*By Madison Alworth* MasterClass has raised an additional $80 million in funding, cementing the online learning platform's mission to make school "excite you again," said the co-founder and CEO. "School often sucked the life out of us," David Rogier said Friday in an interview on Cheddar. The latest round will be used to expand offerings in new categories and improve the student experience everywhere, beyond the U.S. "We're going to launch in other countries, and we're going to launch classes in fields that we are not in yet, like business and politics," Rogier said. MasterClass released its first three classes in 2015 and has since grown to offer 39 classes. Subscribers can take courses led by bestselling author James Patterson, famed journalist Bob Woodward, or chef Gordon Ramsay, among other giants of industry. With its Series D funding, the company hopes to grow to 50 course offerings by the end of the year. When conceiving new classes, Rogier said MasterClass relies on many parties. New instructors are added to the docket after the company polls MasterClass students, employees, and current instructors. And, of course, there are always some teachers that MasterClass is eyeing for its "dream list." "I would love to take a class from Warren Buffett. I would love to take a class from J.K. Rowling," Rogier said. For the CEO, MasterClass would ideally be able to adapt in tandem with digital technology. "The thing that I am most excited about, that we are just beginning to explore, is AR and VR. Imagine if you're going to learn a dance from Usher, how neat would it be to see where to put your feet," he said. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/masterclass-raises-additional-80-million-in-series-d).

Share:
More In Business
Climate Change May Force More Farmers and Ranchers to Consider Irrigation -- at a Steep Cost
Irrigation might have saved Jackson's hay, but she and her husband rejected the idea about 10 years ago over the cost: as much as $75,000 for a new well and all the equipment. But now — with an extended drought and another U.S. heat wave this week that will broil her land about an hour northwest of Dallas for days in 100-degree-plus temperatures — Jackson said she is “kind of rethinking.”
Load More