Cleveland private equity firm The Riverside Co. has acquired Praetorian Digital, a learning and content platform for local government and public safety. San Francisco-based Praetorian is an add-on to Riverside’s Lexipol portfolio, which provides state-specific policies and training solutions for public safety agencies. “Praetorian’s library of articles and proprietary technology platform are the most robust in the marketplace and would be difficult to replicate,” Riverside Partner Joe Lee said in a statement. “Using their solutions, departments and first responders can deliver higher quality training at a lower cost than trying to do it internally. We are thrilled to partner with a company that’s truly making our communities safer.”
- The two companies’ combined content and services will include a library of 200,000 articles and reports, 16,000 policies and procedures, almost 4,000 training courses and a network of digital media communities that include PoliceOne.com and FireRescue1.com.
- Praetorian expands Lexipol’s addressable market into mission-critical training content on life or death issues.
- The combined company will be led by Praetorian Digital founder and CEO Alex Ford.
PRESS RELEASE The Riverside Company, a global private equity firm, has acquired Praetorian Digital (Praetorian), the leading learning and content platform for local government and public safety. Based in San Francisco, California, Praetorian is an add-on to Riverside’s Lexipol portfolio, the leading provider of state-specific policies and training for public safety agencies. The combined company will offer an unparalleled range of content and services, including a library of 200,000 articles and reports, 16,000 policies and procedures, almost 4,000 training courses and a network of digital media communities that include PoliceOne.com and FireRescue1.com. The company’s existing reach includes more than 7,000 police departments, fire departments and municipalities, with nearly two million first responders and local government leaders who rely on the properties for mission-critical information, training and policies. Praetorian’s SaaS, audience, data and marketing solutions connect and educate elected officials, department leaders, field personnel and industry providers. Praetorian’s educational services bring together some of the largest audiences in public safety and local government to create safer communities and empower the organizations that serve them. Loren Schlachet, Riverside Managing Partner, said, “We couldn’t be more excited to lead the merger of Praetorian and Lexipol. By offering complementary products, there is an incredible opportunity for us to provide an even more comprehensive portfolio of solutions to local public safety departments.” Praetorian is a natural fit for Riverside as it expands Lexipol’s addressable market into mission-critical training content on life or death issues. “Praetorian’s library of articles and proprietary technology platform are the most robust in the marketplace and would be difficult to replicate,” said Riverside Partner Joe Lee. “Using their solutions, departments and first responders can deliver higher quality training at a lower cost than trying to do it internally. We are thrilled to partner with a company that’s truly making our communities safer.” The combined company will be led by CEO Alex Ford, founder of Praetorian Digital, who brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role. Ford founded Praetorian Digital, then Praetorian Group in 1999, and has since grown the company from a single online community for law enforcement into the leading learning and content platform for online training, marketing solutions and grant assistance across public safety and local government. “This merger joins two complementary offerings together in pursuit of our mission to use digital content and technology to revolutionize the way in which first responders, municipalities, companies and organizations keep our communities safe and reduce risk,” Ford said. “I’m excited to work with our talented combined team - and under the guidance of our partners at Riverside - to solve the many critical threats and challenges faced by our nation’s first responders and local government entities.” To ensure a successful transition, Ford will be joined by an experienced management team from both Praetorian and Lexipol, with more than 3,000 years of combined market experience and a network of more than 300 of the top subject matter experts in public safety. Working with Schlachet and Lee on the deal were Vice President Garrett Monda, Senior Associate Christopher Shea, Senior Operating Partner Mike Eblin, Operating Partner Steve Pogorzelski and Finance Director Doug Guess. Managing Partner Jeremy Holland originated the deal. About The Riverside Company The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on investing in growing businesses valued at up to $400 million. For over 30 years, Riverside has made more than 600 control and non-control investments. The firm’s international private equity and structured capital portfolios include more than 90 companies. About Praetorian Digital Praetorian Digital is the leading platform for learning and content in the public safety and local government market, with a suite of tools dedicated to the distribution of trusted information and mission-critical training resources that help first responders and government officials better protect and serve their communities. Each of its brands, including PoliceOne.com, FireRescue1.com, EMS1.com, CorrectionsOne.com, LocalGovU.com and EfficientGov.com – offer up-to-date news, analysis, workflow solutions and training as well as a grant assistance platform that has assisted departments and local governments in securing more than $200 million in funding to date. About Lexipol Lexipol is America’s leading source of state-specific policy and training solutions that reduce risk, lower litigation costs and improve personnel safety in law enforcement and probation agencies, fire departments and corrections facilities. Delivered via an online platform and mobile app, Lexipol’s content is continuously updated to address legislative changes and evolving best practices. Using accountability tools and integrated training, Lexipol provides a cost-effective way for agencies to enhance policy compliance and understanding, allowing leaders to focus more resources on serving their communities. With principal offices in Dallas, Texas and Irvine, California, Lexipol offers policy management solutions to more than 3,000 agencies in 35 states. Media Contact Holly Mueller Communications Consultant The Riverside Company +1 216 535 2236
