Udemy Co-founder Calls $2.5B Coursera Merger 'Disappointing'
Gagan Biyani, who co-founded online learning platform Udemy, publicly slammed the company's $2.5 billion merger with rival Coursera. Biyani called the deal "disappointing" and said it shows deeper problems with Udemy's growth and business strategy.
Gagan Biyani, who helped start Udemy in 2010, went public with harsh criticism of his former company's $2.5 billion merger with Coursera. He called the deal "disappointing" and said it reflects serious issues with how Udemy has grown and planned its future.
The merger combines two of the biggest names in online learning. Udemy is known for affordable individual courses on everything from coding to cooking. Coursera focuses more on university partnerships and professional certificates that can cost hundreds of dollars.
Biyani's public rant has become what industry watchers call "a masterclass in what not to do" when criticizing business deals. His comments highlight tensions about the direction of online education and whether these platforms truly serve students or just chase profits.
The merger details remain unclear, especially around pricing. Nobody knows if the combined company will keep Udemy's cheap course model or shift toward Coursera's more expensive subscription and credential system.
Past education mergers have faced similar criticism. When edX merged with 2U, the deal was later restructured after pushback from Harvard and MIT, the universities that originally founded edX.
This merger creates a giant in online education that could change how millions learn new skills and earn certificates. The criticism from Udemy's own co-founder suggests the deal might not benefit students or course creators who use these platforms.
Watch for official announcements about pricing changes and platform features as the merger moves forward.
Was this article helpful?
0 people found this helpful