Online training platform Simplilearn raises funding from IndoUS Venture Partners

Simplilearn.com, an online education and training destination for professional certification courses, has raised an undisclosed amount from IndoUS Venture Partners (IUVP). The online venture is owned and operated by Bangalore-based Simplilearn Solutions Pvt Ltd. As part of the deal, IUVP managing director Rajesh Raju has joined the board of the company.

Currently, the company offers 50 certification courses in project management, IT services and IT security management, quality management, financial management and technology certification.

The money raised will be utilised to expand its current portfolio of certification courses and to make foray into new geographies. The company also aims to double its workforce.

Launched in 2009, Simplilearn was founded by Krishna Kumar, a BE in Electronics & Communication from the National Institute of Technology (Karnataka). Prior to this venture, Kumar had worked with Infosys and TechUnified

Post-funding, the company plans to expand its course portfolio to 100 courses by the end of FY2012-13. It also claims to have trained over 35,000 aspirants across 135 countries, including those from the world's leading Fortune 500 companies.

Krishna Kumar, CEO and founder of Simplilearn, said in a statement, "Although we are growing profitably, we have opted for the IUVP funding primarily because of its reputation of working closely with entrepreneurs and helping them build strong, scalable companies. We believe our partnership with IUVP will help us achieve our mission to become the largest online destination for professional certification courses accepted globally."

Commenting on the Simplilearn investment, Raju of IUVP said, "We believe Simplilearn provides a unique combination of a proven and effective classroom training model and a highly scalable online education delivery model. In addition, the company's sales, marketing and support activities are done purely online, making it a highly economical and scalable model."

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)