SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/17/12 -- University Ventures, the premier investment firm uniquely focused on the global higher education sector, today announced the launch of UV Labs, a company that will partner directly with universities and other providers of higher education to build innovative products and technologies to help solve the serious issues of accessibility, affordability, quality and accountability facing higher education.

UV Labs will be led by Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Satish Menon. Over the past two decades, Menon has steered the development of multiple technological innovations in education and digital media, including the development of several mobile products, personalized learning management platforms and a suite of education-to-career tools for postsecondary learners. Prior to co-founding UV Labs, Menon served as Chief Technology Officer for Apollo Group, a Fortune 500 company and one of the world's largest private education providers. He also previously served as Vice President at Yahoo's Consumer Platforms division.

A team of product designers, social scientists, and experts in education, cognitive science and technology will support him in developing new products for students, higher education institutions and employers.

"This is an exciting collaborative new venture. For too long higher education has remained unchanged by the technological advances taking place in other industries. If universities around the world want to meet the need for a more skilled and prepared workforce, innovative products and technologies are needed," said Menon. "In partnership with global thought-leaders in higher education and the private and public sectors, UV Labs has the opportunity to deploy products that will adequately prepare learners to meet and solve the pressing needs facing our world today."

"We are thrilled to have Satish at the helm of this new enterprise. His knowledge of the education, media and consumer sectors and his strong technology expertise, paired with the team's experience and passion for higher education, will aid UV Labs in becoming a great resource for innovative education products and technologies," said Ryan Craig, Managing Director at University Ventures. "This foray into development helps advance the core mission of University Ventures and move higher education as a whole closer to where it needs to be to better serve students."

UV Labs is funded by University Ventures, and follows its differentiated strategy of "innovating from within." By partnering with top-tier universities and colleges, UV Labs will create products and solutions for universities to set new standards for student outcomes, rather than competing against them. Through this partnership, University Ventures aims to expand its role in advancing the development of the next generation of colleges and universities on a global scale.

Product designers, social scientists and others interested in becoming a part of this unique venture should visit www.uvlabsinc.com for more information.

About UV Labs
UV Labs is a company that seeks to build innovative products and technologies to help solve the increasingly complex issues facing higher education today. By collaborating with universities and working with experts in the field of social science and technology, UV Labs aims to assist learners find more efficient pathways to meet their goals through education. By doing this, UV Labs will create a more skilled and prepared workforce to solve social and economic challenges. To learn more, visit www.uvlabsinc.com.

About University Ventures
University Ventures is the premier investment firm focused exclusively on the global higher education sector. University Ventures pursues a differentiated strategy of 'innovation from within.' By partnering with top-tier universities and colleges, and then strategically directing private capital to develop programs of exceptional quality that address major economic and social needs, University Ventures expects to set new standards for student outcomes and advance the development of the next generation of colleges and universities on a global scale. For more information, visit www.universityventuresfund.com.

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