Coursera to Acquire Udemy in $2.5B All-Stock Deal to Boost AI Training

Coursera has announced plans to acquire rival online education company Udemy in an all-stock transaction that values the combined business at $2.5 billion. The deal comes as the online education sector continues to consolidate following a post-pandemic slowdown and increased investor scrutiny.

Under the agreement, Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera for each Udemy share they own, valuing Udemy at approximately $930 million, according to Reuters calculations. Following the announcement, Coursera shares rose about 4%, while Udemy stock surged nearly 22%.

Focus on AI and Workforce Upskilling

Both companies believe the merger will strengthen their ability to serve corporate clients seeking workforce training—particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and software development. As generative AI rapidly reshapes industries, employers are investing heavily in reskilling and upskilling their employees.

“At a high level, this deal makes sense both strategically and financially,” said Stephen Sheldon, an analyst at William Blair. He noted that the companies’ complementary content libraries and overlapping markets could unlock meaningful cost synergies.

Deal Timeline and Valuation

Based on Coursera’s most recent closing price, the offer values Udemy shares at $6.35, representing a premium of about 18.3%. The companies expect the transaction to close in the second half of next year, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Different Models, One Platform

Coursera is known for partnering with universities and institutions to offer degree programs and professional certificates, while Udemy operates a marketplace of independent instructors, selling individual courses and enterprise subscriptions. The merger aims to combine these strengths into a single, more competitive platform.

Investor Caution Persists

Despite strong narratives around AI-driven growth, investors remain cautious about online education stocks due to intense competition, pricing pressures, and uncertain returns on AI investments. Udemy shares are down roughly 35% year-to-date, while Coursera has declined about 7%, leaving both companies trading well below their post-IPO highs.

If approved, the Coursera–Udemy merger could mark one of the most significant consolidations in online education, positioning the combined firm to better compete in the fast-growing AI training market.