My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Build a multi-billion dollar international education empire through systematic school acquisition
Private equity firms and education entrepreneurs targeting wealthy expatriate families
20-30 years to build significant scaleWhat Success Looks Like
Creating a global network of premium international schools serving wealthy families, achieving $1B+ revenue with strong unit economics
Steps to Execute
Start with single school or education service in one market
Prove the unit economics and replicable model
Identify fragmented international school markets
Acquire schools in strategic locations (major expat destinations)
Standardize curriculum, operations, and branding across portfolio
Target companies that relocate executives internationally
Expand into adjacent markets (sports academies, specialized programs)
Build brand recognition that commands premium pricing
Checklist
Inputs Needed
- Significant capital for school acquisitions ($50M-500M)
- Education industry expertise
- International regulatory knowledge
- Relationships with multinational corporations
- Operational expertise in running schools
Outputs
- Network of premium international schools
- Predictable tuition revenue streams
- Brand that commands premium pricing
- Multiple exit opportunities (strategic buyers, IPO)
Example
“Nord Anglia started in the 1970s teaching English, expanded to operating their own international schools, systematically acquired schools across continents, and built a $14B education empire serving wealthy expat families”
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