Rockaway Capital agrees to acquire Experience Education
Rockaway Capital has agreed to acquire Experience Education from Travelopia, marking the European investment group’s first move into education.
Experience Education works with around 1,400 schools every year and takes close to 100,000 pupils on trips that extend learning beyond the classroom. This marks Rockaway's entry into education and the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Experience Education has six specialist brands – Travelbound (study tours), SkiBound (ski trips), Edwin Doran and Masterclass (sports tours), World Challenge (expeditions & adventures) and JCA (outdoor activity residentials) covering a range of school travel.
Demand for experience-led learning continues to grow, as does schools' reliance on scaled, accredited specialists. Rockaway aims to build on what Experience Education has achieved and have the ambition of building Europe’s leading education travel group.
Jaroslaw Czernek, Partner at Rockaway Capital, said:
"We are investing in education, and in the growing importance of hands-on, experiential learning. Experience Education has been taking learning beyond the classroom for more than 50 years, safely and at scale. We have been hugely impressed by John and his team and by what they have achieved, and our ambition is to build on it.
John Upton, Managing Director of Experience Education, said:
"Our team takes real pride in what we do for schools, teachers and the young people who travel with us. Rockaway knows about travel, understands our business and shares our ambition for it. With their long-term backing and expertise, we can reach even more schools, keep investing in our people and products, and grow through acquisitions. For our existing school partners, our focus remains unchanged as we continue to support your teachers, reassure your parents and inspire your students.
About Rockaway Capital
Rockaway Capital is a European investment group founded in 2013 by Jakub Havrlant. It has built and exited leading consumer and technology businesses across Europe, including Mall Group, Heureka and Invia. Today it invests across private equity, venture capital, digital assets, defence technology and industrial technology through dedicated funds, committing significant capital of its own alongside its investors.
About Experience Education
Experience Education is a leading UK educational travel group, helping schools extend learning beyond the classroom through safe, high-quality travel experiences. The group brings together six specialist brands – Travelbound, SkiBound, Edwin Doran, Masterclass, World Challenge and JCA – spanning curriculum tours, school ski trips, sports tours, expeditions, and residential programmes. Experience Education works with around 1,400 schools each year, with approaching 100,000 students travelling to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. Its brands have more than 50 years of experience in educational travel and is trusted by schools and families for their expertise in safeguarding, risk management, operational delivery, and financial protection.