5 Companies Likely to Buy Coursera

By: Justin Ferriman • June 19, 2013
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I think many of us will look back on 2013 and call it the “year of the MOOCs”. As with any viable industry, the MOOC landscape is being flooded with similar services as everyone tries to grab their piece of the pie. Over time though, we will see only a few major players, and I predict that Coursera will be one of (if not THE one) remaining.

Coursera was launched in April 2012, and one year later boasts 3.2 million users. Similar to Facebook, I think we can reasonably expect the user growth to incrementally increase as the “wannabees” drop out or are gobbled up by competitors. During this time, we will likely see Coursera develop a viable revenue model (or at least some sort of respectable income model) in the effort to monetize their user base. I know this may rub some people the wrong way, but it’s the way of the world. Nothing is really “free” (just look at modern day Facebook or YouTube as an example).

What’s more, the investors in Coursera will certainly want to see a tidy return on their investment. This can happen in a variety of ways, including the eventual montetization, but the big payday comes when it is sold. The question is, who would (or could) buy Coursera? Below is a list of who I believe are the probable buyers interested in what Coursera represents:

1. Google – Let’s start with the most obvious. The big G has always been at the forefront of education, innovation, and flat-out useful services. They boast some of the coolest apps today, and understand how to monetize a large user base. They already have the infrastructure and knowledge capital to apply to Coursera in a very relevant way.

2. Facebook – FB has proven themselves as a social network, so applying their principles to social learning only seems natural.  There infrastructure alone could give Coursera a much needed face-lift (pun very much intended). Like Google, they have experience and success in monetization models, and they know how to get a very large user group engaged with each other using their software as a conduit.

3. Microsoft – Most people know Microsoft for computers or gaming, but it should come as no surprise that Microsoft purchases an average of eight companies a year.  Heck, in 2006 they bought 18!  Their gaming system, xbox, is home to roughly 40 million gamers, so they have applicable experience with pleasing (and managing) the masses.

4. Apple – This one was probably predictable given the previous prospect, but Apple does make sense as a potential buyer of Coursera.  Since it was started, Apple has had a business philosophy to purchase small companies that can be integrated into existing projects.  Unfortunately for Apple, it would appear that their window of opportunity will be closing in the near future as Coursera will start to get rather large.

5. Virgin Group – Richard Branson’s Virgin Group owns a company in just about every industry known to man, but believe it or not, they don’t have any investments in the education/elearning space.  They certainly have the capital and connections to take something like Coursera and give it a makeover – plus maybe Richard feels the need to give back?  Probably less likely than the previously mentioned companies, but I would personally love to see what they would make of it.

While all this is pure speculation, I think it’s reasonable to say that these five companies are some of the most viable contenders today.  I don’t expect Coursera to put up the “for sale” sign just yet, but you can believe that they already have suitors at their door.

Justin Ferriman

Justin started LearnDash, the WordPress LMS trusted by Fortune 500 companies, major universities, training organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide. He is currently founder & CEO of GapScout. Justin’s Homepage | GapScout | Twitter