Coursera, Inc. (COUR): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Information


A Brief History of Coursera

Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with the goal of providing universal access to high-quality education. As of September 30, 2024, Coursera has become one of the largest online learning platforms globally, boasting 162 million registered learners and partnerships with over 350 leading universities and industry organizations.

Financial Performance Overview

In the third quarter of 2024, Coursera reported total revenue of $176.1 million, a 6% increase from $165.5 million in the same period of 2023. The gross profit for this period was $96.2 million, representing 55% of total revenue. The following table summarizes key financial metrics for the third quarter of 2024:

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Total Revenue $176.1 million $165.5 million
Gross Profit $96.2 million $83.3 million
Net Loss $(13.7) million $(32.1) million
Net Loss per Share $(0.09) $(0.21)
Adjusted EBITDA $13.3 million $(5.3) million
Free Cash Flow $16.7 million $13.5 million

Operating Segments

Coursera's revenue is segmented into three main categories: Consumer, Enterprise, and Degrees. In Q3 2024, the following revenue breakdown was reported:

Segment Revenue Growth Rate
Consumer $102.3 million 3%
Enterprise $60.4 million 10%
Degrees $13.4 million 15%

Key Business Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, Coursera reported significant growth in its user base and partnerships, with over 7 million new registered learners added during the quarter, totaling 162 million learners. The company also saw a rise in Paid Enterprise Customers, which reached 1,564, marking a 19% increase year-over-year. The Net Retention Rate for Paid Enterprise Customers stood at 89%.

Recent Developments

In 2024, Coursera introduced several strategic initiatives, including new partnerships with educational institutions and industry leaders such as Adobe, Amazon, and Microsoft. The platform launched over 20 new and upgraded generative AI certificates, responding to the growing demand for skills in technology and data science.

The company also announced plans to reduce overall expenses by approximately $30 million annually, which includes a workforce reduction of about 10% to align its cost structure with growth opportunities.



A Who Owns Coursera, Inc. (COUR)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, Coursera, Inc. (COUR) is publicly traded on the NYSE and has various institutional and individual shareholders. The largest shareholders include:

  • Vanguard Group, Inc. - 8.5% ownership
  • BlackRock, Inc. - 7.3% ownership
  • SSgA Funds Management, Inc. - 5.1% ownership
  • Fidelity Investments - 4.8% ownership
  • Other institutional investors - 30% combined ownership

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership is significant in Coursera, with the following key individuals holding substantial shares:

  • Jeff Maggioncalda (CEO) - 1.2% ownership
  • Andrew Ng (Co-founder) - 0.7% ownership
  • Daphne Koller (Co-founder) - 0.5% ownership

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of October 2024, Coursera's stock price is approximately $12.50 per share, resulting in a market capitalization of approximately $1.5 billion based on approximately 120 million shares outstanding.

Shareholder Composition

Shareholder Type Ownership Percentage
Institutional Investors 55.7%
Insiders 2.4%
Retail Investors 41.9%

Recent Financial Data

In the third quarter of 2024, Coursera reported:

  • Total revenue of $176.1 million, up 6% from $165.5 million in Q3 2023.
  • Net loss of $13.7 million compared to a loss of $32.1 million in the prior year.
  • Net loss per share of $0.09, down from $0.21 year-over-year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $13.3 million, representing 7.6% of revenue.

Future Outlook

For the full year 2024, Coursera anticipates:

  • Total revenue between $690 million and $694 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $36.5 million to $38.5 million.


Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Mission Statement

Coursera, Inc. aims to provide universal access to world-class learning. As of 2024, it has established itself as one of the largest online learning platforms globally, with a mission focused on expanding educational opportunities for learners everywhere.

Mission Statement Overview

Coursera's mission emphasizes making high-quality education accessible to a diverse audience. This is achieved through partnerships with over 350 leading universities and industry partners, which facilitate the offering of a wide range of courses, specializations, professional certificates, and degree programs.

Registered Learners

As of September 30, 2024, Coursera has:

  • Total registered learners: 162 million
  • New registered learners added in Q3 2024: 7 million

Financial Performance Metrics

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Year-over-Year Change
Total Revenue $176.1 million $165.5 million +6%
Gross Profit $96.2 million $83.3 million +15%
Net Loss $(13.7) million $(32.1) million +57% improvement
Net Loss per Share $(0.09) $(0.21) +57% improvement
Adjusted EBITDA $13.3 million $(5.3) million Positive shift

Operating Segments Performance

In Q3 2024, Coursera's revenues were distributed across various segments:

  • Consumer Revenue: $102.3 million (up 3% YoY)
  • Enterprise Revenue: $60.4 million (up 10% YoY)
  • Degrees Revenue: $13.4 million (up 15% YoY)

Partnerships and Content Development

Coursera has continued to expand its offerings through new partnerships and content development. Notable highlights include:

  • Introduced nine new entry-level Professional Certificates from partners including Adobe and IBM.
  • Launched more than 20 new generative AI certificates and specializations.
  • Welcomed ten new educator partners, enhancing the breadth of available courses.

