Bertelsmann Strengthens Education Business with Acquisition of OnCourse Learning
Bertelsmann continues the expansion of its strategic growth area of education: The international media, services, and education Group is acquiring the U.S. online education provider OnCourse Learning from the private equity company CIP Capital for an amount in the mid-nine-digit euro range. The transaction further strengthens Bertelsmann’s presence in the U.S. Alongside the acquisitions of the Random House book group in 1998, the online education provider Relias in 2014, and the takeover of a 75-percent majority stake in Penguin Random House in 2017, this purchase is one of Bertelsmann’s largest transactions in the American market. The acquisition of OnCourse Learning has not been completed yet, pending approval by the U.S. antitrust authorities and is expected to close this fall. OnCourse Learning was founded in 2007. Based in Brookfield, Wisconsin, the company employs around 375 people and provides digital corporate and advanced training courses for healthcare and financial services clients. It also operates a smaller division serving clients from the real-estate sector. Each year, approximately 750,000 learners and 19,000 B2B customers use OnCourse Learning. The company has an online library of around 22,000 courses. Click Read More below for additional information.