>Funding & valuation snapshots
>May 2021 — Series F, $225M (led by Fidelity). Multiple outlets reported this round; Axios said the pre-money valuation was about $2.5B, which implies ~$2.7–$2.8B post-money.
>That same round was widely summarized as ~$2.75B valuation (CNBC via Wikipedia’s round-up; CNBC’s figure is often quoted in trade press).
>Wikipedia
>May 2020 — Series E, $100M (also led by Fidelity). TechCrunch covered the investor mix (Fidelity, Owl Ventures, 01 Advisors, NEA, IVP, Atomico, etc.). Total funding at the time hit ~$240M.
>TechCrunch
>Earlier context: In 2020, Bloomberg reported MasterClass was seeking capital at a valuation of ~$800M, which helps explain the jump to the 2021 multi-billion valuation during the pandemic ed-tech surge.
>Bloomberg
>Who invested in the big 2021 round?
>Alongside Fidelity, reporting listed Baillie Gifford, Balyasny, Eldridge and existing backers (IVP, NEA, Owl Ventures, Javelin, 01 Advisors, Atomico, NewView Capital, etc.). This is compiled in post-round coverage.
>Pulse 2.0
>Executives’ personal investments
>There’s no reliable public record that MasterClass executives (e.g., the CEO) disclosed material personal investments into corporate rounds. Founders typically hold equity; outside rounds are led by institutions. If an exec invests personally, it’s rarely itemized in press or filings for a private company.
>Partnerships & “social media” tie-ups
>MasterClass markets primarily via celebrity-led courses and brand promotions, but deal terms aren’t public. Press occasionally notes that instructors receive an upfront payment plus a revenue share, but precise percentages are not disclosed by the company and vary by talent. (Trade press discusses this model at a high level, not with hard numbers.)