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ApplyBoard
ApplyBoard is the international student application platform founded by the Basiri brothers in 2015.
ApplyBoard
ApplyBoard launched in 2015 by three Basiri brothers who were former international students. The co-founders built the platform to eliminate the opaque, paper-heavy processes they faced themselves. The company operates a full-stack international student recruitment platform. It connects students with 1,500+ partner institutions across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and Germany. ApplyBoard also offers ancillary services including document verification, training modules via its 2022 acquisition TrainHub, financial services, language test support via a partnership with the British Council, and an AI study-abroad advisor called Abbie launched in June 2024. The firm has raised C$375 million Series D (June 2021), $100 million Series C (May 2020), $55 million Series B (May 2019), and $18 million Series A (May 2018). Confirmed co-investors or backers have not been consistently disclosed; the Series D round was led by a group that included Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and others (per the firm's announcement, June 2021). ApplyBoard reports helping over 1.5 million students from 180+ countries, with offices in Kitchener (HQ), Montreal, Boston, and Gurugram, India. The firm employs an undisclosed number of professionals. In 2024, it ranked #4 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Enterprise—Industry leaders list, its sixth consecutive year on the ranking. June 2024 marked the launch of Abbie, the company's AI-powered study abroad advisor. The firm's structure differs from a traditional family office or investment vehicle. ApplyBoard is a venture-backed private company with no disclosed single-family-office affiliation. Its capital base is from institutional investors and venture rounds, not a family fortune. Succession or governance details are not publicly available beyond the co-founders' leadership roles.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2015
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
Canada
City
Kitchener
Corporate office
Kitchener, ON, Canada
Additional offices
Boston, MA, United States · Montreal, QC, Canada · Gurugram, India
Principals
Meti Basiri
CEO & Co-Founder
Massi Basiri
President & Co-Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at ApplyBoard?
The company is led by co-founders Meti Basiri (CEO) and Massi Basiri (President). Investment decisions related to corporate development — such as the acquisitions of TrainHub (2022) — are steered by the executive team rather than a dedicated investment committee. (per firm website)
Is ApplyBoard structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
ApplyBoard is a venture-backed private company, not a family office. Its capital comes from institutional venture rounds — including a C$375 million Series D — rather than a single-family fortune. (per firm website, June 2021)
How does ApplyBoard source proprietary deal flow?
ApplyBoard does not source proprietary investment deal flow. The company's own growth strategy has included acquisitions, such as the 2022 purchase of TrainHub, an edtech training platform. (per firm website)
Does ApplyBoard participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
ApplyBoard is an operating company, not a fund investor. It does not engage in fund commitments or direct co-investments.
Which sectors does ApplyBoard explicitly avoid?
ApplyBoard's platform is focused exclusively on international education and study-abroad services. It does not invest in or operate in sectors outside of EdTech and student mobility. (per firm website)
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The founders, the Basiri brothers, were international students who built the company from their own experience. The wealth behind ApplyBoard is entirely self-made via the firm's venture-funded growth, not inherited. (per firm website)
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