Total amount raised
$236.4 Millions
Latest funding date
May, 2020
Location
MasterClass has successfully raised significant funding over multiple rounds, attracting a diverse group of investors. The platform offers a wide range of video-based vocational courses taught by experts in various fields.
Keep reading to explore the intricacies of MasterClass's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative platform.
What Is MasterClass?
MasterClass, founded in 2012 by Aaron Rasmussen and David Rogier, is an online education platform based in San Francisco, California. The platform offers a wide range of video-based vocational courses taught by experts in various fields.
With a team of 101-250 employees, MasterClass provides unlimited access to thousands of bite-sized lessons across subjects like arts, business, design, sports, and more. The goal is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, regardless of their location.
MasterClass continues to innovate in the online learning space, attracting a diverse group of learners and investors alike. The platform's unique approach to education has set it apart in a crowded market.
How Much Funding Has MasterClass Raised?
- Seed Round
- Amount Raised: $1.9M
- Date: February 2013
- Lead Investors: Harrison Metal
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To develop the initial platform and launch the first set of courses.
- Series A
- Amount Raised: $4.5M
- Date: January 2015
- Lead Investors: Javelin Venture Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand the course offerings and scale the platform.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: $15M
- Date: February 2016
- Lead Investors: New Enterprise Associates
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance the user experience and increase marketing efforts.
- Series C
- Amount Raised: $35M
- Date: March 2017
- Lead Investors: IVP
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To further expand the course library and improve technology infrastructure.
- Venture Round
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: June 2018
- Lead Investors: Akkadian Ventures
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support ongoing growth and operational needs.
- Series D
- Amount Raised: $80M
- Date: September 2018
- Lead Investors: IVP
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand internationally and increase content production.
- Series E
- Amount Raised: $100M
- Date: May 2020
- Lead Investors: Fidelity
- Valuation at Round: $800M
- Motivation Behind the Round: To create new classes, enhance member experience, and expand internationally.
- Series F
- Amount Raised: $225M
- Date: April 2021
- Lead Investors: Fidelity
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To scale operations and invest in new technologies.
- Secondary Market
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: May 2021
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To provide liquidity for early investors and employees.
- Secondary Market
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: July 2021
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To provide additional liquidity for stakeholders.
Total Amount Raised: $461.4M. Current Valuation: Not publicly disclosed.
Key Investors
- Fidelity Management & Research Company
- Details: Fidelity is a leading financial services corporation known for its mutual funds and investment management. It provides a wide range of financial services including retirement planning, wealth management, and brokerage services.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, consumer sectors.
- Notable Investments: Uber, Airbnb, SpaceX.
- Owl Ventures
- Details: Owl Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on education technology companies. It aims to support innovative solutions that enhance learning and educational outcomes.
- Investment Focus Areas: Education technology.
- Notable Investments: Byju's, Quizlet, DreamBox Learning.
- 01 Advisors
- Details: 01 Advisors is a venture capital firm founded by former Twitter executives. The firm focuses on providing strategic guidance and growth support to technology startups.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology startups, social media, digital platforms.
- Notable Investments: Bird, Ro, Bolt.
- New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
- Details: NEA is a global venture capital firm investing in technology and healthcare. It has a long history of supporting innovative companies from early stages to growth.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare.
- Notable Investments: Coursera, Robinhood, 23andMe.
- IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)
- Details: IVP is a later-stage venture capital firm that focuses on high-growth technology companies. It provides capital and strategic support to help companies scale.
- Investment Focus Areas: Later-stage technology companies.
- Notable Investments: Slack, Snap, Twitter.
What's Next for MasterClass?
MasterClass stands at the cusp of significant growth opportunities, driven by the increasing demand for online education and the unique appeal of celebrity-led content. The platform's plans to expand its course offerings, experiment with new formats like augmented reality, and enhance the member experience position it well to capture a larger market share. The recent $100 million Series E funding round underscores the potential for further investment as the company scales its operations and explores international markets.
However, MasterClass faces challenges in maintaining the quality of its content while scaling and competing with other online education platforms. The need to continuously innovate and adapt to different international markets will be crucial for sustained growth. Despite these hurdles, the strong investor confidence and the ongoing shift to remote learning suggest that MasterClass is well-positioned for future success.
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