LinkedIn is planning to acquire online learning company lynda.com for $1.5 billion, in a reported attempt to help professionals accelerate their careers through learning and skill development.
Lynda.com teaches users business, technology and creative skills through an extensive library of premium video content, which is offered in multiple languages.
By subscribing to lynda.com’s service users can also get access to top quality courses that are taught by experts.
The company also offers lyndaEnterprise, lyndaPro, lyndaCampus, lyndaLibrary and lyndaKiosk products.
LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner said: "The mission of LinkedIn and the mission of lynda.com are highly aligned. Both companies seek to help professionals be better at what they do.
"lynda.com’s extensive library of premium video content helps empower people to develop the skills needed to accelerate their careers.
"When integrated with the hundreds of millions of members and millions of jobs on LinkedIn, lynda.com can change the way in which people connect to opportunity."
lynda.com CEO Eric Robison added: " In LinkedIn we have found an incredible partner who shares our vision and passion for empowering people around the world to make real change in their lives through access to information, learning and professional development."
LinkedIn said that the transaction will be made through a combination of 52% cash and approximately 48% stock, with the acquisition expected to close by the end of the second quarter this year.
