Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Coursera and Udemy announced last week a landmark merger agreement valued at approximately $2.5 billion, which brings together two of the biggest names in online learning. Coursera will acquire Udemy in an allstock transaction, marking a pivotal moment in online education. The companies said the merger will be finalised in the second half of next year, pending regulatory review and shareholder approval.
This agreement comes at a challenging time for both Udemy and Coursera, as each faces market headwinds. Despite both companies posting revenue growth in the third quarter of 2025, their share prices declined, underscoring investors’ lack of confidence in the platforms. As a combined company, Udemy and Coursera aimed to reassure shareholders, suggesting that the combined strengths of both platforms could deliver both immediate returns as well as long-term growth potential.
“Through this combination with Coursera, we will create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to our shareholders, who will participate in the substantial upside potential of the combined company,” Udemy CEO Hugo Sarrazin said in a statement.
Additionally, as the online learning market continues to expand — particularly with the adoption of AI — Sarrazin said the merger will accelerate plans to introduce AI-powered products. Coursera recently announced an integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT app ecosystem and a content partnership with Anthropic. The merger announcement also comes just two days after Udemy rolled out its new “AI-powered micro-learning experience,” which aims to give students shorter, personalised lessons that fit their busy schedules.
As a combined company, Udemy and Coursera aimed to reassure shareholders, suggesting that the combined strengths of both platforms could deliver both immediate returns as well as long-term growth potential
The companies also believe the merger will better position them to address how AI is transforming the workplace, as AI literacy becomes a requirement for many employees. Job postings requiring AI skills have surged in the past few years, and according to one survey, one in three hiring managers wouldn’t consider candidates without them. “We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job across every industry. Organisations and individuals around the world need a platform that is as agile as the new and emerging skills learners must master,” added Coursera CEO Greg Hart.
