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Draft:Great Learning (company)

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  • Comment: See WP:COI. Note also the cite errors and numerous links to disambig pages. Greenman (talk) 06:31, 3 January 2025 (UTC)
Great Learning
Company typePrivate
IndustryEdtech
Founded2013; 12 years ago (2013)
FoundersMohan Lakhamraju
Headquarters
Bangalore, Karnataka
,
India
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Mohan Lakhamraju
(Founder and CEO)
Hari Krishnan Nair,
(Co-founder)
Arjun Nair
(Co-founder)
Productsmainly MOOC contents
RevenueIncrease $118 million[1]
Number of employees
1629
SubsidiariesNorthwest Executive Education,[2] Superset[3]
Websitewww.mygreatlearning.com

Great Learning is an Indian edtech company headquartered in Bengaluru, India, with a secondary office in Singapore.[4] Founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Mohan Lakhamraju, the company offers professional and higher education courses in fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, business analytics, and software engineering. Its programs are delivered through online, blended, and in-person formats.[5] The company has partnered with academic institutions such as Stanford University, the University of Texas at Austin, and the IIT Madras to develop curriculum for its programs.[6]

History

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Great Learning was founded in 2013 by Mohan Lakhamraju, former Managing Director of Tiger Global's India operations. The company provides professional education programs in fields including technology, data science, and business management.[7] As of 2025, it reports having delivered over 110 million hours of training to learners worldwide.

In 2021, BYJU'S acquired Great Learning in a deal valued at 600 million,[8] comprising both cash and equity components. The acquisition aligned with BYJU'S expansion into professional education markets.[9]

On 14 September 2020, Great Learning announced Indian cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador in a partnership aimed at promoting professional education in India.[10] Following the 2021 acquisition by BYJU'S, Great Learning remained operational while its parent company faced financial difficulties between 2023 and 2024. During this period, BYJU'S attempted to sell several subsidiaries, including Great Learning, to address its $1.5 billion debt.[11] The company ultimately regained independence in 2024 through a separation from BYJU'S.[12]

Programs and Services

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Great Learning provides programs in fields such as data science, artificial intelligence[13], machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and management. These programs include postgraduate certificates, degrees, and free courses. The company partners with institutions including the Jain University[14] University of Texas at Austin, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, IIT Bombay, Deakin University, University of Arizona, Clark University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to offer these educational programs.

The Great Learning Academy[15] offers over 1,000 free courses with certificates across various fields. The initiative is designed to provide learners with foundational knowledge and practical skills in high-demand areas.[16]

Awards and Recognitions

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  • Entrepreneur India 2024 - Best corporate training Platform[17]
  • ET Education Excellence Awards - Outstanding Education/EdTech Solution Provider of the Year[18]
  • Observe Now 6th Education Leaders Conclave - Leading E learning platform 2024
  • Collegedunia - Best Edtech Platform of the Year
  • BW Education Super 30 Top Education Brands Awards - Best E-Learning/Online Tutoring Company of the Year[19]
  • Franchise India - Best Edtech Company of the year 2022
  • Education Innovation Awards India - Best Online Skills Provider of the year[20]
  • EdTechReview Awards 2020 - Best E-Learning Company of the Year, EdTech CEO of the Year

Acquisitions

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In May 2022, Great Learning acquired Northwest Executive Education, a company specializing in executive education programs, in a deal valued at $100 million[21][22][23]

In February 2022, Great Learning acquired Superset[24][25], a recruitment automation platform for educational institutions and enterprises.

Recent Developments

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In September 2023, reports emerged that BYJU'S, the parent company of Great Learning, planned to sell two of its key assets—Great Learning and Epic[26] to generate between $800 million and $1 billion in cash. This move was aimed at meeting BYJU'S commitment to repay a $1.2 billion[27] term loan B.[28]

In October 2023, reports indicated that the founders of Great Learning were in discussions to repurchase the company from BYJU'S[29][30]. The talks were at an early stage, with the founders engaging with investors to secure funds for a potential deal.

Subsequently, in October 2023, BYJU'S lenders appointed the risk and financial advisory firm Kroll to protect the assets of Great Learning and BYJU'S[31]. This action was part of the secured lenders' exercise of their security rights following defaults by BYJU'S. The appointment aimed to safeguard the charged assets, which are used as collateral to secure loans, allowing lenders to seize them if the borrower defaults.[32]

Great Learning has maintained operational stability and growth under its original leadership, even as its parent company, BYJU'S, faces financial difficulties. Unlike other BYJU'S acquisitions, Great Learning operates independently, with minimal interference from its parent company, and has demonstrated a strong focus on innovation. In 2024, the company launched a Generative AI academy to address the growing demand for expertise in artificial intelligence.[33]

The company's financial performance and strategic importance within BYJU'S portfolio have also drawn attention. Reports from October 2023 indicate that lenders have taken steps to secure Great Learning's assets following defaults by BYJU'S. This reflects the critical role the company plays in BYJU'S business strategy.[34]

Furthermore, discussions about a potential repurchase of Great Learning by its founders have emerged. This development is part of a broader strategy to restore financial stability and refocus the company's long-term growth goals.[35] As part of its strategic roadmap, Great Learning has also been considering an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Reports suggest that an IPO could help the company strengthen its financial standing and expand its market presence, particularly in the professional upskilling domain.

