2U, Inc.

2U, Inc.
Alyssalmo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	2U, Inc.
Type	Public
Traded as	NASDAQ: TWOU
Industry	Education technology
Founded	2008
Founder	John Katzman, Gene Sperling
Headquarters	Lanham, Maryland

2U, Inc. is a leading education technology company that partners with top universities such as University of California, Berkeley, University of Southern California, and Georgetown University to offer online degree programs. The company was founded in 2008 by John Katzman and Gene Sperling, with the goal of increasing access to high-quality higher education through online learning platforms. 2U, Inc. has collaborated with renowned institutions like University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Harvard University to develop innovative online programs. The company's efforts have been recognized by Bloomberg, Forbes, and The New York Times.

● History

2U, Inc. was founded in 2008 by John Katzman and Gene Sperling, with the initial goal of partnering with top universities to offer online degree programs. The company's early partners included Washington University in St. Louis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Southern California. In 2014, 2U, Inc. went public with an initial public offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ stock exchange, with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch serving as underwriters. The company has since expanded its partnerships to include institutions like University of London, University of Edinburgh, and Australian National University. 2U, Inc. has also worked with organizations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and National Science Foundation to promote online education.

● Products and Services

2U, Inc. offers a range of products and services, including online degree programs, graduate programs, and professional certificates. The company's online programs are designed in partnership with top universities like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Carnegie Mellon University. 2U, Inc.'s services include program development, marketing, and student support, with the goal of providing a high-quality online learning experience. The company has also developed a range of technology platforms, including learning management systems and student information systems, to support its online programs. 2U, Inc. has collaborated with companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle Corporation to develop innovative education technology solutions.

● Acquisitions and Partnerships

2U, Inc. has made several acquisitions and partnerships in recent years, including the acquisition of GetSmarter, a South Africa-based online education company, and Trilogy Education, a New York City-based education technology company. The company has also partnered with institutions like University of Michigan, University of Texas at Austin, and Georgia Institute of Technology to offer online degree programs. 2U, Inc. has worked with organizations like World Bank, United Nations, and European Union to promote online education and economic development. The company has also collaborated with companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook to develop innovative education technology solutions.

● Financials and Performance

2U, Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, with a market capitalization of over $1 billion. The company's revenue has grown rapidly in recent years, with annual revenue exceeding $500 million. 2U, Inc. has reported strong financial performance, with gross margin exceeding 40% and operating income exceeding $50 million. The company's financial performance has been recognized by Fortune, Bloomberg, and Forbes, which have named 2U, Inc. one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. 2U, Inc. has also been recognized by Deloitte, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers for its financial performance and governance.

● Criticisms and Controversies

2U, Inc. has faced criticism and controversy in recent years, including concerns about the company's business model and its impact on higher education. Some critics have argued that 2U, Inc.'s focus on online learning could lead to a decline in the quality of education, while others have raised concerns about the company's marketing practices and its treatment of students. 2U, Inc. has also faced criticism from unions and faculty groups, which have raised concerns about the company's impact on academic labor and faculty governance. The company has responded to these criticisms by emphasizing its commitment to quality education and its efforts to promote access and affordability in higher education. 2U, Inc. has also worked with organizations like American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and American Association of University Professors to address concerns about academic labor and faculty governance.

● Corporate Affairs

2U, Inc. is headquartered in Lanham, Maryland, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and London. The company's leadership team includes Christopher Paucek, James Kenigsberg, and David Sutphen, who have experience in education, technology, and finance. 2U, Inc. has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, with a focus on philanthropy and community engagement. The company has partnered with organizations like Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity to promote education and economic development. 2U, Inc. has also been recognized by Fortune, Forbes, and Bloomberg for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company has worked with organizations like National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Human Rights Campaign, and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Category:Education technology companies