BIRMINGHAM, AL. (October 6^th, 2023) – Founders Advisors is pleased to announce that Odyssey Early Schools, a world-class provider of early childhood education in Birmingham, Alabama, has been acquired by Big Blue Marble Academy, known for excellence in early childhood education and infant and toddler care, preschool, aftercare, and summer camp programs. Big Blue Marble Academy is a portfolio company of Avathon Capital. In this transaction, Odyssey was exclusively advised by principals of Founders Advisors LLC.

“I want to thank the Founders team for their exceptional support and professionalism,” said Bob Mitchell, Owner and President of Odyssey Early Schools. “The Founders team did a phenomenal job guiding us through the process of finding a new home for Odyssey. We felt that we could trust their expertise in our industry, their judgement, and their guidance through every step of the transaction.”

“We are excited to welcome Odyssey Early Schools into Big Blue Marble Academy and further our mission to Nurture Little Minds and Grow Big Hearts. Through this acquisition, we will combine Odyssey’s first-class facilities and leading position in the Birmingham market with Big Blue Marble Academy’s renowned play-based global curriculum and focus on service-learning to inspire a love of learning in local children and their families,” said Lee Bohs, Chief Development Officer at Big Blue Marble Academy.

Nathan Kelly, Director at Founders said, “It has been a pleasure to work with the incredible teams at both Odyssey and Big Blue Marble Academy to achieve this important milestone for the Mitchell family. Our team is grateful for the opportunity to serve leaders in the childcare industry. Odyssey’s leadership was focused on finding the right long-term home for their team as well as the families they serve, and we are proud to have played a part in bringing Odyssey and Big Blue Marble Academy together.”

About Odyssey Early Schools

Founded in 1995, Odyssey Early Schools is a second-generation family business that is known as a premium childcare provider in the Birmingham area, being voted Birmingham’s Best Preschool in multiple years from all three area publications. Odyssey emphasizes meaningful learning across disciplines with the goal of preparing children for long-term success by igniting their passion for learning.

About Big Blue Marble Academy

Big Blue Marble Academy operates 59 schools providing early care, preschool, after-school care, and summer camp for children ages 6 weeks to twelve years. BBMA nurtures little minds through a robust preschool curriculum that ensures children are developmentally, socially, and emotionally prepared for kindergarten and beyond. Its emphasis on global awareness and character development teaches children invaluable lessons, growing big hearts that are ready and eager to take on the world.

About Founders Advisors

Founders is a merger, acquisition, & strategic advisory firm serving middle-market companies. Founders focuses on helping companies across industries including education, consumer, technology, business services, industrial services and technology, and healthcare. Founders’ skilled professionals, proven expertise, and process-based solutions help companies access growth capital, make acquisitions, and/or prepare for and execute liquidity events to achieve specific financial goals. In order to provide securities-related services discussed herein, certain principals of Founders Advisors, LLC are licensed with Founders M&A Advisory, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Founders M&A Advisory, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Founders Advisors, LLC. Founders Advisors, LLC does not provide investment advice. For more information, please visit www.foundersib.com.