References

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  1. ^ Service, Express News (2025-02-10). "'Online learning is absolutely here to stay; 162offline is costly'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  2. ^ "Byju's-owned Great Learning acquires Northwest Executive Learning in $100 million deal". The Economic Times. 10 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Byju's-owned upskilling platform Great Learning buys recruitment firm Superset". mint. 23 February 2022. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  4. ^ Venugopalan, Anjali (7 August 2019). "Ed-tech company, Great Learning, to set up office in Singapore". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  5. ^ Malik, Bismah (19 February 2025). "Life After BYJU'S: How Great Learning Built A Profitable Future Away From The Tainted Giant". Inc42. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Great Learning Collaborates with Stanford University to Launch AI Program". Mint. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  7. ^ Malik, Bismah (2025-02-19). "Life After BYJU'S: How Great Learning Built A Profitable Future Away From The Tainted Giant". Inc42 Media. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  8. ^ Standard, Business. "Byju's on an acquisition spree, buys Great Learning for $600 mn". www.business-standard.com. Archived from the original on 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-05-17. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ Nandy, Madhurima (26 July 2021). "Byju's buys Great Learning; to invest $1 bn in upskilling, higher education". mint.
  10. ^ "Virat Kohli roped in as Brand Ambassador by EdTech major Great Learning". CNBC-TV18. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  11. ^ Verma, Mansi; Shah, Sneha (25 October 2024). "Fresh out of Byju's clutches, Great Learning turns over a new leaf". Mint. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  12. ^ Malik, Bismah (19 February 2025). "Life After BYJU'S: How Great Learning Built A Profitable Future Away From The Tainted Giant". Inc42. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Learn AI for free: Top 5 online courses to explore in 2025". India Today. 2025-02-13. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  14. ^ Learning, Great. "Great Learning collaborates with JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) to offer cutting edge PG and UG degree programs". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  15. ^ "Great Learning launches online library on artificial intelligence, digital marketing". April 2020.
  16. ^ "AI in education is inevitable, but are learners ready? Mohan Lakhamraju on 'Glaide's' big bet". Business Today. 2025-02-07. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  17. ^ "2023 Award Winners". www.entrepreneurindia.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  18. ^ www.ETEducation.com. "Education Excellence Awards 2024". ETEducation.com. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
  19. ^ "BW Education Super 30 Top Education Brands Awards & Summit 2023 Celebrates Excellence In Education". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  20. ^ "Education Innovation Summit and Awards 2023". www.entrepreneurindia.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  21. ^ "BYju's owned Great Learning acquires Northwest Executive Education". 11 May 2022.
  22. ^ "BYJU's owned Great Learning acquires Singapore-based Northwest Executive Education". 11 May 2022.
  23. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Byju's-owned Great Learning to make two acquisitions this fiscal year; scouting for more". 14 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Great Learning acquires recruitment platform Superset - CNBC TV18". 22 February 2022.
  25. ^ "BYJU's group company Great Learning acquires recruitment automation platform Superset". The Times of India. 22 February 2022.
  26. ^ "Byju's plans to sell Epic, Great Learning to repay $1.2 billion loan". The Times of India. 11 September 2023.
  27. ^ Mishra, Digbijay (12 September 2023). "Byju's puts Epic, Great Learning on sale to clear $1.2 billion loan". The Economic Times.
  28. ^ Sriram, M.; Kalra, Aditya; Sriram, M.; Kalra, Aditya (11 September 2023). "India's Byju's looks to raise $1 BLN with sale of Great Learning, Epic". Reuters.
  29. ^ Raghavan, Sneha Shah (5 October 2023). "Founders look to buy Great Learning back". mint.
  30. ^ "Great Learning founders look to buy firm back from Byju's".
  31. ^ "Byju's creditors onboard Kroll to 'safeguard' Great Learning assets".
  32. ^ Shah, Sneha (11 October 2023). "Byju's lenders appoint Kroll to help safeguard assets of Great Learning | Company Business News". mint.
  33. ^ "Great Learning is one that got away". 19 August 2024.
  34. ^ Shah, Mansi Verma (25 October 2024). "Fresh out of Byju's clutches, Great Learning turns over a new leaf". mint.
  35. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/india/mint-kolkata/20241026/282114937063545 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
[edit]

Category:Indian educational websites Category:Educational technology companies Category:Education companies of India Category:Indian companies established in 2013

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