, plus services linking marketing to enrollment strategy. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Summary
Kanahoma, a San Diego-based higher education marketing agency, announced a strategic partnership with Virent Capital, a private equity firm focused on founder-led businesses, according to a Business Wire release dated October 27, 2026. The release does not disclose the size of the investment or the ownership stake acquired by Virent.
The partnership is intended to support broader enrollment services and investment in the people, capabilities and technology needed to help colleges and universities grow. Founder Seth Odell will remain chief executive and retains significant ownership in the company. Chip Paucek, co-founder and former chief executive of 2U, has joined Kanahoma as Co-Chairman of its board, bringing experience in building and scaling what the release describes as the largest platform in online higher education.
Odell founded Kanahoma in 2020. A former higher education chief marketing officer, he has grown the firm to nearly 50 full-time employees, serving more than 20 institutions nationwide. The company was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies in both 2025 and 2026. The agency combines enrollment strategy with creative and performance marketing.
According to the release, the capital will go toward data analytics, artificial intelligence and technology, as well as services that connect marketing more closely with enrollment strategy and execution. The stated goal is to give institutions a more coordinated partnership approach to attracting and enrolling students, with greater visibility into what drives results.
Connor McMahan, founder and managing partner of Virent Capital, said the firm would provide capital, resources and strategic guidance to build an enrollment growth platform. Garnet Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kanahoma, and Lippes Mathias served as legal advisor.
Virent Capital is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and takes a thematic approach to the lower middle market. Its Virent Drive platform provides capabilities in AI enablement, application development, performance marketing, automation and IoT.
The partnership is intended to support broader enrollment services and investment in the people, capabilities and technology needed to help colleges and universities grow. Founder Seth Odell will remain chief executive and retains significant ownership in the company. Chip Paucek, co-founder and former chief executive of 2U, has joined Kanahoma as Co-Chairman of its board, bringing experience in building and scaling what the release describes as the largest platform in online higher education.
Odell founded Kanahoma in 2020. A former higher education chief marketing officer, he has grown the firm to nearly 50 full-time employees, serving more than 20 institutions nationwide. The company was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies in both 2025 and 2026. The agency combines enrollment strategy with creative and performance marketing.
According to the release, the capital will go toward data analytics, artificial intelligence and technology, as well as services that connect marketing more closely with enrollment strategy and execution. The stated goal is to give institutions a more coordinated partnership approach to attracting and enrolling students, with greater visibility into what drives results.
Connor McMahan, founder and managing partner of Virent Capital, said the firm would provide capital, resources and strategic guidance to build an enrollment growth platform. Garnet Partners acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kanahoma, and Lippes Mathias served as legal advisor.
Virent Capital is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, and takes a thematic approach to the lower middle market. Its Virent Drive platform provides capabilities in AI enablement, application development, performance marketing, automation and IoT.
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