EQuest Education Group, which operates private schools, colleges, universities and education-technology programs in Vietnam, is seeking up to $325 million in international capital to expand that network. DealStreetAsia reports that EQuest, subsidiary EQuest Capital and Standard Chartered’s New York branch signed a memorandum of understanding covering the proposed fundraising.
The group’s customers range from families choosing K-12 schools to college and university students and learners using STEM and digital programs. EQuest says it operates more than 25 institutions and campuses, serving nearly 20,000 K-12 students and 10,000 college and university students; its programs and technology products reach more than 180,000 learners in Vietnam and overseas.
The proposed capital would finance a university branch campus focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, robotics and semiconductors, as well as partnerships with international universities. It would also support more international and private K-12 schools and further development of education-technology platforms, with Ho Chi Minh City a major focus.
This isn’t a completed financing. Standard Chartered is expected to help structure and arrange packages that would flow through EQuest Capital into individual projects. The parties still need to test feasibility, choose financing structures and secure required approvals, so both fundraising and disbursement depend on project schedules.
The proposed ceiling is about 2.8 times EQuest’s inaugural $115.5 million offshore syndicated loan, secured in June and also arranged by Standard Chartered. That earlier deal followed KKR’s second investment in the education group in 2023, part of a funding history that also includes TAEL Partners and Vietnam Oman Investment.