From Startup to Sector Leader: Chris Curran on Education, M&A, and Impact

In this episode of Capital Class, recorded live at ASU+GSV 2025, host Adam Giery sits down with Chris Curran, the Founder and CEO of Tyton Partners. A towering figure in education banking and consulting, Curran shares insights from a 25-year journey that spans public policy, entrepreneurship, and over $20 billion in transaction volume across global education markets.

Giery and Curran dive into today’s uncertain market landscape, discussing how economic turbulence impacts M&A in the education sector. Curran pulls back the curtain on the complexities of selling an education company, highlighting the risks of "unbanked" deals and the essential role of a trusted advisor in maximizing value for founder-led businesses.

Curran also reflects on the founding of Tyton Partners—a firm born from the fusion of public service, Wall Street banking, and entrepreneurial grit—and its mission to serve education enterprises with both capital and counsel. With characteristic candor, he explains how Tyton’s service-driven model and deep sector expertise have reshaped how education companies grow, merge, and thrive.

From at-risk learners and skills-to-jobs pathways to the global rise of edtech, Curran offers an unvarnished look at the trends shaping the future. Along the way, he opens up about personal lessons learned, the balance between ambition and family, and the enduring power of mission-driven work.

Key Moments

00:00 ASU GSV 2025: Education Industry Evolution

05:08 Common Business Process Pitfalls

08:23 Titan Partners: Education-Focused Ventures

11:50 Global Success in Emerging Markets

16:10 AI's Impact on Education Pathways

17:53 Cultivating Future Company Leaders

Connect with Chris Curran

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curranchristopher

Website: https://tytonpartners.com/