Blackstone has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Bengaluru-based edtech startup Simplilearn for $250 million, aiming to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for digital skills in the post-pandemic education landscape.

Target Information

Blackstone, a company listed on the NYSE, has finalized a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Bengaluru-based edtech startup Simplilearn. The transaction is estimated to be valued at $250 million. Founded in 2010 by Krishna Kumar, Simplilearn has achieved profitability for four consecutive years and has established itself as a prominent player in the digital skills training sector.

Simplilearn provides over 100 programs designed for early to mid-career professionals seeking to enhance their skill sets in various domains such as Cloud Computing, DevOps, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Digital Marketing, and Cyber Security, among others. The CEO of Simplilearn, Krishna Kumar, emphasized that the demand for digital skills has been significantly heightened by the pandemic, making this an opportune moment for the company to expand its operations.

Industry Overview

The edtech industry in India has experienced rapid growth, propelled by increasing internet penetration, the proliferation of smartphones, and the rising demand for skills relevant to a digital economy