Learning platform Udacity to expand India operations

Learning platform Udacity is expanding its 40 member team at New Delhi office as part of its 2020 expansion plans.

California, US-based Udacity, a $1 billion startup, is popular for its “nanodegrees”, which it provides in a range of topics from artificial intelligence to deep technology and digital marketing.

Gabriel Dalporto, the company CEO, expects a strong growth trajectory in India in 2020. 

“India is fast rising as a prominent digital-first economy. As a result of this rapid digitisation across industries, there is a surging demand for new-age professionals adept in advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, automation, deep learning, data analytics,” Gabriel Dalporto, CEO, Udacity said in a statement. 

The learning platform serves 11.5 million students around the globe, including over 60 enterprise clients. Currently, more than 1 in 10 Udacity students are from India.

 “We are registering a growing interest of learners – students as well as working professionals – in our cutting-edge Nanodegree programs,” Lalit Singh, COO – Udacity said.

Founded in 2011, Udacity earned the unicorn status in 2015, after raising a $105 million Series D round of funding led by media firm Bertelsmann. The company performed well until about 2018 when its growth slowed. The slump was attributed to a lack of popular nanodegrees that year. 

In April 2019, the company laid off 20% of its workforce and restructured its business operations to lower costs, according to media reports.