Exponent-backed SHL to acquire Aspiring Minds

Exponent acquired skills testing company SHL in March 2018 in a deal that valued the company at $400m. The company is a Fund III asset.

The acquirer hopes to use Aspiring Minds' technology across its portfolio of skills and interviewing testing services. SHL will continue to invest in acquisitions.

Previous funding
In 2011, Aspiring Minds announced it had raised $2.5m in series-A funding from Omidyar Network.

In 2014, the company was looking to raise $20m in a funding round, though the details of its close were not publicised, according to Unquote sister publication Mergermarket.

Company
Founded in 2008, Aspiring Minds offers software and services for skills assessment and interviewing, to test language, cognitive and behavioural skills for a wide variety of jobs. Headquartered in Gurgaon, the company operates five locations around the world.

People
SHL – Andy Bradshaw (CEO).
Aspiring Minds – Himanshu Aggarwal (CEO); Varun Aggarwal (chief technology officer).

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