When did MasterClass officially launch?
MasterClass officially launched on the 12th of May 2015. The website began operations under the name MasterClass after the company was originally named Yanka Industries by co-founder David Rogier.
Questions about MasterClass
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded MasterClass and when did the co-founder leave?
David Rogier conceived the idea for MasterClass while a student at Stanford University and recruited Aaron Rasmussen as co-founder and chief technology officer. Rasmussen served as creative director before departing the company in January 2017.
How much funding did MasterClass raise by May 2021?
MasterClass received $225 million in a Series F funding round in May 2021. This round gave the company a valuation of $2.75 billion according to CNBC reporting and brought total funding to approximately $240 million.
What happened to the Kevin Spacey class on MasterClass?
An acting class given by Kevin Spacey was removed from the platform in late 2017 following multiple sexual assault allegations made against the actor. This incident highlighted the risks of relying on celebrity instructors and forced the company to navigate ethical standards.
Which awards has MasterClass won since 2019?
MasterClass won a James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award in 2019 for Dominique Ansel's class on French pastries. The company also won multiple Webby Awards in 2020 and 2021 for categories including Education and Reference and Media Streaming.