Udacity, the leading online education provider, a startup, founded in 2012, by former Google executive, Sebastian Thrun recently announced that it has secured additional funding to the tune of $35 Million. The company also announced the launch of its first nanodegree course, in association with AT&T. The funding will be deployed towards realizing the expansion plans with respect to offering path-breaking courses and programs designed to help young professionals develop skills at their own pace and improve career prospects.

The Series C influx of funding will be utilized to entry into new segments other than technology led courses, and designing of more nanodegree programs, that will be created in collaboration with corporate partners who are looking for specific skill sets in future employees. The courses offered by Udacity, are focused on offering college grads a route to improvise and build skills sets which enhances their employability.  The core value proposition of the course and the content is towards offering students an opportunity to fast track their learning or skills without the high expenses towards getting a college degree or the commitment of few years.

The nanodegree program, which is in collaboration with AT&T, includes front and back-end Web development, iOS development and data analysis courses. The degree starts around $1200. The average time taken to complete the course will revolve around 6-12 months only. The programs will be very detailed and focused.

“Udacity has been created with a vision to help young professionals stay ahead by offering programs that have been designed in collaboration of industry majors. Our funding will help us get closer to our vision behind bringing relevant skill development training and education at a fraction of the cost to more people around the globe,” said a company spokesperson on this news.

Udacity has been a trailblazer towards bringing many professionals who wish to be updated with new skills in order to grow faster in their chosen careers. Approximately, 3 million users have signed up to avail for the free courses offered by Udacity since its launch. The additional benefits offered by the company offered to all students includes some premium ones like feedback facility on performance, assist on call, personal mentor on request and course completion certificates. One of the specialized offerings included job placement assistance too, which is a huge factor for signing up for their programs.

On the latest offering; the nanodegree courses, a company spokesperson further added, “We expect more partners to announce similar courses on this subject.  Our average fee is only approximately $200 per month, which makes it possible for multiple levels of people to enroll and be certified in this growing stream with increasing job opportunities,”

One of the unique differentiators of Udacity, unlike other players in this space is that it works with leading corporate that provide the content and offer courses that are focused in training future generation of employees.