The online learning and development space is undergoing a seismic change as two technology powerhouses, Coursera and Udemy, announce they will combine into a single entity.
Online learning platform Coursera is set to merge with skills platform Udemy in a deal valued at $2.5 billion.
Coursera and Udemy’s respective platforms will merge into a consolidated/consolidation learning and development offering for consumer and enterprise clients.
Coursera CEO Greg Hart said that the deal is an "important milestone" but also there was "more work ahead" for the combined entity.
Online learning platform Coursera is set to merge with skills platform Udemy in a deal valued at $2.5 billion.
Expected to close in the second half of 2026, the merger will integrate Coursera and Udemy’s respective platforms into a consolidated learning and development offering for its consumer and enterprise clients.
The new organization will continue to operate under the Coursera brand.
A statement announcing the deal said the combined entity will be better positioned “at a critical inflection point to address the rapidly evolving global talent transformation market”.
It added that the two organizations’ “highly complementary capabilities” will form a platform “redefining skills discovery, development and mastery for learners and organizations at scale”.
Udemy CEO Hugo Sarrazin said that the deal will “unite the leading B2B and B2C reskilling platforms to create an unparalleled AI-powered platform”.
“As AI reshapes the future of work, the demand for continuous learning and reskilling has never been greater.
“By uniting Udemy’s vibrant marketplace of 85,000+ instructors with Coursera’s world-class university and industry partnerships, we’re creating a comprehensive ecosystem that serves learners across their entire professional journey.”
“The future of reskilling is coming, and it’ll be powered by the combined strength of our two platforms.”
Under the terms of the deal, Coursera CEO Greg Hart will continue in his role of the combined organization, as will Chairperson, Andrew Ng.
Commenting on LinkedIn, Hart said: As AI rapidly redefines the skills required for every job across every industry, organizations, and individuals need a platform that can evolve as quickly as the new and emerging skills they must master.
This is an important milestone, but there’s more work ahead.
“We remain deeply committed to bringing together our global ecosystem of world-class institutions and instructors to create a more powerful learning platform — one enabled by an industry-leading AI foundation.
“Together, our combined strength reinforces our shared commitment to a skills-first world and reflects our collective passion for creating more value for learners, customers, and all of our content partners.
“Thank you Hugo Sarrazin, for the tremendous passion, care, and commitment you and your team have brought to this partnership.”
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Senior Journalist, UNLEASH
John Brazier is an experienced and award-winning B2B journalist and editor, with a strong track record of hosting conferences, webinars, roundtables and video products. He has a keen interest in emerging technologies within the HR space, as well as wellbeing and employee experience topics. Prior to joining UNLEASH, John both led and wrote for various global and domestic financial services publications, including COVER Magazine, The TRADE, and WatersTechnology.
Get in touch via email: john@unleash.ai
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