Austin, Texas-based software maker Abila Inc. has acquired Peach New Media, a software and services company focused on continuing education and online learning. Financial details were not disclosed.
Abila develops comprehensive Software-as-a-Service-based membership management tools for nonprofits associations and government agencies. Their software primarily supports organizations that rely on fundraising CRMs, online fundraising or grant management software to manage key processes and functions.
New Peach, headquartered in Atlanta, provides online learning software and other supporting services in the online education space. New Peach’s flagship software, Freestone, is a learning platform that delivers live webinars, webcasts, on-demand learning and other interactive continuing education services. New Peach was founded in 2009 and currently employs a team of 40.
“The acquisition of Peach New Media is part of our overall strategy to be the best provider of software and services to associations, nonprofits and government entities,” said Abila CEO Krista Endsley in a press release. “By adding the Freestone learning platform and the exceptional Peach talent, Abila strengthens its strong portfolio of products and services that help enhance engagement, add value, increase revenue, and improve decision-making.”
The Austin Business Journal notes that Abila, formerly a part of the British Sage Group PLC founded in 1981, employed about 270 workers before the acquisition. This isn’t the software maker’s first acquisition: in 2013, it acquired Avectra, a developer of nonprofit CRM software.
“The real potential for professional development and continuing education is when learning isn’t siloed but pulls together content, community, and information in a meaningful way,” said Celisa Steele, co-founder and association industry analyst at Tagoras in a statement. “Abila’s acquisition of Peach New Media, points to maturity and should lead to better products and services—because they’ll be born of a more inclusive, less siloed mindset.”
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