Yduqs acquires Unifametro University Center
The deal covers more than 8,000 students and potential medical school openings
Rio de Janeiro — Yduqs (YDUQ3), a leading higher education group with 1.4 million students, announced today the acquisition of the Unifametro University Center in Fortaleza, Ceará, for R$ 62 million. The transaction is subject to approval by Brazil’s antitrust regulator, CADE. The company disclosed to the market an expected 2.6x EV/EBITDA multiple for 2027, after implementing operational synergies and efficiency gains in its on-campus education business.
The transaction includes, in addition to the current base of 8,100 students, potential new medical school seats. The acquisition also comprises an Earn-Out clause related to additional medical seats that may be obtained through the Mais Médicos III program (in Maracanaú, Ceará) and through an ongoing legal proceeding (in Fortaleza, Ceará), in the amount of R$ 1.2 million. The valuation considers the number of seats with the highest likelihood of approval by the Ministry of Education.
The Ceará-based institution will join Wyden, Yduqs’ network of 11 high-quality institutions across Brazil’s North, Northeast, and Southeast regions. With this addition, Wyden is expected to reach 14,000 students in Ceará, cementing its position as one of the state’s and the Northeast’s leading higher education networks.
Operational Indicators
Unifametro adds 8,100 students to Yduqs’ portfolio, including 6,300 in on-campus undergraduate programs, 1,000 in online courses, and about 800 in graduate programs. The institution operates two campuses — one in Fortaleza and another in Maracanaú — plus an online learning hub in Caucaia.
The acquisition offers significant operational synergies, particularly in the health and law fields, both of which are strategic segments for Yduqs. Unifametro holds the highest score (5) in the 2024 Institutional Concept (CI) rating and a 4 in the latest General Course Index (IGC) from the Education Ministry (2022), underscoring the quality of the asset.
Strategic Expansion in the Northeast
The move is part of Yduqs’ growth strategy based on selective acquisitions, a plan the company has consistently outlined to investors. Yduqs already has a presence in Ceará through its Estácio and IDOMED brands, and now adds a complementary asset to its portfolio through Wyden.