Nonprofit Lemnis Acquires Mainstay, AI Student Support Platform Used by 200+ Colleges
Lemnis, a public charity focused on expanding educational access, acquired Mainstay on March 24, 2026. Mainstay will convert from a for-profit entity to a nonprofit division within Lemnis.
Mainstay operates AI-enabled student support software across more than 200 colleges and universities. The platform focuses on improving enrollment, persistence, and degree completion rates.
Research shows measurable student outcomes
Randomized controlled trials have documented Mainstay's impact on student success. A 2018 study by Brookings Institution and Georgia State University found the platform reduced "summer melt"-when accepted students fail to enroll-by 20%.
Brown University's Annenberg Institute conducted another trial on course-specific outreach. First-generation students who received proactive messaging improved their grades by a full letter grade in large lecture courses.
The company has also demonstrated gains in FAFSA completion, course registration, and student grades across its user base.
Part of Lemnis' nonprofit acquisition strategy
This is Lemnis' second acquisition this year. In February, the organization acquired InsideTrack, a nonprofit that has provided success coaching to 3.6 million learners over 25 years.
Both organizations will operate as divisions of Lemnis while maintaining their current services and focus. Lemnis funds these acquisitions through patient capital rather than seeking immediate returns.
Melissa Johnston, founding CEO of Lemnis, said the transaction reflects a belief that "the next chapter of education will be shaped by organizations that successfully combine breakthrough technology with the empathy, support and care that only humans can provide."
Why the nonprofit conversion matters
Tony Frey, Mainstay's CEO, said the nonprofit structure will allow the company to "deepen and sustain our impact in unlocking opportunity for more students." He emphasized that emerging technologies work only when "they're built and implemented in ways that improve-not reduce-human connection and interaction."
Mainstay was founded in 2014. The company started with AdmitHub, a student engagement platform using behavioral science and AI, then expanded into student success coaching.
Learn more about AI for Education and how institutions are implementing these tools, or explore resources for AI for Teachers working with student support systems.
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