Coursera Inc
NYSE:COUR
Coursera Inc
In the rapidly evolving world of online education, Coursera Inc. has carved a formidable presence as a pioneer in accessible, high-quality learning. Founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, the platform emerged during a transformative time when digital learning was beginning to democratize education. Coursera partners with universities and institutions globally to offer a robust catalog of courses across a multitude of disciplines. This collaboration allows the company to offer individual courses, professional certificates, and even full degree programs, making higher education available to anyone with an internet connection. The company’s learning ecosystem is designed to cater to varied learning needs, from casual learners to professionals seeking career advancements, by providing interactive and engaging content that promotes knowledge retention and practical application.
Coursera's business model is as innovative as it is multifaceted. Primarily, the company generates revenue through a tiered approach, targeting different segments of their user base. The freemium model attracts users by offering preliminary access to course materials at no cost, enticing them to transition to paid certificates and specialization courses for a more comprehensive learning experience. On the professional front, the company offers enterprise solutions, partnering with businesses to provide customized training programs for workforce development, which forms a major chunk of its revenue stream. Furthermore, Coursera partners with universities to offer degree programs, allowing students to earn accredited degrees in a more flexible and often more affordable manner compared to traditional settings. This synergy of educational offerings and diverse revenue channels positions Coursera as a significant player in the edtech industry, continually expanding its reach in a world increasingly reliant on digital learning.
In the rapidly evolving world of online education, Coursera Inc. has carved a formidable presence as a pioneer in accessible, high-quality learning. Founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, the platform emerged during a transformative time when digital learning was beginning to democratize education. Coursera partners with universities and institutions globally to offer a robust catalog of courses across a multitude of disciplines. This collaboration allows the company to offer individual courses, professional certificates, and even full degree programs, making higher education available to anyone with an internet connection. The company’s learning ecosystem is designed to cater to varied learning needs, from casual learners to professionals seeking career advancements, by providing interactive and engaging content that promotes knowledge retention and practical application.
Coursera's business model is as innovative as it is multifaceted. Primarily, the company generates revenue through a tiered approach, targeting different segments of their user base. The freemium model attracts users by offering preliminary access to course materials at no cost, enticing them to transition to paid certificates and specialization courses for a more comprehensive learning experience. On the professional front, the company offers enterprise solutions, partnering with businesses to provide customized training programs for workforce development, which forms a major chunk of its revenue stream. Furthermore, Coursera partners with universities to offer degree programs, allowing students to earn accredited degrees in a more flexible and often more affordable manner compared to traditional settings. This synergy of educational offerings and diverse revenue channels positions Coursera as a significant player in the edtech industry, continually expanding its reach in a world increasingly reliant on digital learning.
Revenue Growth: Coursera reported full-year 2025 revenue of $757 million, up 9% year-over-year and more than double its initial 4% growth outlook.
Profitability: The company achieved record free cash flow of $78 million (up 32% YoY) and expanded adjusted EBITDA margin by 240 basis points to 8.4%.
Q4 Performance: Q4 revenue was $197 million, up 10% YoY, with double-digit revenue growth for the last three consecutive quarters.
Strong Learner Growth: Over 29 million new registered learners were added in 2025, bringing the cumulative base up by 17% YoY; Q4 saw a record 6.8 million new learners.
Platform Fee Introduced: A 15% platform fee was launched for eligible new sales starting January 2026, aimed at funding ongoing investment in AI and platform innovation.
Udemy Merger: The proposed merger with Udemy is progressing, with anticipated annual run-rate cost synergies of $115 million within 24 months of closing.
2026 Guidance: Revenue for 2026 is expected to be $805–815 million (6–8% growth), with adjusted EBITDA of $70–76 million and margin expansion to ~9%.
Consumer Segment Strength: Consumer revenue grew 12% YoY in Q4, driven by subscriptions and course offerings, while enterprise growth was more modest.
