Genius Group, the world’s leading entrepreneur education group, has signed an agreement to acquire UK-based property investors network (pin) for US$15 million. In response to the education crisis and a jobs crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Genius Group is expanding its education curriculum to teach financial literacy and investment education. To date it has attracted 1.4 million students in 200 countries, ranging from primary and secondary school students to startup founders and experienced entrepreneurs.
The property investors network, founded by Simon Zutshi in 2003, has grown to become the largest property networking organisation in the UK. The company connects new and experienced property investors to share their knowledge and experience, with monthly pin meetings in 50 cities across the country. The company provides a range of learning, networking and training opportunities, delivered physically and remotely across the UK, that empower entrepreneurs to invest in residential property with knowledge and skill to help minimise risks and maximise returns.
Roger James Hamilton, Founder & CEO of Genius Group, says: “The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in record job losses and bankruptcies. However, we are also seeing many small business owners and investors finding opportunity and growth in the crisis. We share pin’s mission of providing education and resources to business owners and investors at a time when people need it most.”
Simon has been a student and investor within Genius Group for over a decade. Genius Group’s entrepreneur education on future technology inspired him to launch a second company to property investors network: CrowdProperty. This has grown into one of the UK’s leading property crowdfunding sites with over 12,380 investors and £213 million in property projects funded.
Following the acquisition, Genius Group and property investors network will expand its monthly pin meetings to many of the 20,345 cities in which Genius Group has students. It will also provide financial literacy and property investing courses to students through Genius Group’s secondary school and university programmes, as well as the GeniusU edtech platform.
Simon Zutshi, who will remain CEO of the property investors network following the acquisition, says: “With property investors network having consolidated its market leading position in the UK over nearly two decades, I look forward to working with Roger and the team at Genius Group to leverage this success within the global market to empower property entrepreneurs all over the world.”
This agreement is one of a succession of acquisitions totalling over $80 million that Genius Group has undertaken since the COVID-19 crisis began in March 2020, as it grows its entrepreneur education programmes and community globally. The closing, subject to customary conditions will take place in Q1 2021. The property investors network was represented by Laeceum and Baker Botts (UK) LLP.