In its 6th acquisition in 18 months, online course provider Pluralsight acquired Code School, an in-browser and often game-centered code learning platform that caters to relative beginners. Code School currently has learning paths for Ruby, Javascript, HTML/CSS, iOS, and Git, as well as electives in R, Google Drive API, and Dev Tools.
The move was introduced on Pluralsight’s blog as a celebration of Code School’s ability to “tap into your childlike curiosity and start [your] learning.” In Techcrunch’s coverage, Pluralsight CEO Aaron Skonnard talked about their new target of reaching developers at every stage of their development. After noting that many of Pluralsight’s customers have been developers for 10-20 years, Skonnard continues “we’re really strong on that end of the spectrum, but what we haven’t been as strong in – because we haven’t focused on it – is the earlier stages of a developer’s career.”
Other recent acquisitions by Pluralsight include the acquisition of Boston-based Smarterer for $75 million, and of Oklahoma City-based Digital-Tutors for $45 million. This has helped to bring Pluralsight’s library of online–largely development, IT, and design related–to close to 4,000 courses. Pluralsight acquired Code School for $36 million.
In recognition of the growing partnership, courses at Code School, Pluralsight, and Digital-tutors will be free for 72 hours beginning on January 26th, 2015.