LinkedIn To Acquire Lynda.com; Cash & Stock Deal Valued At Approx. $1.5 Bln

(RTTNews) - LinkedIn (LNKD), the world's largest professional network on the Internet, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire lynda.com, a leading online learning company. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.5 billion, subject to adjustment, in a combination of approximately 52 percent cash and approximately 48 percent stock.

lynda.com helps anyone learn business, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. The company is headquartered in Carpinteria, California with offices in San Francisco, London, Sydney and Graz and is funded in part by Accel Partners, Spectrum Equity, TPG Capital and Meritech Capital Partners.

Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, stated: "The mission of LinkedIn and the mission of lynda.com are highly aligned. Both companies seek to help professionals be better at what they do. lynda.com's extensive library of premium video content helps empower people to develop the skills needed to accelerate their careers."

Following closing, most members of the lynda.com team are expected to join LinkedIn.