OMERS leading funding round for U.S. online learning company
The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System’s growth equity arm is leading a $66 million Series D funding round for American online learning company Skillshare Inc.
With more than 12 million registered members and 8,000 teachers, the company offers online classes in different creative areas, such as graphic design and photography, through a community-based model.
To date, Skillshare has raised $42 million from a variety of investors that also participated in this round. The current round of funding will primarily go towards creating localized experiences for international students while also expanding domestically and growing the company’s offerings, according to a press release. Further, the funding will create more opportunities for its teachers and assist the company in building out its enterprise offering.
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“As the leading platform for creative skills, Skillshare brings together a truly global community of students and teachers,” said Saar Pikar, managing director at OMERS Growth Equity, in the release. “Skillshare serves the needs of professional creatives and everyday creative hobbyists alike, which presents a highly innovative value proposition for the online learning market.”
Pikar will also be joining Skillshare’s board of directors.