Accenture to acquire digital education pioneer Udacity to expand tech learning services

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has announced its decision to acquire Udacity, a leader in digital education specializing in the development and delivery of proprietary technology courses. This move aims to augment Accenture‘s newly launched LearnVantage platform, providing clients with extensive technology learning and training services to reskill and upskill their workforce in technology, data, and AI. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, highlighting the strategic nature of the deal rather than its monetary aspects.

Udacity’s innovative approach to education, which combines the flexibility of online learning with the impact of human instruction, has positioned it as a key player in the tech education sector. With a team of over 230 professionals, Udacity will be integrated into Accenture LearnVantage, further strengthening Accenture’s offerings in technology training services. This acquisition will bring Udacity’s proprietary content, expert services, and scalable learning technology into Accenture’s fold, enhancing the bridge between online education and workplace relevance.

Since its inception in 2011, Udacity has transitioned from a consumer-focused entity to a talent transformation platform, emphasizing AI and tech career development. It boasts a network of over 1,400 experts and a comprehensive library of content co-created with industry leaders. Udacity has registered more than 21 million learners from 195 countries, offering courses in multiple languages such as English, Arabic, Korean, and Spanish. Its unique approach combines high-quality content with ‘human in the loop’ learning and an outcome-focused methodology.

Kishore Durg, global lead of Accenture LearnVantage, remarked on the significance of the acquisition in the era of generative AI and the increasing need for cloud, data, and AI training. “The addition of Udacity to Accenture LearnVantage will enable us to bring Accenture’s deep capabilities as a world-class learning organization to clients at scale, helping them build the skills of their people to achieve greater business value,” said Durg.

Kai Roemmelt, CEO of Udacity, expressed enthusiasm about joining forces with Accenture. “Together, we are dedicated to delivering impactful and cutting-edge tech education that enables individuals and organizations to unlock their potential,” Roemmelt stated. He highlighted the synergy between Udacity’s educational mission and Accenture’s global expertise and reach as a means to amplify their impact on learners and empower millions in the digital economy.

The acquisition of Udacity by Accenture represents a significant step forward in addressing the growing need for tech education and skills development. Through the integration of Udacity into Accenture LearnVantage, Accenture aims to provide clients with unparalleled learning solutions that drive business value and support workforce transformation in the digital age.