Tech school Kenzie Academy acquired by Southern New Hampshire University

Kenzie Academy, an Indianapolis-based technology apprenticeship and coding school founded in 2017, has been acquired by Southern New Hampshire University, SNHU announced Tuesday.

The Manchester, New Hampshire-based college said Kenzie will operate as a not-for-profit division of the private university, offering online, accelerated training programs.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Kenzie has classrooms at 47 S. Meridian St., but many of its students attend classes through real-time video conferencing over the Internet. The school has students in 40 states.

Kenzie, founded by CEO Chok Ooi, landed $7.8 million in venture funding in 2019. It also lined up $100 million in tuition financing to help incoming students pay for training, backed by San Francisco-based Community Investment Management.

“I am proud of the Kenzie Academy team and everything we have built over the past four years,” Ooi said in written comments. “In joining with SNHU, we can accelerate our mission and expand access to our high quality and affordable alternative degree programs to more students across the country.”

Kenzie Academy’s college-alternative model offers six months to one year of on-campus or online training in software engineering, UX engineering or digital marketing, plus opportunities for an optional apprenticeship. Students aren’t required to pay tuition until they get a job earning at least $40,000 annually.

The academy has about 400 students.

SNHU, founded in 1932, offers about 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester. It has been expanding its online enrollment. The college said it has more than 150,000 “learners” worldwide.

“SNHU and Kenzie are a natural fit because we share a mission to help bring higher education to learners who have often been left behind by traditional higher education,” Paul LeBlanc, SNHU president and CEO, said in written remarks. “We have long known that alternative credentials are critical to helping people upskill, prepare for the future of work, and be lifelong learners. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to displace workers, these shorter bursts of learning at affordable price points will be critical for learners to advance their careers and improve their lives in the new economy.”