Sequoia-backed upskilling firm Scaler acquires Indian online learning platform

Scaler, an India-based upskilling platform, said it has acquired online learning platform Coding Elements in an all-cash deal. However, the companies did not disclose the deal value.

Photo credit: Scaler

Scaler said it has set aside a dedicated fund of 50 crore rupees (US$6.8 million) to explore other avenues for mergers and acquisitions.

“This acquisition will enable us to further strengthen our upskilling platform by expanding our course offerings beyond core software engineering,” said Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler. As part of the deal, Coding Elements CEO Mudit Goel will lead Scaler’s product and strategy team.

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In Goel’s new role, he will be responsible for building the combined entity’s data science and machine learning vertical, and also developing the firm’s relationship with industry partners.

Founded in 2017, Coding Elements provides users with tech skills in areas such as data science, machine learning, and full-stack web and mobile-app development. It also offered coding courses for kids to assess live class formats and opportunities in international markets.

Coding Elements has engaged over 4,000 students through in-person classroom courses before going entirely online in 2020. Meanwhile, Scaler has onboarded over 500 employees and more than 1,000 teaching assistants on its platform.

In January 2020, Scaler raised US$20 million in its series A funding round led by investors including Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global, and Rocket Internet.

Currency converted from Indian rupees to US dollar: US$1 = 73.29 rupees.