Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 54
CLOSING
DEALS
$3.8 BILLION ACQUISITION DEMONSTRATES THE
VALUE OF ONLINE TECHNICAL TRAINING IN 2021
BY TARYN OESCH DELONG, CPTM
Last December, Pluralsight announced
that Vista Equity Partners would acquire
it for $3.5 billion - by our calculations,
the largest reported sale of a training
company in industry history (although,
notably, Coursera's recent initial public
offering valued the company at over
$7 billion). In March, the company
announced a revised agreement with an
11% increase over the original agreement:
$22.50 per share instead of $20.26 per
share (about $3.8 billion).
to do with new free time, searched for
eLearning opportunities like the ones
Pluralsight offers through its individual
course offerings. Companies, looking to
pivot from in-person training to remote
learning, searched for partners that
would make it easier for them to do so
through enterprise offerings - again,
positioning Pluralsight to gain even
greater market share.
Pluralsight, which describes itself as a
" technology workforce development
company, " offers technical skills
development
and
engineering
management solutions. The company
has also recently announced a
couple acquisitions of its own:
DevelopIntelligence, provider of skills
consulting and virtual instructorled training (VILT) for information
technology (IT), software development
and engineering teams, and Next Tech,
a cloud-based computing environment
provider that enables the authoring and
hosting of labs for hands-on software
development, data science and machine
learning training.
THE DEMAND FOR
SKILLED SOFTWARE
ENGINEERS CONTINUES
TO OUTSTRIP SUPPLY.
A PERFECT STORM
As a TechCrunch article pointed out,
the demand for skilled technical
professionals was high even before the
pandemic, but the shift of many teams
to remote work last year drove online
learning consumption through the roof.
Individual learners, looking for ways
to boost their careers in a challenging
economy or simply looking for something
| 54
Technical skills gaps, meanwhile,
proved to be even more troublesome in
a remote workplace, where difficulties
with connectivity, remote collaboration
and cybersecurity were exacerbated
by distance and home networks. In fact,
Training Industry research found that
the technology industry increased its
use of virtual instructor-led training from
29% to 39% and self-paced eLearning
from 29% to 34% of their training after
the start of the pandemic.
" We have seen firsthand that the
demand for skilled software engineers
continues to outstrip supply, and we
expect this trend to persist as we move
into a hybrid online-offline world across
all industries and interactions, " said
Monti Saroya, co-head of the Vista
Flagship Fund and senior managing
director at Vista, in the initial press
release announcing the acquisition.
WHY SO MUCH?
With a 2020 revenue of just $391.9
million, why did Vista Equity Partners
invest so much in Pluralsight? Ken
Taylor, president of Training Industry,
Inc., believes it's because Pluralsight
has the potential to be " more than just
a collection of courses " and to become
a " delivery platform. " The company
grew by 24% last year, so Vista Equity
Partners is " paying a high multiple for
a high growth rate company " that it
likely believes will enter more markets,
he says. Plus, $391.9 million is nothing
to sneeze at in the training industry,
particularly in such a niche market.
" Pluralsight has good margins because
they primarily sell digital learning, "
Taylor adds, though with a cautionary
note:
Skillsoft,
another
online
learning company, filed for Chapter
11 bankruptcy last year before being
acquired by Churchill Capital Corp II
and merged with IT training company
Global Knowledge. What's to stop
the same thing from happening to
Pluralsight? " Why won't the cost of
maintaining the catalog become so big
and so unruly and so difficult to manage
that they end up with the same kind
of problems? "
Taylor points out that we'll have to wait
to find out, but with the future of learning
shifting ever more toward digital,
Pluralsight seems to be well aligned with
what's to come.
Taryn Oesch is the managing editor of
digital content at Training Industry, Inc.
