ESS acquires HeyTutor

● STRATEGIC | EDUCATION · K-12

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

ESS (Vistria) acquires HeyTutor

TARGET

High-dosage in-person Math and ELA tutoring platform for K-12 school districts, with proprietary three-dashboard software tracking student progress and program outcomes in real time.

Ownership	VC-backed · ScOp Venture Capital
Capital raised	$1.5M
Headcount	600 FTEs
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Leadership	Jennifer Sheffield, Chief Executive Officer
Sell-side advisor	—

ACQUIRER

ESS

K-12 workforce solutions provider placing substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, clinicians, and school support staff in districts nationwide.

Ownership	PE-backed · The Vistria Group
Headcount	100,000+ FTEs
Headquarters	Knoxville, Tennessee
Leadership	Buddy Helton, President & CEO
Buy-side advisor	—

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ESS -> HeyTutor  (2026-09-18)
add_on | Education | announced
Target: High-dosage in-person Math and ELA tutoring platform for K-12 school districts, with proprietary three-dashboard software tracking student progress and program outcomes in real time.
Website: heytutor.com | Buyer site: ess.com
HQ: Los Angeles, California | Ownership: vc-backed | Buyer sponsor: The Vistria Group | Buyer ownership: pe-backed
Advisors - not yet credited
Source: Thematic - https://thematichq.com/software/d/ess-heytutor.html

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