Simplilearn, a Bangalore-based Edu-tech start-up, which provides online certification courses to professionals, has acquired Market motive, a Silicon Valley-based startup, which trains professionals on digital marketing. Market Motive, founded in 2007, is led by Michael Stabbins, John Marshall and Avinash Kaushik.
Simplilearn, which already has its presence in the US, is looking at the prospect of expanding its business further. Michael Stabbins, who would remain the CEO of Market Motive and work alongside as Chief Innovation Officer for Simplilearn. Simplilearn presently caters to professionals and young graduates in 150 countries through its 250 courses offered in various industry verticals. Market Motive boasts to have served fortune 500 companies through its web-based certification Programs.
Market Motive’s courses primarily focus on digital marketing such as SEO, Social media marketing, PPC, web analytics, etc.
Recently, Simplilearn raised $15 million in series C funding from Mayfield, which saw Kalaari capital and Helion Venture partners participating.
On acquiring Market Motive, Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO of Simplilearn says,” The digital marketing is at the tipping point and this is the right time for us to expand in this hot segment. We are impressed with Market Motive’s enriched content and domain expertise backed by industry experts apart from their approach towards which fits strongly with our business strategy.”
“Whether it’s an established organization or a start-up, digital marketing is the need of the hour across every industry vertical to market their product or making one selves known in the market. E-learning demand which is expected to grow more than $169 billion by 2018, if anything, Market Motive working independently would prove to be a huge success for Simplilearn”, said Naveen Chadha,Managing Director, Mayfield Fund.