Belmont, MA (July 31, 2025) – RiverGlade Capital (“RiverGlade”), a healthcare-focused private equity firm, has formed a new partnership with Custom Learning Designs (“CLD” or the “Company”), a provider of technology enabled outsourced sales training solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
RiverGlade has partnered with Donna Kilcoyne, President and CEO, who acquired the Company from the founders in 2007 after working at CLD for nearly two decades. Donna will join the Company’s Board of Directors and will continue to act as President and CEO. The Company’s COO, Dorothy Russo, and the existing management team will continue to lead day-to-day operations.
CLD is a leading provider of customized sales training solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech, and other life sciences companies. Known for its deep therapeutic expertise, especially in high-growth areas such as oncology and rare disease, CLD is able to deliver training through over 30 learning formats, including live workshops, eLearning, gamification, and mobile platforms. Over the past several years, CLD has invested in both talent and technology to support growth. These investments position the Company to expand organically by deepening relationships with existing clients and adding new logos, while also pursuing strategic acquisitions to enhance its service offerings and reach new stakeholders across the drug development and commercialization lifecycle. With a strong recurring revenue base, robust margins, and high free cash flow, CLD is well-positioned for its next stage of growth.
About Custom Learning Designs (CLD)
Custom Learning Designs (CLD) is a trusted commercial training partner with deep roots in life sciences and a proven track record across the full product lifecycle. From pre-launch to post-launch, CLD helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies translate scientific complexity into field team confidence, ultimately improving sales performance and driving patient impact.
CLD’s integrated approach combines strategic consulting, instructional design, and cutting-edge learning experiences that span digital, live, and immersive formats. With decades of experience in high-stakes therapeutic areas including oncology, rare disease, neurology, and gene therapy, CLD brings sharp focus and urgency to every engagement, recognizing the high stakes involved.
At the heart of CLD’s success is a strong belief in partnership. Every solution is custom-built, grounded in science, and designed to drive behavior change where it matters most in the field, with customers, and at launch.
Performance driven by partnership. Success built together. For more information, visit cldinc.com.
About RiverGlade Capital
RiverGlade Capital is a healthcare-focused private equity firm that invests in founder-owned, high-quality, differentiated businesses. RiverGlade partners with companies that have demonstrated strong organic growth and where value can be accelerated through human capital investments, operational improvements, strategic planning, and dynamic organic and inorganic growth initiatives. For more information, visit riverglade.com.
