BREAKING: Coursera has just announced a groundbreaking acquisition of its rival, Udemy, in a stunning all-stock transaction valued at approximately $2.5 billion. This move aims to significantly enhance workforce training capabilities, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The merger, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026, has received approval from both companies’ boards of directors. Coursera’s CEO, Greg Hart, emphasized the urgency of this acquisition, stating, “We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job across every industry.”
With this acquisition, Coursera intends to create a “comprehensive ecosystem” involving world-class instructors from leading universities and industry experts. The goal is to equip educators with AI-enhanced tools and data-driven insights, ultimately promoting career advancement and upskilling for millions of learners globally.
Hart further explained that the merger will allow both companies to combine their strengths, addressing the growing demand for advanced skills in fields such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science. “Together, we will ensure our millions of learners and thousands of enterprise, university, and government customers have a platform to keep pace with technology acceleration,” he said.
Udemy’s CEO echoed this sentiment, highlighting that for over 15 years, Udemy has empowered millions to master in-demand skills. “Through this combination with Coursera, we will create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors,” they stated.
The transaction is set to unlock significant revenue and operational synergies, solidifying the long-term financial profile of the combined entity. Hart will continue to lead the newly formed company, which will be governed by a board consisting of nine directors—six from Coursera and three from Udemy.
This acquisition comes at a time when the need for highly skilled workers is surging, making it imperative for educational platforms to adapt quickly to the changing demands of the job market. The implications of this merger are vast, as Coursera aims to expand its global operations while meeting the urgent needs of professionals worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Coursera and Udemy reshape the landscape of online education and workforce training.
