Benesse to Nova: No Thanks

Add Benesse Corporation to the list of companies not interested in Nova.

According to a on July 12, Chairman and CEO, Soichiro Fukutake, said that he saw no "synergy effect" in partnering with Nova.

A separate blurb in the Nikkan Sports also reiterated Fukutake's lack of interest in Nova. Fukutake also stated that he was particular when it came to Benesse's English language business and that he was interested in expanding Berlitz schools overseas (Berlitz is a subsidiary of Benesse Corporation).

I realize that it's early in Nova's six-month punishment and anything can happen, but this is another bad sign for Nova. Partnering or merging with another English school would seem like a likely path for Nova, but from Fukutake's standpoint, his lack of interest is clear: Nova brings nothing to the table and partnering with them would only hurt the Berlitz (and possibly Simul) brand.