Funding round
MasterClass Series A
MasterClass, which works in online education services in San Francisco, raised $4.5M in a Series A round announced on 1 Jan 2015, led by Javelin Venture Partners. 7 firms took part. It is MasterClass' second venture round on record; the one before was a Seed in Jan 2014.
$4.5M
Amount raised
Not disclosed
Post-money valuation
7
Investors
1 lead
Valuation
What this round says about the price
MasterClass did not disclose a valuation in this round. It came 12 months after MasterClass' Seed. It is under 1% of the $461M MasterClass has raised in the venture rounds on record. MasterClass raised again 13 months later: a Series B round of $15M in Feb 2016. Its next priced round, a Series E in May 2020, valued it at $800M.
MasterClass' funding rounds
MasterClass has 7 venture rounds on record. This one is highlighted.
- Seed 1 Jan 2014, led by Harrison Metal $1.9M
- Series A this round 1 Jan 2015, led by Javelin Venture Partners $4.5M
- Series B 23 Feb 2016, led by New Enterprise Associates $15M
- Series C 28 Mar 2017, led by Institutional Venture Partners $35M
- Series D 1 Sep 2018, led by Institutional Venture Partners $80M
- Series E 20 May 2020, led by Fidelity Management & Research Company and Fidelity $100M$800M post-money
- Series F 13 May 2021, led by Fidelity Management & Research Company $225M$2.75B post-money
Investors
Who put money in
Javelin Venture Partners led the round with 6 other firms.
Lead investor
- backs 46 venture-backed companies new investor
Also in the round
- backs 33 venture-backed companies new investor
- Bloomberg Beta new investor
- backs 28 venture-backed companies new investor
- WME Entertainment new investor
- Otter Rock Capital new investor
- Foxtelecolombia new investor
Comparable rounds
How it compares
7 Series A rounds in Learning, Tutoring & Courses within a year either side disclosed an amount; the median was $5.8M, and this round was 78% of the median. The closest in time, other companies' Series A rounds in Learning, Tutoring & Courses:
| Company | Announced | Amount | Post-money | Led by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 11 Nov 2014 | $15M | not disclosed | GSV Capital Corp. and IDG Capital |
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 15 Oct 2014 | $9.0M | not disclosed | General Catalyst |
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 27 Apr 2015 | $1.5M | not disclosed | Michael and Susan Dell Foundation |
| Zuoyebang Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 1 Jun 2015 | $25M | not disclosed | HSG and Legend Capital |
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 3 Aug 2015 | $1.1M | not disclosed | Rock Creek Capital |
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 7 Oct 2015 | $3.1M | not disclosed | not named |
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 6 Mar 2014 | $5.8M | not disclosed | not named |
| Learning, Tutoring & Courses | 9 Dec 2015 | undisclosed | not disclosed | Ventura Capital |
Questions
Frequently asked
How much did MasterClass raise in its Series A round?
MasterClass raised $4.5M in its Series A round, announced in Jan 2015.
Who led MasterClass' Series A round?
Javelin Venture Partners led it, with Harrison Metal, Bloomberg Beta, Advancit Capital, WME Entertainment and Otter Rock Capital and 1 more.
What was MasterClass' valuation at the Series A round?
It was not disclosed.
How does it compare with other Series A rounds in Learning, Tutoring & Courses?
7 Series A rounds in Learning, Tutoring & Courses within a year either side disclosed an amount; the median was $5.8M, and this round was 78% of the median.
Did MasterClass raise again after this round?
Yes: a Series B round in Feb 2016 of $15M.