"We're delighted to announce the opening of our office in Sao Paulo, which reflects our ongoing commitment to growth and expansion in Brazil," said Johnson. "Having a team in Brazil will allow us to better localize our product and expand our course catalog to meet the unique needs of the Brazilian market. We're thrilled to be closer to our students and instructors in this important region and take another step in fulfilling our mission of improving lives through learning."

Economic and workplace trends in Brazil and around the globe are driving strong demand for online learning. Udemy's recent Skills Gap Report found that two-thirds of Brazilians feel personally impacted by a skills gap, and early signs of a post-recession recovery now demand that workers possess the most advanced technology and business skills. The Skills Gap Report also revealed that many Brazilians view online learning as the way to access skills previously out of reach; 64% are turning to online courses to advance their careers.

"The opening of the Udemy office in Brazil is an exciting moment for me, personally and professionally," said Sergio Agudo, Country Manager for Brazil. "After living and working in Silicon Valley for years, it's the perfect moment to come back to Brazil and continue to grow Udemy's impact in my home country. Udemy is committed to ensuring that Brazilians everywhere have access to the skills they need to build their careers and lives."