In a landmark move set to reshape the online learning landscape, Coursera has announced an agreement to acquire rival platform Udemy through an all-stock transaction. This strategic merger will unite two of the largest players in the education technology (edtech) sector, combining their distinct consumer and enterprise offerings under a single banner.
Terms of the Acquisition
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, each share of Udemy common stock will be exchanged for 0.800 shares of Coursera common stock. Upon completion of the acquisition, current Coursera shareholders are projected to own approximately 59% of the combined entity, while Udemy shareholders will hold about 41%.
The merged company will operate as Coursera, Inc., maintaining its headquarters in Mountain View, California. Greg Hart will continue as CEO, with Coursera's Andrew Ng serving as Chairman. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2026, pending shareholder approvals and necessary regulatory clearances.
Synergies and Combined Offerings
The acquisition brings together Coursera's robust platform, known for its partnerships with universities, institutions, and industry organizations focusing on credentialed learning programs, and Udemy's expansive open marketplace, which empowers individual instructors and serves a broad base of enterprise customers with diverse training programs. The combined company aims to deliver a comprehensive suite of academic courses, professional skills training, and enterprise learning solutions through a unified platform.
Scale and Market Reach
Together, the two companies boast an impressive reach of over 270 million registered learners and nearly 19,000 enterprise customers worldwide. Coursera contributes its strong institutional partnerships and credential-focused offerings, while Udemy adds a vast instructor marketplace and a significant global enterprise customer base, generating a majority of its revenue outside North America. Coursera, conversely, sees a larger share of its revenue from the United States market, creating a geographically balanced powerhouse.
Industry Reaction
The news has generated considerable surprise within the online learning community. An instructor on Udemy expressed uncertainty about the future, sharing their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter):
“I can’t tell what this acquisition by Coursera means for my future as a Udemy instructor. Time will tell. I will definitely keep on teaching — on one platform or another.
But learning that a brand that was THE main part of my professional life for the last 10 years will go away is really very, very sad.”
For more details, visit the official Coursera investor relations website:
