Wayne Huizenga, the ultra-successful entrepreneur behind South Florida sports teams like the Miami Dolphins, AutoNation, Blockbuster, and Waste Management, has taken an interest in virtual education. His Fort Lauderdale-based Huizenga Holdings has made a “significant investment” in Vschoolz, an e-learning company in Coral Springs.
Founded three years ago by educators and tech specialists, Vschoolz helps schools and school districts implement online learning programs that teachers can customize – everything from e-lessons to interactive activities. The company, under CEO Caterina Trimm, employs roughly 50 people and has worked with clients like Catholic Virtual School.
This isn’t the first time Huizenga has taken a vested interest in the education sector. He has been largely active in helping out, mainly with donations. In South Florida alone, he has started the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University, the Junior Achievement World Huizenga Center at Broward College, and The Huizenga Science Center at Pine Crest School.
Although the amount that Huizenga invested is undisclosed, it will help Vschoolz expand its operations and better compete with larger global rivals. Part of the deal also allows the company access to small business advice from Huizenga’s team, which is known for launching small companies into multi-million-dollar businesses.
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