15 Largest Privately Owned Edtech Companies in the World (2026 Update)
The education sector continues to evolve as it increasingly integrates with technology. With the rise of online learning, mobile applications, and alternative education models, traditional higher education is becoming less accessible for many. This transformation has established the education technology (edtech) industry as a significant market, providing innovative tools to support learning for schools, businesses, and individuals alike.
In this article, we present the top 15 privately owned edtech companies worldwide, ranked by their valuation in 2026.
15 Largest Privately Owned EdTech Companies in the World
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Yuanfudao. Beijing, China
Valuation: $15.5 billion
Founded in 2012, Yuanfudao originated as a homework tutoring app and has since broadened its offerings to include live tutoring, online Q&A sessions, and math problem checking services. The company employs around 30,000 staff across China and collaborates with top universities to leverage artificial intelligence in tracking student progress.
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BYJU’S. Bengaluru, India
Valuation: $12.0 billion
BYJU’S is dedicated to creating engaging educational apps and programs for students from grades 4-12. Its flagship app covers essential subjects and features live lessons from leading educators. The recent partnership with Disney enhances its appeal for younger students by integrating popular characters and stories.
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Zuoyebang. Beijing, China
Valuation: $10.0 billion
Known for its user-friendly homework assistance, Zuoyebang started as a photo search app for students. Since its 2015 spin-off from Baidu, it has evolved to provide AI-driven homework help and live streaming classes for K-12 students.
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VIPKid. Beijing, China
Valuation: $4.5 billion
Established in 2013, VIPKid connects children in China with native English-speaking instructors from the U.S. and Canada. Teachers set their schedules, allowing for flexible work. The company also offers Lingo Bus, an app for younger students to learn Mandarin. VIPKid has expanded its global presence with offices in San Francisco and launched its subsidiary, Dami Online School.
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Udemy. San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Valuation: $3.3 billion
Founded in 2010, Udemy is a leading MOOC platform offering over 150,000 courses in various subjects. Users can enroll in courses or create their own. It emphasizes professional skills development and offers corporate training solutions. The platform’s user base is predominantly international, highlighting its global reach.
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Coursera. Mountain View, California, U.S.A.
Valuation: $2.5 billion
Coursera collaborates with universities to offer online courses, certificates, and degree programs. With 77 million users globally, its platforms serve numerous educational institutions and businesses, including many Fortune 500 companies, providing tailored training solutions.
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Duolingo. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Valuation: $2.4 billion
Duolingo offers free language education in over 30 languages through its engaging platform. With more than 300 million users globally, it combines implicit and explicit learning techniques and conducts research to enhance educational methodologies.
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Unacademy. Bengaluru, India
Valuation: $2.0 billion
As India’s largest online learning platform, Unacademy supports over 50 million learners with a focus on professional and educational entrance exam preparation. Founded in 2015, it offers live classes, quizzes, and recorded lectures, enhancing accessibility for students.
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Zhangmen. Shanghai, China
Valuation: $2.0 billion
An online tutoring platform launched in 2015, Zhangmen caters to K-12 students in China. With over 40 million users, it has grown rapidly to become a leading online education provider, offering a variety of courses alongside tutoring services.
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ApplyBoard. Ontario, Canada
Valuation: $1.4 billion
ApplyBoard specializes in connecting students with educational institutions for studying abroad, partnering with over 1,200 schools worldwide. The company has expanded its reach to include students from diverse countries, enhancing global educational access.
Founded in 2015, ApplyBoard has grown to over 550 employees and was recognized as Canada’s fastest-growing tech company in 2019.
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Course Hero. Redwood City, California, U.S.A.
Valuation: $1.1 billion
Established in 2006, Course Hero provides resources for students, including live homework help and study materials. With over 10 million users, the platform offers subscriptions for enhanced access and allows experts to become remote tutors.
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Quizlet. San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Valuation: $1.0 billion
As a popular study platform launched in 2005, Quizlet allows students to create flashcards and study materials while enabling interactive learning through games and tests. With over 50 million monthly users in 130 countries, it has become a staple among students.
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Guild Education. Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Valuation: $1.0 billion
Founded in 2015, Guild Education supports adults in obtaining their high school diplomas and college degrees through employer-sponsored tuition benefits. The platform connects 10,000 employees monthly with educational opportunities, collaborating with various universities to facilitate access.
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Knowbox. Beijing, China
Valuation: $1.0 billion
Established in 2014, Knowbox provides educational management tools for schools, facilitating homework assignment management for teachers and students. The company is expanding into AI-based learning solutions to enhance the educational experience.
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Udacity. Mountain View, California, U.S.A.
Valuation: $1.1 billion
Founded in 2011, Udacity specializes in training adults in high-demand tech skills through its online programs, covering data science, programming, AI, and more. Organizations can partner with Udacity for employee training, contributing to a workforce ready for the future.
As the edtech industry continues to expand, these companies are at the forefront of innovating educational practices and making learning more accessible worldwide. Their growth reflects a shift in how education is delivered and experienced, paving the way for a more interconnected and technology-driven future.
Author
Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.
