College of Central Florida debuts new bookstore partnership, digital textbook platform for fall semester. OCALA, FL (352today.com) - College of Central Florida has announced the re-opening of its campus bookstore through a new partnership with BibliU, a U.K.-based business whose hybrid model incorporates both physical and online access to the material students need. The physical bookstore, in Building 36 on the Ocala Campus, offers tons of CF merch and "a limited range of physical textbooks." It's open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays. Building 36 is located at 3001 SW College Rd. As for, you know, a less limited range of texts, CF and BibliU are launching a new MyCF Books program as part of its MyCF student portal. "Through this new partnership with BibliU, CF students also have easy access to the new MyCF Books program, which provides day-one access to all required digital textbooks and courseware directly in their online student portal," read an announcement. "Through the flat-rate program, MyCF Books, CF students will have access to required course materials for one predictable cost, helping reduce uncertainty around textbook pricing and making it easier to be prepared for class. The digital-first model is designed to improve affordability, simplify access and support student success from the first day of the term." CF ran MyCF Books as a pilot program over the summer semester; the new protocol will be in full effect for the fall semester beginning August 17. "The College of Central Florida is excited to partner with BibliU to offer our students an improved bookstore experience to promote academic success with affordable and accessible textbook options," said Dr. Jim Henningsen, CF president, in a statement. For more useful information about the community's return to school, check out 352Today's useful Back to School in the 352 special section.

BibliU raises $55M from BlackRock as EdTech startup surpasses $100M in annual revenue (ARR). Getting students access to required course materials on the first day of class has long been a pain point for colleges and universities. The process is often fragmented, involving campus bookstores, publishers, third-party vendors, and multiple technology systems that don't always work well together. BibliU thinks it has a better way. The education tech startup announced Tuesday that it has secured $55 million in new funding from BlackRock, existing investor Stonehage Fleming, and other backers. The financing comes at a time when BibliU says it has surpassed $100 million in annual revenue and recorded more than 100% compound annual growth over the past two years. The funding marks another milestone for a company that has steadily broadened its role in higher education. What started as a digital course materials platform has evolved into a business that manages both academic content delivery and campus retail operations for colleges and universities. Today, BibliU works with more than 100 institutional partners across 30 U.S. states and serves more than 170 colleges and universities globally. Its customers include community colleges, public universities, and statewide education systems seeking to simplify the way students access learning materials and campus services. The company's growth has accelerated through a series of new institutional partnerships. Among the most significant is an agreement with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which serves 16 colleges and represents BibliU's first statewide system partnership and entry into Kentucky. The company has gained traction in North Carolina as well, where 13 community colleges have adopted its platform and services. The fresh capital will be used to support continued growth, including investments in inventory, technology development, and operational capacity as the company adds new campuses. "Several years ago, we made the deliberate decision to expand beyond digital course material delivery and build a truly vertically integrated model, one that combines our technology platforms with full-service campus retail operations," said Dave Sherwood, CEO of BibliU. "The acquisition of Texas Book Company was the catalyst for that vision and enabled us to build something no other provider in this market offers at our scale. We now have the best team in the industry, are winning over new institutional partners in new states every semester, and are doing so with a clear focus on profitable growth. The support from BlackRock and Stonehage Fleming reflects confidence in both our strategy and trajectory. We are excited about what comes next for our partners and their students." A key turning point for BibliU came with its acquisition of Texas Book Company, a deal that expanded its reach beyond digital course materials into physical campus retail operations. That move helped create the hybrid model BibliU now promotes as a differentiator in a market where many providers focus on only one piece of the student experience. BlackRock backs BibliU with $55M as higher education platform hits $100M revenue milestone. The latest financing reflects continued support from existing investors. BlackRock has backed the company since the acquisition of Texas Book Company and has participated in the new round. Stonehage Fleming, a long-time investor in BibliU, increased its commitment through a convertible investment. "We first invested in BibliU because we believed in the team and the scale of the opportunity in higher education. Everything that has followed the launch and expansion into the US market, the Texas Book Company acquisition, the growth to over 100 institutional partners, and surpassing $100 million in revenue has reinforced that conviction. BibliU is not just growing; they are doing it in a way that genuinely improves outcomes for students and institutions alike," said Richard Hill, Head of Private Markets at Stonehage Fleming. For higher education institutions facing enrollment pressure, budget constraints, and rising student costs, the appeal of consolidating course materials, bookstore operations, and digital learning tools under a single provider has grown. BibliU is betting that demand will continue to grow, and its latest funding round suggests investors believe the opportunity is far from saturated.