Coursera to Acquire Udemy to Create Global Learning Powerhouse
Coursera and Udemy have officially entered into a definitive merger agreement.
The all-stock transaction values the combined company at approximately $2.5 billion, creating a global learning powerhouse designed to dominate the “AI era” of workforce training.
The announcement, made on December 17, 2025, comes as the edtech industry shifts its focus from pandemic-era consumer growth to the high-stakes world of enterprise upskilling and corporate talent transformation.
Strategic Synergy: University Credentials Meets Marketplace Agility
The merger brings together two historically distinct business models.
Coursera is widely recognized for its partnerships with over 300 leading universities and industry giants, offering accredited degrees and professional certificates.
In contrast, Udemy operates a massive, agile marketplace where millions of independent instructors provide skills-based training in real-time.
“We are at a pivotal moment where AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job,” said Greg Hart, CEO of Coursera, who will lead the combined entity.
“By uniting our complementary strengths, we will unlock a faster pace of innovation and deliver better outcomes for our learners and enterprise customers.”
Coursera Acquires Udemy: Financial Terms and Ownership
Under the terms of the agreement, Udemy shareholders will receive 0.800 shares of Coursera common stock for each Udemy share they own.
This implies a significant premium for Udemy investors, approximately 26% over the 30-day average closing price.
Upon completion of the deal:
- Coursera Shareholders will own approximately 59% of the combined company.
- Udemy Shareholders will own approximately 41%.
- The combined entity expects to generate over $1.5 billion in annual revenue.
- Management anticipates $115 million in annual cost synergies within the first 24 months.
Focusing on the AI Skills Gap
A primary driver for the merger is the global demand for AI literacy. As generative AI transforms industries, companies are racing to reskill their workforces.
The new platform will integrate Udemy’s dynamic, AI-powered skills marketplace with Coursera’s structured academic pathways.
This creates a “one-stop shop” for organizations needing both deep-dive academic training and rapid, specialized skill boosts in data science, software development, and AI engineering.
Coursera and Udemy Leadership and Timeline
The merged company will retain the Coursera name and continue trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol COUR. It will be headquartered in Mountain View, California.
The Board of Directors will consist of nine members—six from Coursera and three from Udemy.
Notably, Coursera Chairman Andrew Ng and CEO Greg Hart will maintain their current roles.
The boards of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.
It is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and YouTube to get the latest news updates. Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.