Email Taryn.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/10/2173149/0/en/Pluralsight-Announces-Fourth-Quarter-2020-Results.html
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/02/10/2173149/0/en/Pluralsight-Announces-Fourth-Quarter-2020-Results.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2021/04/01/online-education-provider-coursera-is-worth-7-billion-after-going-public/?sh=661c1c9c15ec
https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2021/04/01/online-education-provider-coursera-is-worth-7-billion-after-going-public/?sh=661c1c9c15ec
https://www.trainingindustry.com/press-release/it-and-technical-training/pluralsight-acquires-developintelligence-to-broaden-upskilling-experiences-for-enterprises-and-enable-businesses-to-accelerate-digital-transformation/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/press-release/e-learning/skillsoft-enters-into-agreement-with-lenders-to-significantly-reduce-debt-and-position-company-for-long-term-success/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/press-release/e-learning/skillsoft-enters-into-agreement-with-lenders-to-significantly-reduce-debt-and-position-company-for-long-term-success/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/press-release/it-and-technical-training/pluralsight-acquires-next-tech-to-accelerate-skills-development-through-hands-on-experiences/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine/nov-dec-2020/skillsoft-and-global-knowledge-consolidate-creating-a-multimodal-training-giant/
https://store.trainingindustry.com/products/training-in-the-time-of-covid-how-learning-and-develpment-is-responding
https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine/nov-dec-2020/skillsoft-and-global-knowledge-consolidate-creating-a-multimodal-training-giant/
https://www.techcrunch.com/2020/12/14/vista-acquires-it-education-platform-pluralsight-for-3-5b/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine/jan-feb-2021/remote-work-accelerates-elearning-trends-and-funding/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine/jan-feb-2021/remote-work-accelerates-elearning-trends-and-funding/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/press-release/it-and-technical-training/pluralsight-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-vista-equity-partners-for-3-5-billion/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/press-release/it-and-technical-training/pluralsight-enters-into-definitive-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-vista-equity-partners-for-3-5-billion/
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021
Closing the Skills Gap
Table of Contents
Changes to IT Training to Acquire Skills for Working Remotely
Upskilling and Reskilling is the Future of L&D
Embracing the Vulnerabilities Associated with Learning Something New
Cultural Competence: An Essential Skill for Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion
Adapting to the New Normal: Upskilling and Reskilling
Finding Value in Pre-assessments
Right People, Wrong Skills: Turn Talent You Have Into Talent You Need
Putting Continuous Learning Into Practice
Make 2021 the Year You Upskill Your People
How to Future-proof Your Workforce: Understanding the Past to Move Forward
Building Organizational Resilience with a Highly Skilled Learner Ecosystem
The New Learning Era: Knowledge For Growth
eNewHires: Onboarding Millennials and Generation Z
Putting Together the Development Puzzle
Closing the Skills Gap: Why Mindset Matters
Embracing a Culture of Self-Directed Learning
$3.8 Billion Acquisition Demonstrates the Value of Online Technical Training in 2021
Company News
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Intro
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 1
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 2
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - CT1
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - CT2
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Closing the Skills Gap
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 4
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 5
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Table of Contents
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 7
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 8
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Changes to IT Training to Acquire Skills for Working Remotely
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 10
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Upskilling and Reskilling is the Future of L&D
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 12
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Embracing the Vulnerabilities Associated with Learning Something New
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 14
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Cultural Competence: An Essential Skill for Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Adapting to the New Normal: Upskilling and Reskilling
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 17
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 18
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 19
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 20
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Finding Value in Pre-assessments
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 22
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 23
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Right People, Wrong Skills: Turn Talent You Have Into Talent You Need
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 25
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 26
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 27
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Putting Continuous Learning Into Practice
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 29
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 30
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 31
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Make 2021 the Year You Upskill Your People
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 33
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 34
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 35
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - How to Future-proof Your Workforce: Understanding the Past to Move Forward
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 37
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Building Organizational Resilience with a Highly Skilled Learner Ecosystem
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 39
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 40
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 41
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - The New Learning Era: Knowledge For Growth
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 43
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 44
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 45
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - eNewHires: Onboarding Millennials and Generation Z
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 47
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 48
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Putting Together the Development Puzzle
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 50
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Closing the Skills Gap: Why Mindset Matters
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 52
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Embracing a Culture of Self-Directed Learning
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - $3.8 Billion Acquisition Demonstrates the Value of Online Technical Training in 2021
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - Company News
Training Industry Magazine - May/June 2021 - 56
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_summer2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_spring2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_winter2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_fall2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_summer2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_spring2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_winter2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_fall2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_summer2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_spring2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_winter2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20171112_se
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016sales
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015outsourcing
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015leadership
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2015winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2012winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2011winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2009winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2008fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2008summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trainingindustry/tiq_2008spring
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com