HelioCampus Acquires Higher Ed Benchmarking Consortium

Data analytics company HelioCampus has acquired ABC Insights, a higher education benchmarking consortium focused on administrative spend and financial decision-making.

ABC Insights originated within the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as one of the first startups to come out of the institution's Launch Chapel Hill business accelerator. The consortium measures staffing intensity levels within higher education administration to provide insights into strategic planning and administrative activities.

The acquisition will enable HelioCampus to expand its offerings in several areas, the company said:

  • Enhanced financial decision support with cost benchmarking data;
  • More visibility into academic and administrative efficiencies, helping accelerate COVID-19 response efforts; and
  • Expanded community of practice, thanks to the joining of HelioCampus clients and ABC Insights members into a larger network of peer institutions.

HelioCampus's Darren Catalano will continue to lead the company as CEO, while ABC Insights co-founders Steven Beisser, Pal Friga and Joe Rice will assume leadershop roles as VP of operations, VP of strategy and VP of technology, respectively.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • abstract colored blocks

    OpenAI Drops Sora Short-Form AI Video Platform

    OpenAI is reportedly dropping Sora, its generative AI model that creates short video clips from text prompts, images, or existing video inputs. The move upends the company's December partnership with The Walt Disney Company.

  • Hand holding a glowing AI sphere

    Beyond the Hype: 5 Actionable Steps for Higher Ed to Master AI in 2026

    AI has arrived as a powerful, pervasive reality, bringing with it a whirlwind of innovation, new tools, and pressing questions. Here are five practical steps to help your institution navigate this rapidly evolving landscape and accelerate its path to real transformation.

  • robot hand holding stacks of coins

    Designing AI Systems for Financial Aid

    Financial aid offices have been slow to adopt AI, risking technological stagnation at a critical early student touchpoint. Systematic AI integration can improve student experiences and strengthen institutional positioning.

  • businesspeople in silhouette with colorful network lines

    Report: AI Will Reshape Work More than Replace It, but Global Impact Is Uneven

    Richer countries face greater exposure to AI-driven changes than developing countries, which are less exposed to AI but risk being left behind, according to a joint report from the International Labour Organization and World Bank.