About Us - VitalSource

Our Why

We envision a world where all learners have the tools they need to thrive.

Thirty years ago, we put a stake in the ground and said: the future of education is digital. Today, it’s our mission to power the network that delivers transformative learning. With more than 40% of all higher ed digital course materials flowing through our systems worldwide and award-winning capabilities in accessibility, AI + Learning, VitalSource is the global powerhouse behind modern course materials delivery across higher education, driving a learning advantage for every student.

The Power of VitalSource

50%

Serving more than half of all college students in the United States
3500+

Content provider relationships representing 10K imprints
4,500+

Institutions served
30M

Units of Learning Delivered Annually
37

Languages supported worldwide
2.3M+

Titles in our catalog
3.9B

Pages read annually

The Global Market Leader with a Heritage of Innovation

Founded in 1994, VitalSource catalyzed the transition from print to digital course materials in higher education. Today, VitalSource powers content delivery across the higher education ecosystem, serving more than 18 million students worldwide. With unmatched scale, the VitalSource Learning Delivery Network is trusted by content providers and institutions around the world to fuel affordable access programs and deliver engaging learning experiences, advancing student success from day one.

Our values:

Rally!

Together, we rally around the transformative power of education, our team and our partners. We are each other’s champions and advocates.

Do the right thing

Integrity weaves through every aspect of the work we do. We are always good stewards of the business and our customers.

Widen the circle

A variety of perspectives generates better outcomes for everyone.

Look forward

New horizons beckon. We take the initiative, are nimble and adapt quickly to the evolving needs of our markets and our people.

Set the standards

We hold our ourselves and our solutions to the highest standards – in fact, we set many of these standards together with industry partners.

Always be learning

The bedrock of VitalSource is learning. Being growth-minded, inquisitive, and open to new experiences and perspectives powers our ability to innovate.

A continued legacy of digital leadership and transformation

Founded in 1994, VitalSource is the leading education technology solutions provider committed to helping partners create, deliver, and distribute affordable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences worldwide. As a recognized innovator in the digital course materials market, VitalSource is best known for partnering with thousands of publishers and institutions to deliver extraordinary learning experiences to millions of active users globally. Today, we’re committed to powering new, cutting-edge technologies designed to optimize teaching and learning for the 21st century.

2015-2020

Ready for a New World of Learning

We expand and scale our portfolio to full support the online learner experience. In 2017, we acquire Verba Software, a San Francisco-based company dedicated to using technology to support campus stores and help students save money on course materials. In 2018, we acquire Acrobatiq, the leading learning optimization platform built from Carnegie Mellon University’s strengths in learning and data science. With the addition of Verba, Acrobatiq, and our 2019 agreement with BNED, we solidify our market-leading position in a digital content supply chain management, day-one access programs, and online learning platforms.

2020-2022

The Next Phase of VitalSource

In June of 2021, VItalSource was acquired by Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm focused on investments in technology and technology-enabled services businesses. Join their portfolio of trailblazing technology firms marked a new step in the evolution of VitalSource from a digital content provider to a more comprehensive and innovative learning solutions technology company.

2022-onward

Investing Ahead of the Market for the Modern Learner

A catalyst in the transition of Higher Education from print to digital course materials, VitalSource continues to invest ahead of the market, so customers and partners are always ready for what’s next. In March of 2023, VitalSource announced the acquisition of Akademos, a leader in building technology to create efficient, cost-effective course materials delivery solutions. This acquisition helped advance the mission to make learning accessible and affordable for students everywhere, and further solidifies VitalSource’s position as a leading curriculum delivery and learning platform provider. Able to activate any model at scale, with new levels of access and affordability, VitalSource is energizing a growing, global movement of Institutions and content providers to drive learning advantage for every student.

1995-2000

Breaking New Ground with Digital Content Technology

Dr. Todd Watkins, founder, introduces the world to the concept of the etext. Beginning with a fully digitalized four-year dental school curriculum on a single DVD, the “VitalBook” file format revolutionizes learning in such sectors as dental, nursing, and law. By 2000, we settled on the fact that if we concentrated on course materials, computers could make learning more interactive, more personal, and in most cases more affordable.

2000-2010

Catalyzing Print-to-Digital Transformation in Global Higher Education

VitalSource launches the first university-wide, fully integrate etext program with major academic publishers, pioneers LMS integrations, and in 2006, is acquired by Ingram Content Group. By 2009, VitalSource is the #1 preferred print-to-digital partner in higher education.

