Coursera, Inc., a prominent online learning platform, is primarily owned by its shareholders. As a publicly traded company, its ownership is distributed among individuals, institutional investors, and other entities who hold shares of its stock.
Understanding Corporate Ownership
Unlike a privately held business or a sole proprietorship, a corporation like Coursera, Inc. has a distinct legal identity separate from its founders or management. When a company goes public, its ownership is fractionalized into shares, which are then bought and sold on stock exchanges.
- Shareholders: These are the individuals and institutions (e.g., mutual funds, pension funds, hedge funds) who purchase the company's stock. Each share represents a small fraction of ownership in the company. Shareholders have voting rights on certain company matters, typically proportional to the number of shares they own.
- Founders' Role: While Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, computer science professors from Stanford University, founded Coursera in 2012, their role transitioned from sole owners to significant shareholders and leaders of the company. Their initial ownership stake would have diluted as the company raised capital through various funding rounds and ultimately went public.
The Genesis of Coursera
Coursera was established with a vision to provide universal access to world-class education. Since its founding in 2012, it has grown significantly, partnering with numerous universities and organizations globally.
Key Facts About Coursera, Inc.:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Coursera, Inc. |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, California, U.S. |
| Primary Function | Offers online courses, certifications, and degrees in various subjects. |
| Ownership Structure | Publicly traded company |
| Stock Exchange | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) |
| Ticker Symbol | COUR |
Coursera works collaboratively with educational institutions and other entities to deliver a wide array of online learning opportunities. Its business model involves offering these online courses, certifications, and even full degrees, making high-quality education more accessible worldwide.
