Seattle-based online learning company CreativeLive has acquired the website and content of Wildist, which specializes in outdoor and adventure photography instruction.
The acquisition, announced Wednesday, will not add any new employees to CreativeLive, according to CreativeLive founder and CEO Chase Jarvis, as the company is just acquiring the Wildist platform. The companies aren't disclosing the financial terms of the deal, but Jarvis said it was an all-cash deal.
"I believe that it's pretty unequivocal that we already are the best in the world in online learning for photography. There's not anyone else who comes close to the talent and volume that we have," Jarvis said. "This just further solidifies us as the best in the world."
Wildist was founded in 2018 by Alex Strohl and Laura Schmalstieg. Both have their own interests and are not joining CreativeLive, according to Jarvis, but Strohl will make new content for CreativeLive later this year. Jarvis added that the Wildist brand will fold into CreativeLive, and its website will redirect to CreativeLive.
In addition to adding more photography courses to CreativeLive's platform, the acquisition gives Wildist customers access to more content through CreativeLive, Jarvis said. Wildist offers workshops on subjects like aerial and commercial photography.
CreativeLive, founded in 2010, offers online courses in crafts like user experience design, web design, calligraphy and videography. According to the company, it has more than 2,000 classes and has reached more than 10 million customers.
In October, CreativeLive was acquired by Tel Aviv-based Fiverr, a publicly traded company that connects businesses with freelancers. Fiverr had already been experimenting with on-demand web courses before the acquisition.
Jarvis said CreativeLive has about 35 employees, including about 20 in the Seattle area. He added that the company has some employees in the Bay Area and a handful of satellite employees.
CreativeLive has office space overlooking Gas Works Park. Although the company is growing, Jarvis said it doesn't have immediate plans to add office space but might have to do so eventually if CreativeLive continues to hire.
"We're dramatically increasing our investment in content over the course of the next foreseeable future," Jarvis said.
