Two of the world’s largest online learning platforms, Coursera and Udemy, have announced a landmark $2.5 billion all-stock merger, marking one of the most significant consolidations in the global edtech industry. The deal, expected to close in the second half of 2026, brings together complementary strengths at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining workforce skills and the economics of digital education.
Under the terms of the agreement, Coursera will acquire Udemy, creating a combined platform serving hundreds of millions of learners, thousands of enterprise and institutional customers, and a vast global network of instructors. The merged company will operate under the Coursera brand, remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: COUR), and be headquartered in Mountain View, California, with Coursera CEO Greg Hart continuing as chief executive.
The timing of the merger reflects both opportunity and pressure. Despite steady revenue growth reported by both companies in the third quarter of 2025, their share prices have struggled, signalling investor concerns around long-term differentiation, competition, and profitability in an increasingly crowded learning market. By combining forces, Coursera and Udemy aim to reassure shareholders while positioning the business for sustainable growth.
At the heart of the deal is a shared belief that AI-driven skills transformation will define the next phase of online education. Job requirements are evolving faster than traditional learning models can accommodate, with AI literacy quickly becoming a baseline expectation across industries. Recent surveys suggest that one in three hiring managers would not consider candidates without AI skills, underscoring the urgency for scalable, adaptive learning platforms.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in which AI is rapidly redefining the skills required for every job,” said Greg Hart. “Organizations and individuals need a platform that is as agile as the skills learners must master.” Hart noted that the merger would allow the combined company to accelerate innovation, improve learner outcomes, and better serve enterprise, university, and government customers worldwide.
Udemy CEO Hugo Sarrazin echoed this sentiment, highlighting the value of consolidation at a time of market transition. “Together, we will create meaningful benefits for learners, enterprise customers, and instructors, while delivering significant value to shareholders,” he said, pointing to the “substantial upside potential” of the combined platform.
Both companies have already been investing heavily in AI. Coursera recently announced integrations with OpenAI’s ChatGPT ecosystem and a content partnership with Anthropic, while Udemy rolled out an AI-powered microlearning experience designed to deliver short, personalised lessons aligned with busy work schedules. The merger is expected to accelerate these initiatives, allowing shared data, product teams, and technology infrastructure to drive faster AI-native development.
From a financial perspective, the companies project $115 million in annual run-rate cost synergies within 24 months of closing, alongside plans for a sizable share repurchase programme. Ownership of the combined company will be split approximately 59% to Coursera shareholders and 41% to Udemy shareholders, with the transaction approved unanimously by both boards.
Beyond scale and cost efficiencies, the merger reflects a broader shift in online education—from standalone course marketplaces to end-to-end skills platforms that support discovery, verification, and career mobility. As AI continues to reshape how people learn and work, the Coursera-Udemy combination represents a strategic bet that breadth, adaptability, and intelligent personalization will define the next generation of global learning infrastructure.