2010-2015

Championing Affordability, Access, and Impact through Digital

By 2013, Bookshelf is the #1 academic eReader platform with a billion pages read by millions of students around the world. VitalSource is the first to offer EPUB 3 file formats, again reinventing the digital content experience. In 2014, VitalSource acquires CourseSmart, making Bookshelf home to the largest digital content catalog, and expanding existing sampling and inventory management capabilities.

2015-2020

Ready for a New World of Learning

We expand and scale our portfolio to full support the online learner experience. In 2017, we acquire Verba Software, a San Francisco-based company dedicated to using technology to support campus stores and help students save money on course materials. In 2018, we acquire Acrobatiq, the leading learning optimization platform built from Carnegie Mellon University’s strengths in learning and data science. With the addition of Verba, Acrobatiq, and our 2019 agreement with BNED, we solidify our market-leading position in a digital content supply chain management, day-one access programs, and online learning platforms.

2020-2022

The Next Phase of VitalSource

In June of 2021, VItalSource was acquired by Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm focused on investments in technology and technology-enabled services businesses. Join their portfolio of trailblazing technology firms marked a new step in the evolution of VitalSource from a digital content provider to a more comprehensive and innovative learning solutions technology company.

2022-onward

Investing Ahead of the Market for the Modern Learner

A catalyst in the transition of Higher Education from print to digital course materials, VitalSource continues to invest ahead of the market, so customers and partners are always ready for what’s next. In March of 2023, VitalSource announced the acquisition of Akademos, a leader in building technology to create efficient, cost-effective course materials delivery solutions. This acquisition helped advance the mission to make learning accessible and affordable for students everywhere, and further solidifies VitalSource’s position as a leading curriculum delivery and learning platform provider. Able to activate any model at scale, with new levels of access and affordability, VitalSource is energizing a growing, global movement of Institutions and content providers to drive learning advantage for every student.

1995-2000

Breaking New Ground with Digital Content Technology

Dr. Todd Watkins, founder, introduces the world to the concept of the etext. Beginning with a fully digitalized four-year dental school curriculum on a single DVD, the “VitalBook” file format revolutionizes learning in such sectors as dental, nursing, and law. By 2000, we settled on the fact that if we concentrated on course materials, computers could make learning more interactive, more personal, and in most cases more affordable.

2000-2010

Catalyzing Print-to-Digital Transformation in Global Higher Education

VitalSource launches the first university-wide, fully integrate etext program with major academic publishers, pioneers LMS integrations, and in 2006, is acquired by Ingram Content Group. By 2009, VitalSource is the #1 preferred print-to-digital partner in higher education.

2010-2015

Championing Affordability, Access, and Impact through Digital

By 2013, Bookshelf is the #1 academic eReader platform with a billion pages read by millions of students around the world. VitalSource is the first to offer EPUB 3 file formats, again reinventing the digital content experience. In 2014, VitalSource acquires CourseSmart, making Bookshelf home to the largest digital content catalog, and expanding existing sampling and inventory management capabilities.

Meet the Team

Chief Executive Officer

Kent Freeman
Chief Financial Officer

Marcio Andrade
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Irene McGuinness
Chief Product Officer

Brian Hogue
Chief Strategy Officer

Jared Pearlman
Chief Technology Officer

Al Issa
Chief Marketing Officer

Jenny Powers
Chief Learning Officer

Michael Hale, Ph.D.
CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER

William Chesser
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Jodi Budnick
VICE PRESIDENT & MANAGING DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL

Alice Duijser
Vice President & General Manager for Intrepid

Sam Herring
GENERAL COUNSEL

Mark Bledsoe

Honors and Recognitions

VitalSource is recognized as leaders in reshaping the learning environment through our work to provide affordable access to course materials, carbon net neutrality, using Artificial Intelligence backed by learning science to improve teaching and learning, and more.

Best Use of AI in Ed Tech
Most Innovative Ed Tech Company
Power Learner Potential
Learning Impact Gold

Press and Media

What’s new with VitalSource? Find press releases, the latest news, and media contacts here.

Careers

Join us as we ensure all learners have the tools they need to thrive. We are casual and collaborative, with a strong commitment to shaping the future of education. At VitalSource, you’ll find intensity, passion, and an ever-changing environment.

See Open Positions

Blog

Read the latest from our experts sharing their insights you can’t get anywhere else, news, announcements, and industry commentary.