Sep 23, 2025
Menlo Park, Calif & Sandy, Utah – September 23, 2025 – Accel-KKR, a leading technology-focused investment firm, today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Arbiter, a trusted provider of athletic and school operations management software. This strategic investment positions Arbiter for its next chapter of growth, innovation, and customer impact across the K-12 landscape. Serent Capital, which first partnered with Arbiter in 2017, will retain a minority equity position.
The transaction validates the strength of Arbiter’s platform and its potential to further scale in a market increasingly reliant on integrated, efficient, and user-friendly administrative and operational solutions.
This investment follows Accel-KKR’s investment in LeagueApps, further underscoring the firm’s commitment to the youth and sports technology ecosystem.
“Arbiter has built a strong brand over many years by delivering youth sports technology that serves the needs of schools, officials, and athletic departments,” said Dean Jacobson, Managing Director at Accel-KKR. “We believe there is significant opportunity ahead to accelerate Arbiter’s impact and reach. Our investment will support continued product innovation, expanded services, and the ability to meet the evolving needs of its customers.”
“This is an exciting milestone for Arbiter,” said Lance Felton, Partner at Serent Capital. “We’re incredibly proud of the company’s growth under our stewardship and believe Accel-KKR is the ideal partner to guide Arbiter through its next phase. With Accel-KKR’s experience and resources, we’re confident Arbiter will deepen its market leadership and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers.”
With over 40 years of experience and following the recent acquisitions of rSchool Today and BigTeams, Arbiter serves more than 3.7 million families through solutions that streamline scheduling, registration, payments, and assigning for schools and sports organizations nationwide.
Kyle Ford, Arbiter’s CEO, highlights that “With Accel-KKR’s support, we remain focused on advancing Arbiter’s mission: delivering essential software to the Athletic Directors, Coaches, Assigners, Officials, and State Associations who make youth sports possible. In doing so, we’re proud to play a small part in supporting their work – instilling the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership that are vital to the growth and development of our young people.”
Leadership at Arbiter will remain unchanged following the investment. The company’s headquarters will stay in Sandy, Utah, and it will continue executing its strategy of simplifying school and athletic operations with leading technology and service.
About Arbiter
Arbiter is the trusted leader in school and athletic program management, supporting thousands of schools, leagues, and organizations nationwide for more than four decades. Offering solutions for scheduling, registration, payments, assigning, eligibility, facilities management, and athletic websites, it empowers schools and communities to manage activities with confidence.
Learn more at www.arbiter.io.
About Accel-KKR
Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with over $23 billion in cumulative capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and tech-enabled businesses, well-positioned for topline and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR’s investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions, including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across various transaction types, including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs, and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR’s headquarters is in Menlo Park, with offices in Atlanta, London, and Mexico City.
Learn more at www.accel-kkr.com
About Serent Capital
Serent Capital invests in founder-led, mission-driven software businesses that are primed for growth. With deep experience in education, government, and vertical SaaS, Serent partners closely with management teams to accelerate growth and innovation.
Learn more at www.serentcapital.com
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