Coursera and Udemy announced Wednesday a landmark merger deal worth approximately $2.5 billion that will combine the two leading online learning companies.
Coursera acquires Udemy in an all-stock deal, marking a pivotal moment in online education. The companies said the merger is expected to close in the second half of next year, pending regulatory review and shareholder approval.
The deal comes at a difficult time for both Udemy and Coursera, which are facing market headwinds. Despite both companies posting revenue growth in the third quarter of 2025, their stock prices fell, highlighting investor distrust in the platforms.
As a combined company, Udemy and Coursera aimed to reassure shareholders by suggesting that combining the strengths of both platforms could deliver both immediate benefits and long-term growth potential.
“Through this integration with Coursera, we create meaningful benefits for our learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to our shareholders who participate in the combined company’s significant upside potential,” Udemy CEO Hugo Sarazin said in a statement.
Additionally, Sarrazin said the merger will accelerate plans to introduce AI-powered products as the online learning market continues to expand, especially with the adoption of AI.
Coursera recently announced an integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT app ecosystem and a content partnership with Anthropic. Wednesday’s announcement also comes just two days after Udemy rolled out a new “AI-powered microlearning experience.” The aim is to provide shorter, more personalized lessons that fit around students’ busy schedules.
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The companies also believe that the merger will help them address how AI will transform the workplace, as AI literacy becomes a requirement for many employees. The number of jobs requiring AI skills has skyrocketed in recent years, with one in three recruiters believing they would not consider a candidate without AI skills, according to one study.
“We are at a pivotal moment where AI is rapidly redefining the skills needed for every job in every industry. Organizations and individuals around the world need a platform that is as agile as the new and emerging skills that learners must master,” added Greg Hart, CEO of Coursera.
