Coursera, Inc. (COUR): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever wondered how Coursera, with its 168 million registered learners as of December 31, 2024, has revolutionized online education? Founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera has grown into a leading platform, partnering with over 350 universities and industry leaders. But how exactly did Coursera achieve such scale, and what's the secret behind its mission to provide universal access to world-class learning? Keep reading to uncover the history, ownership structure, operational model, and revenue streams that power this educational giant.

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) History

Coursera's Founding Timeline

Year established

The company was officially established in 2012.

Original location

The company was originally located in Mountain View, California.

Founding team members

The company was founded by two Stanford University computer science professors: Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller.

Initial capital/funding

The initial funding for the company came from venture capital firms, raising $16 million in Series A funding led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and New Enterprise Associates.

Coursera's Evolution Milestones

Coursera's Transformative Moments

• Pivotal Shift to Degree Programs: The decision to offer full Bachelor's and Master's degrees marked a significant expansion from individual courses and specializations, establishing the company as a comprehensive online education provider.
• Expansion into Enterprise Learning: Launching Coursera for Business (now Coursera for Enterprise) allowed the company to tap into the corporate training market, creating a new revenue stream and diversifying its user base.
• Global Partnerships: Forming partnerships with numerous universities and institutions worldwide broadened the company's course catalog and increased its global reach, making education accessible to a wider audience.
• Technological Innovation: Investing in AI-driven tools and personalized learning experiences enhanced user engagement and improved learning outcomes, setting the company apart in the competitive online education market.

To gain further insights into the company's financial performance, see Breaking Down Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Ownership Structure

Coursera operates as a publicly traded company with a diverse ownership structure, encompassing institutional investors, company insiders, and individual shareholders.

Coursera's Current Status

Coursera is a public company, trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol COUR. This means that a portion of the company is owned by public investors who can buy and sell shares of the company's stock on the open market. For detailed insights into Coursera's financial performance, see Breaking Down Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Coursera's Ownership Breakdown

Understanding the ownership breakdown of Coursera provides valuable insights into the distribution of control and influence within the company. Here's a table summarizing the key ownership categories and their approximate percentages, based on the most recent available data:

Coursera's Leadership

Coursera's direction is guided by a team of experienced leaders. Here are some of the key figures:

• Jeff Maggioncalda: Chief Executive Officer
• Andrew Ng: Co-Founder
• Daphne Koller: Co-Founder

The leadership team is complemented by a Board of Directors, which includes individuals with diverse backgrounds in technology, education, and business. The Board plays a crucial role in overseeing the company's strategy and ensuring accountability to shareholders.

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Mission and Values

Coursera's mission is to transform lives by providing access to flexible, affordable, and job-relevant online learning. The company values impact, innovation, and inclusivity, aiming to empower learners and educators worldwide.

Coursera's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Coursera's official mission statement is: 'Transforming lives through learning.'

• Coursera aims to provide universal access to the world’s best education.
• They partner with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
• Coursera focuses on delivering flexible, affordable, and job-relevant education to individuals around the world.

Vision statement

Coursera's vision is to create a world where anyone, anywhere has the power to transform their life through learning. This vision is reflected in their initiatives to broaden access to education and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

• Focus on global access: Coursera aims to reach learners in every corner of the world, breaking down geographical barriers to education.
• Emphasis on quality: By partnering with top universities and institutions, Coursera ensures learners receive high-quality, rigorous instruction.
• Career advancement: Coursera is dedicated to providing learners with skills and knowledge that directly translate into career opportunities and advancement.

Company slogan/tagline

Coursera does not have a single, official slogan, but they frequently use phrases that emphasize their commitment to accessible and transformative learning. Here are a few common themes:

• 'Learn Without Limits' - This encapsulates the platform's open access and diverse course offerings.
• 'Transform Your Career' - Highlights the platform's focus on professional development and career advancement.
• 'Access the World's Best Education' - Reinforces Coursera's partnerships with top universities and institutions.

To delve deeper into Coursera's background and financial performance, check out: Breaking Down Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) How It Works

Coursera operates as an online learning platform that partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer courses, Specializations, certificates, and degrees. It provides learners with access to a wide range of educational content, enabling them to gain new skills and knowledge from anywhere in the world.

