Aristotle Circle, the Education Admissions Expert Network, Raises $2 Million Series B Funding

NEW YORK, April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aristotle Circle, Inc., the leading expert network for admissions, today announced the closing of $2 million in funding.  The Series B investment was made by Rho Ventures. The New York-based company will use the capital to further advance its online technology as well as extend sales efforts globally.

"Test preparation alone no longer gives students a competitive edge in admissions.  Today with the perfect storm of lower acceptance rates, increased competition, and over-burdened school guidance counselors, families need expert advice to help navigate the school admissions process more than ever before," said Suzanne Rheault, CEO and Founder of Aristotle Circle. "Our mission is to make personalized insight from the best admission experts available to all families.  This round of funding and the investment by a firm of Rho Ventures' caliber are validations of our vision and an exciting milestone for our company."  

Aristotle Circle leverages a matchmaking model similar to the highly successful expert networks to connect families to admissions experts.  By creating a marketplace for expertise, Aristotle Circle enables families to obtain much needed guidance to successfully navigate all aspects of the education and admissions processes.

"Aristotle Circle is solving a real problem by applying the power of expert networks to admissions and education," said Habib Kairouz, Managing Partner at Rho Ventures. "We believe that the market for admissions advisory services is what test prep was 20 years ago. We are very confident in the company's ability to quickly grow revenue and maintain a substantial, sustainable competitive advantage in a large global market."

Rho Ventures joins prominent angel investors including Gerson Lehrman Group Co-founder Thomas Lehrman; Hashable and Tracked.com Founder Michael Yavonditte; 24/7 Media Co-founder Geoff Judge; Reprise Media Co-founder Josh Stylman; and Square Earth, Mimeo, and Urgent Group Founder Jeff Stewart.  Aristotle Circle was a finalist at the April 2010 New York Open Angel Forum, an event founded by noted entrepreneur, Jason Calacanis, to help up-and-coming entrepreneurs gain access to the world's greatest angel investors.  Aristotle Circle's unique approach has been recognized in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, US News & World Report, New York Magazine, New York Post, and on Dr. Phil and Fox News.

About Aristotle Circle

Aristotle Circle helps parents and students globally, by connecting applicants with education and admission experts.  The company offers services ranging from pre-K to graduate school.  Aristotle Circle's network of more than 250 elite experts currently serves over 1000 clients in 30 states and 15 countries and includes top admissions professionals, guidance counselors, school administrators, financial aid advisors, and child development experts in their fields. Aristotle Circle's goal is to take the stress and frustration out of the process by giving students and families a clear path through successful school admissions.  For more information, visit: www.aristotlecircle.com.

About Rho Ventures

For nearly 30 years, Rho Ventures has been investing in leading edge, high growth companies at multiple stages of growth spanning early, venture-stage investments to later stage, growth equity transactions. Rho has participated in the growth of some of today's most innovative and successful companies, including Ciena, Capstone Turbine, Compaq Computer, Everyday Health, Intralinks, iVillage, ReachLocal, Tacoda, Tripod, and Yantra. Rho Ventures is currently investing from Rho Ventures VI, a $510 million fund. The firm has offices in New York City, Palo Alto and Montreal, with investments across the globe. For more information, please visit www.rho.com.

Contact
Renee Young
Renee Young & Associates
(914) 523-5320
[email protected]

SOURCE Aristotle Circle, Inc.