HeadStart

The Pitch: HeadStart Education Centre is a unique educational institution that provides well-rounded learning for preschool to elementary level children. Our mission is to educate our students by cultivating critical thinking, promoting independence and self-confidence, instilling empathy respect and responsibility and inspiring a love of learning.

Service: HeadStart has built a reputation among the local Thai and expat community for providing quality educational programs at an affordable price. The present market demand for quality educational programs, coupled with our experience in meeting this demand, have prompted us to expand our business and enter into the arena with larger schools.

Who: Jazon Edouard, director, HeadStart Education Centre

Request:  THB 40m towards funding the building of the new school premises for which the land has already been secured. The cash investment sought would give the investor 40% of shares and equity in the company. These shares would be preferred shares and would also give the investor 40% voting power.

What's your service and what's innovative about it? 

Our concept brings together an international school, an elective learning centre and a large edutainment club for children. Combining these components in a strategic location would enable us to offer children and families a unique learning opportunity at an affordable price. 

Why does Phuket need another international school?

The continued development of Phuket as a residential base for South East Asia’s expat community, as well as the continued growth of Thailand’s middle class, are key factors in the increasing demand for more quality schools in Phuket. 

Who is your key competition and what's your marketing strategy?

There are presently four international schools and two bilingual schools in Phuket. The existing gap in both quality and cost of these schools presents us with a good business opportunity.  Providing the quality education parents want for their children at an affordable price has been one of the keys to our present success.    

What is your sustainable competitive advantage?

Strategic location, superior facilities, competitive pricing and our ability to provide a wide range of educational programs will help to ensure HeadStart’s dominance of the education market in Phuket.

What makes your team the best one to execute this business?

Our present success in the local community, a working knowledge of the business and our insight into the local market gives our team a clear advantage in succeeding in this venture.

How much investment / interest have you received so far?

One of the key aspects of this project is the location. We have successfully secured the necessary property as well the service of a professional accounting firm which will facilitate the loans required. These combined resources make up roughly 65% of the needed capital. 

How am I going to make money from this and when?

Providing quality educational services is a steady and growing market. The investment sought has an 85% debt to equity ratio. Our present analysis projects return on investment at six years with a 25% profit to investment ratio in the following years.

Investment summary

Market potential:
Phuket has room for more international schools and there is competition to lower the school fees. The Thai and expat community continues to grow, as does the number of child births per year.

Implementation:
With the current economic recession, eyes are on schools with full services and facilities at an affordable fee.

Danger:
The choice of location is key to its success, which will also determine the cost of land, total investment and returns.