Coursera's Product/Service Portfolio

Coursera's Operational Framework

Coursera's operational framework is built upon several key processes:

• Content Acquisition and Curation: Coursera partners with top universities and industry experts to create and curate high-quality educational content. This involves identifying in-demand skills and knowledge areas, developing course curricula, and ensuring content is engaging and up-to-date.
• Platform Development and Maintenance: Coursera invests in its technology platform to provide a seamless learning experience for students. This includes developing and maintaining features such as video streaming, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and mobile apps.
• Marketing and Sales: Coursera employs a variety of marketing and sales strategies to attract students and organizations to its platform. This includes online advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, and partnerships with educational institutions and employers.
• Student Support: Coursera provides a range of support services to help students succeed in their learning journey. This includes technical support, course guidance, and career counseling.
• Data Analytics and Insights: Coursera uses data analytics to track student engagement, identify areas for improvement, and personalize the learning experience. This data is also used to inform content development and marketing strategies.

Coursera's Strategic Advantages

• Brand Recognition and Reputation: Coursera has established a strong brand reputation as a leading provider of online education. This helps to attract top universities, industry experts, and students to its platform.
• Extensive Content Library: Coursera offers a vast library of courses, Specializations, certificates, and degrees across a wide range of subjects. This provides students with a diverse range of learning options to choose from.
• Partnerships with Top Universities and Institutions: Coursera partners with over 275 of the world’s leading universities and institutions to offer high-quality educational content.
• Global Reach: Coursera has a global reach, with students from over 190 countries. This provides it with a large and diverse customer base.
• Technology Platform: Coursera's technology platform is designed to provide a seamless and engaging learning experience for students. This includes features such as video streaming, interactive quizzes, and discussion forums.
• Data Analytics and Insights: Coursera uses data analytics to track student engagement, identify areas for improvement, and personalize the learning experience. This data is also used to inform content development and marketing strategies.

To gain more insights into the company's core principles, you might find this resource helpful: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Coursera, Inc. (COUR).

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) How It Makes Money

Coursera generates revenue primarily through fees from individuals, institutions, and enterprises for accessing its courses, specializations, and degrees, as well as through various enterprise learning solutions.

Coursera's Revenue Breakdown

Coursera's Business Economics

Coursera operates with a multifaceted business model centered on providing educational content and credentials online. Key aspects of its business economics include:

• Pricing Strategy: Coursera employs varied pricing models, including subscription fees for unlimited access to courses, individual course purchases, and tuition fees for degree programs.
• Gross Margins: The company benefits from digital delivery, which allows for scalable content distribution, influencing healthy gross margins.
• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Investments in marketing and partnerships to attract new learners and institutional clients are critical. Efficiency in CAC is vital for profitability.
• Lifetime Value (LTV): Coursera aims to increase LTV by encouraging repeat subscriptions, upselling to degree programs, and expanding enterprise contracts.
• Operating Leverage: As Coursera scales, it seeks to leverage its technology platform and content library to reduce incremental costs, improving operating leverage.

Coursera's Financial Performance

Coursera's financial performance can be assessed through the following key metrics:

• Revenue Growth Rate: As of the fiscal year 2024, Coursera reported a revenue of $676.7 million, marking a 17% increase year-over-year. This growth rate reflects the increasing demand for online education and Coursera's expanding market presence.
• Gross Profit Margin: In 2024, Coursera's gross profit margin stood at 61.4%. This indicates the efficiency of Coursera in delivering its educational content.
• Net Loss: The company experienced a net loss of $129.9 million in 2024.
• Cash Flow: Coursera's net cash used in operating activities was $42.9 million in 2024.
• Liquidity: As of December 31, 2024, Coursera's total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $633.3 million.

More information about Coursera's financial health can be found here: Breaking Down Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Market Position & Future Outlook

As of April 2025, Coursera holds a significant position in the online education market, with a focus on partnerships with universities and institutions to deliver courses, specializations, and degrees. The company's future outlook appears positive, driven by the increasing demand for online learning and upskilling, but it also faces competition and the need to continuously innovate its offerings.

Competitive Landscape

Opportunities & Challenges

Industry Position

Coursera operates within the rapidly expanding online education market. Key aspects of its industry position include:

• Partnerships: Strong collaborations with top-tier universities and colleges, providing credibility and access to high-quality content.
• Diverse Offerings: A wide range of courses, Specializations, and degree programs catering to various learning needs and career goals.
• Global Reach: A significant international presence, serving learners in multiple languages and countries.

To delve deeper into the company's core values, explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Coursera, Inc. (COUR).