Future Outlook

For the full year 2024, Coursera anticipates:

  • Revenue in the range of $690 million to $694 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $36.5 million to $38.5 million

In addition, Coursera plans to implement cost-saving initiatives expected to generate at least $30 million in annualized savings.

Conclusion

Coursera's commitment to its mission of providing universal access to world-class learning remains clear through its substantial growth in registered learners, partnerships, and financial performance.



How Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Works

Business Model

Coursera, Inc. operates as an online learning platform that partners with over 350 leading universities and industry partners to offer a wide range of educational content. This includes courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and degree programs. The platform serves both individual learners and organizations, providing various subscription models and enterprise solutions.

Financial Performance

As of the third quarter of 2024, Coursera reported the following financial highlights:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Revenue $176.1 million $165.5 million
Gross Profit $96.2 million $83.3 million
Net Loss $(13.7) million $(32.1) million
Net Loss per Share $(0.09) $(0.21)
Non-GAAP Net Income $16.6 million $(2.1) million
Adjusted EBITDA $13.3 million $(5.3) million
Free Cash Flow $16.7 million $13.5 million

Operating Segments

Coursera's revenue is categorized into three main segments: Consumer, Enterprise, and Degrees. As of September 30, 2024, the following details were reported:

Segment Revenue Gross Margin Growth Rate
Consumer $102.3 million 54% 3%
Enterprise $60.4 million 70% 10%
Degrees $13.4 million 100% 15%

User Statistics

As of September 30, 2024, Coursera had a total of 162 million registered learners, having added more than 7 million new registered learners during the third quarter. The platform also reported:

  • Total Paid Enterprise Customers: 1,564 (up 19% year-over-year)
  • Net Retention Rate for Paid Enterprise Customers: 89%
  • Total Degrees Students: 26,400 (up 29% year-over-year)

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Coursera's cash flow metrics for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, include:

Metric Amount
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $76.1 million
Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents $721.7 million

Outlook for 2024

Coursera has provided the following guidance for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024:

  • Fourth Quarter Revenue: $174 million to $178 million
  • Full Year Revenue: $690 million to $694 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA for Full Year: $36.5 million to $38.5 million

Recent Developments

In the third quarter of 2024, Coursera announced the launch of nine new entry-level Professional Certificates and more than 20 new generative AI certificates. Additionally, partnerships were expanded with several organizations, including Aptiv, Antofagasta, and JSW Group.



How Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Coursera, Inc. generates revenue through three primary segments: Consumer, Enterprise, and Degrees.

Consumer Revenue

In Q3 2024, Coursera reported consumer revenue of $102.3 million, which represents a 3% increase from the previous year. The gross margin for this segment was $55.3 million, or 54% of consumer revenue, compared to 52% a year ago. The total number of registered learners reached 162 million during this period, with an addition of over 7 million new learners.

Enterprise Revenue

For Q3 2024, enterprise revenue was $60.4 million, marking a 10% increase year-over-year. The gross margin for the enterprise segment was $42.3 million, representing 70% of enterprise revenue, up from 68% a year prior. The number of paid enterprise customers increased to 1,564, a growth of 19%, with a net retention rate of 89%.

Degrees Revenue

Degrees revenue for Q3 2024 amounted to $13.4 million, a 15% increase compared to the previous year. This segment achieved a gross margin of 100% as there are no content costs associated.

Financial Overview

The total revenue for Coursera in Q3 2024 was $176.1 million, reflecting a 6% increase from $165.5 million in the same quarter of 2023. The gross profit was $96.2 million, or 55% of revenue, compared to 50% a year ago.

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change
Total Revenue $176.1 million $165.5 million +6%
Consumer Revenue $102.3 million $99.3 million +3%
Enterprise Revenue $60.4 million $54.9 million +10%
Degrees Revenue $13.4 million $11.7 million +15%
Gross Profit $96.2 million $83.3 million +15%

Cost Structure

The cost of revenue for Q3 2024 was $79.9 million, resulting in a gross profit margin of 55%. Operating expenses totaled $118 million, which includes:

  • Research and Development: $31.6 million
  • Sales and Marketing: $59 million
  • General and Administrative: $27.4 million

Profitability Metrics

Coursera reported a net loss of $(13.7) million for Q3 2024, equating to a net loss margin of (7.8)%, improved from (19.4)% the previous year. Non-GAAP net income was reported at $16.6 million, or 9.4% of revenue.

Future Outlook and Guidance

For the fourth quarter of 2024, Coursera anticipates revenue in the range of $174 million to $178 million. The full year 2024 revenue is projected to be between $690 million and $694 million.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Coursera, Inc. (COUR)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Coursera, Inc. (COUR)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.