Simplilearn Acquires US Based Digital Marketing Training Startup Market Motive For $10 Mn

Bangalore-based Simplilearn, a global edtech company has acquired Market Motive, a pioneering Silicon Valley-based digital marketing training company for $10Mn.

Market Motive will continue to operate as an independent arm of Simplilearn with co-founder Michael Stebbins staying on as CEO along with his entire team. Michael will also join Simplilearn as the Chief Innovation Officer and work alongside the company’s Director of U.S operations, Prashant Parmar in strengthening Simplilearn’s presence further in North America.

Market Motive is turning its attention to an expanded presence in the U.S. where it can offer a turnkey solution to working professionals and college graduates who are trying to advance in their careers.

With the acquisition of Market Motive, Simplilearn, will augment its offerings in the booming digital marketing field, where the global digital advertising spend is projected to reach $278Bn in 2019 with courses in Social Media Marketing, Digital Advertising Web Analytics, and Marketing Automation.

With the addition of Market Motive, it has enhanced its course catalogue with analytics, online and digital marketing.

“The digital marketing ecosystem is at the tipping point and this is the right time for us to expand our products 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 online training, which fits strongly with our business strategy.”said Krishna Kumar, Founder & CEO of Simplilearn.

Based in Silicon Valley, Market Motive was co-founded by Michael Stebbins, John Marshall and Avinash Kaushik in 2007. It builds curriculum that trains professionals on digital marketing.The courses and certification provide authoritative cross training in SEO, web analytics, social media marketing, conversion optimization, mobile marketing, PPC advertising, and content marketing.

It has delivered web-based certification programs to Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, Dell, Federal Express and education institutes like Duke University, Benedictine University and Concordia University. Also, Large agencies, media companies, and Fortune 1000 Enterprise customers work with Market Motive for customized team training programs, training their in-house marketing teams, as well as sales teams who sell advertising and marketing services.

Leading corporations have invested in Market Motive certification for their teams including Microsoft, Dell, Ogilvy, Burson Marsteller, Catalyst, Home Depot, Federal Express, JP Morgan Chase, Kaiser Permanente, Marriott, AARP, Gannett Publishing, Fidelity, Harvard Business Review, Yamaha, The American Marketing Association, and many more.

Michael Stebbins, Co-Founder & CEO of Market Motive said, “We look forward to providing an even higher level of service, an ever-expanding list of certifications, and an enhanced customer experience through improved video delivery, user experience, and customer support. As a hiring manager, I see the need for short-term certification to put knowledgeable workers in higher-paying roles. Degree or not, the economic value of these courses is huge and it is rewarding to see lives changed through the training.”

In April 2015, Simplilearn raised $15Mn in Series C funding led by Mayfield, with participation from Kalaari Capital and Helion Venture Partners to expand rapidly in the U.S and other primary markets.

“Digital Marketing is a key growth strategy for most organizations today and is driving the demand for certified professionals across the industry. Short term online courses that position the participant as an expert are the future of professional education,” says Navin Chaddha, Managing Director of Mayfield. “Market Motive adds a fast-growing online marketing training vertical to Simplilearn as they meet a demand for e-learning expected to exceed $169Bn by 2018.”

Bangalore based Simplilearn was launched by Krishna Kumar in 2009. As a destination for certification training courses, Simplilearn caters to professionals across industries and functions. It offers 250+ courses, led by more than 2,000 qualified trainers and has over 40 global accreditations.