SSG Capital Advisors acted as the investment banker to Advanced Workstations in Education, Inc. in the sale of substantially all of its assets to an affiliate of a private equity firm focused on special situations investments. The sale was effectuated through a Chapter 11 Section 363 sale process and closed in March 2015.
 
AWE is a leading provider of digital learning solutions for young children. With approximately 45% market share of the public library market, AWE is the market leader in all-in-one educational computer solutions for early learners. The Company's digital learning solutions are found in over 8,500 locations worldwide including libraries, public and private schools, childcare centers and homes. AWE's products have been used by over 5 million children worldwide and it has collected over 170 million hours of learning hours and statistics.
 
The company embarked on an aggressive multi-year sales initiative to penetrate the K-12 public and private school market. The sales effort failed to meet revenue expectations and resulted in significant cash burn and liquidity constraints. With its equity infusion exhausted and debt capacity exceeded, the Company was forced to file Chapter 11 in November, 2014.
 
The company retained SSG to explore strategic alternatives immediately before the Chapter 11 filing. SSG conducted a comprehensive marketing process which resulted in a wide range of potential buyers, including multiple strategic and financial parties interested in the Company as a going concern. An affiliate of a turnaround-focused, lower middle market private equity firm ultimately acquired AWE's assets through a sale process approved by the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
 
 
Other professionals who worked on the transaction include:

• James M. Matour, Jennifer L. Maleski and Anne Marie Aaronson of Dilworth Paxson LLP, counsel to Advanced Workstations in Education, Inc.;
• Edward J. DiDonato of Fox Rothschild LLP, counsel to the Unsecured Creditors Committee;
• Alan M. Noskow of Squire Patton Boggs, counsel to AWE Acquisition, Inc.;
• Leon R. Barson of Blank Rome LLP, counsel to AWE Acquisition, Inc.;
• David M. Fournier of Pepper Hamilton LLP, counsel to the secured lender;
• Vincent J. Novack of Morrison and Foerster LLP, counsel to the secured lender; and
• William A. Harvey and Jeffrey Kurtzman of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, counsel to the preferred shareholder.

SSG professionals include:

• J. Scott Victor, Managing Director
• Teresa C. Kohl,Director
• Luis A. Pillich, Director
• Taylor Will,Associate

SSG Capital Advisors is an independent boutique investment bank that assists middle-market companies and their stakeholders in completing special situation transactions. We provide our clients with comprehensive investment banking services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private placements, financial restructurings, valuations, litigation and strategic advisory.