Online learning giants Coursera and Udemy have agreed to a major merger valued at about $2.5 billion, in a move that brings together two of the world’s biggest digital education platforms.
Under the agreement, Coursera will acquire Udemy in an all-stock transaction, creating a combined company aimed at strengthening its position in the fast-growing global e-learning market. The companies said the deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The merger comes as both firms face market pressure despite continued revenue growth. While Coursera and Udemy reported stronger earnings in the third quarter of 2025, their share prices have struggled, reflecting investor concerns about competition and profitability. Executives from both companies said the merger would combine Coursera’s academic and professional credentials with Udemy’s vast marketplace of skills-based courses.
Udemy CEO Hugo Sarrazin said the deal would deliver benefits to learners, instructors and enterprise customers while unlocking long-term value for shareholders. Coursera CEO Greg Hart added that the merger positions the new company to better respond to the rapid transformation of jobs driven by artificial intelligence, as demand for AI-related skills continues to surge worldwide.
Both companies have recently accelerated their push into AI-powered learning tools, and they believe the combined platform will be better equipped to help individuals and organizations adapt to the changing workforce.
