Univo Education Private Limited and AVENU Learning LLC have entered into a long-term partnership through a strategic and financial investment by AVENU. The strategic partnership will focus on expanding university relationships, introducing international degrees globalized for learners in India, and delivering courses through innovative digital platforms to cater to the diverse needs of the learners. Firm represented Univo Education Private Limited, on investment into it by AVENU Learning LLC, and advised on drafting, negotiating and finalizing the share subscription agreement, shareholders’ agreement, commercial agreements and other deal documents.

Unique feature of the transactions were – 1. Navigated the education and ed-tech regulatory issues, specifically from the perspective of regulations framed by UGC, to ensure that the substance of the collaboration between Avenu and Univo stands the regulatory test. In addition to advising on legal aspects of the collaboration, we were involved in commercial negotiations. These commercial arrangements are bespoke and one-of-a-kind in terms of the interplay between regulated universities and ed-tech providers. 2. It was also Avenu’s first investment in the Indian market. Therefore, the discussions included apprising the Avenu team of nuances under Indian law, providing them sufficient comfort and finding workable middle ground on deal positions.

Innovative Feature of the transaction was that the deal demanded creative solutions on non-compete and non-solicit provisions, such that interests of all parties (and their group entities) could be properly balanced to protect the strategic collaboration while also leaving freedom to pursue new opportunities in a fast evolving ed-tech market.

The core team consisted of Monika Srivastava (Partner), Sanchit Agarwal (Partner), Aadhya (Senior Associate).