S-3 1 d774522ds3.htm S-3 S-3
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2024

Registration No. 333-   

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

2U, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   26-2335939

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

(301) 892-4350

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Matthew J. Norden

Chief Financial Officer

2U, Inc.

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

Telephone: (301) 892-4350

Fax: (202) 478-1660

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Brandon J. Bortner

Paul Hastings LLP

2050 M Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 551-1720

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Registration Statement on Form S-3 of 2U, Inc. (the “Company”), is being filed in connection with the Company’s transition from its Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-259928), as amended, which was an automatic shelf registration statement, to this Registration Statement because the Company is no longer a well-known seasoned issuer, as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This Registration Statement contains:

 

   

a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of the securities identified below from time to time in one or more offerings, with a total value of up to $100,000,000.

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any other securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in one or more prospectus supplements to the base prospectus.


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 6, 2024

Prospectus

 

LOGO

$100,000,000

2U, INC.

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Rights

Units

 

 

From time to time, we may offer and sell up to $100,000,000 of any debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, and units (collectively, the “securities”) described in this prospectus.

Each time we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.

The securities may be sold directly to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents, underwriters or dealers and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “TWOU”.

On March 1, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $0.433 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and risk factors in our periodic reports and other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission before investing in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is March 6, 2024


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     2  

ABOUT 2U, INC

     4  

RISK FACTORS

     5  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

     7  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     8  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     11  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     13  

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

     14  

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

     15  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     16  

LEGAL MATTERS

     18  

EXPERTS

     19  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     20  

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     21  

 

i


Table of Contents

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration, we may, from time to time, sell a combination of common stock, debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or units described in this prospectus in one or more offerings, up to a total amount of $100,000,000. We may also issue common stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any of the securities mentioned above. The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about us and the securities we may offer under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. You can read that registration statement at the SEC web site at www.sec.gov mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

This prospectus describes the general terms of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement prepared by us or on our behalf may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of the securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus, you should carefully read this document with the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. Together, these documents will give the specific terms of the offered securities. You should also read the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We may also prepare free writing prospectuses that describe particular securities. Any free writing prospectus should also be read in connection with this prospectus and with any prospectus supplement referred to in that free writing prospectus. For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to a prospectus supplement may also refer to a free writing prospectus unless the context requires otherwise.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates.

 

1


Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue” and “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology intended to identify statements about the future. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:

 

 

trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets;

 

 

our ability to maintain minimum Recurring Revenues (as defined by the Second Amended Credit Agreement) or other financial ratios during required periods through the maturity date of our Second Amended Credit Agreement (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023);

 

 

the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies;

 

 

the impact of competition on our industry and innovations by competitors;

 

 

our ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection, artificial intelligence and information security;

 

 

our expectations about the potential benefits of our cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students;

 

 

our dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in our platform;

 

 

our expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of our business model;

 

 

our ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of our offerings;

 

 

our ability to acquire new clients and expand our offerings with existing university clients;

 

 

our ability to successfully integrate the operations of our acquisitions, including the edX Acquisition (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023), to achieve the expected benefits of our acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company;

 

 

our ability to refinance our indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with our focus on profitability;

 

 

our ability to service our substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the Indenture (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023) governing our Convertible Notes (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023) and the Second Amended Credit Agreement governing our Amended Term Loan Facilities (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023);

 

 

our ability to implement our platform strategy and achieve the expected benefits;

 

 

our ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired;

 

 

our ability to execute our growth strategy including expansion internationally and growing our enterprise business;

 

 

our ability to continue to recruit prospective students for our offerings;

 

2


Table of Contents
 

our ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in our degree programs;

 

 

our ability to attract, hire and retain senior management and other key personnel;

 

 

our expectations about the scalability of our platform;

 

 

potential changes in laws, regulations or guidance applicable to us or our university clients;

 

 

our expectations regarding the amount of time our cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund our operations;

 

 

the impact and cost of stockholder activism;

 

 

the potential negative impact of the significant decline in the market price of our common stock, including the impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets;

 

 

the expected impact of our 2022 Strategic Realignment Plan (as defined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023), similar performance improvement initiatives and the estimated savings and amounts expected to be incurred in connection therewith;

 

 

the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic;

 

 

our expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and

 

 

other factors beyond our control.

For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as certain additional risks that we face, investors should review the risks described in this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any free writing prospectus we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering and those incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including those risks detailed under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” under our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and any subsequent reports and registration statements filed from time to time with the SEC.

 

3


Table of Contents

ABOUT 2U, INC.

2U, Inc., which we refer to throughout this prospectus as “we,” “us,” or “2U,” is an online education platform company, with a mission to expand access to high-quality educational opportunities that unlock human potential.

We provide 83 million people worldwide with access to world-class education in partnership with 260 top-ranked global universities and other leading organizations. Through edX, our education consumer marketplace, we offer more than 4,500 high-quality online learning opportunities, including open courses, executive education offerings, boot camps, professional certificates as well as undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Our offerings cover a wide range of topics including artificial intelligence, business, healthcare, education, and social work.

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 and our telephone number at that location is (301) 892-4350.

 

4


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you decide to invest in the securities, you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and any of our subsequent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.” The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face, but those that we consider to be material. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

5


Table of Contents

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering states otherwise, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes.

 

6


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the securities to which this prospectus and any prospectus supplement relates.

Types of Securities

The types of securities that we may offer and sell from time to time by this prospectus are:

 

 

debt securities, which we may issue in one or more series;

 

 

preferred stock, which we may issue in one or more series;

 

 

common stock;

 

 

warrants entitling the holders to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units of two or more of these types of securities;

 

 

Rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or warrants;

 

 

warrants or other rights relating to foreign currency exchange rates; or

 

 

units, each representing a combination of two or more of the foregoing securities.

We will determine when we sell securities, the specific amounts of securities we will sell and the prices and other terms on which we will sell them.

We will describe in a prospectus supplement, which we will deliver with this prospectus, the terms of particular securities that we may offer in the future. Each prospectus supplement will include the following information:

 

 

the type and amount of securities that we propose to sell;

 

 

the initial public offering price of the securities;

 

 

the names of the underwriters or agents, if any, through or to which we or the selling stockholders will sell the securities;

 

 

the compensation, if any, of those underwriters or agents;

 

 

information about securities exchanges or automated quotation systems on which the securities will be listed or traded;

 

 

any material United States federal income tax considerations that apply to the securities; and

 

 

any other material information about the offering and sale of the securities.

 

7


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer unsecured debt securities in one or more series which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible into another security.

The following description briefly sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the following general terms and provisions may apply to those debt securities, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each series of our debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and one or more trustees selected by us.

We have summarized certain general features of the debt securities from the indenture. The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which these general provisions may apply to the debt securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement. You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the provisions of the indenture and indenture supplement, if any, in their entirety before investing in our debt securities.

The aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture is unlimited. The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of that series of debt securities. Authorizing resolutions, a certificate or a supplemental indenture will set forth the specific terms of each series of debt securities. These terms may include, among others, the following:

 

 

the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on the aggregate principal amount;

 

 

whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated;

 

 

any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities;

 

 

the maturity date(s) or method for determining same;

 

 

the interest rate(s) or the method for determining same;

 

 

the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable and whether interest shall be payable in cash, additional securities or some combination thereof;

 

 

whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities and any related terms and conditions;

 

 

redemption or early repayment provisions;

 

 

authorized denominations;

 

 

if other than the principal amount, the principal amount of debt securities payable upon acceleration;

 

 

place(s) where payment of principal and interest may be made, where debt securities may be presented and where notices or demands upon the company may be made;

 

 

whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and the date as of which the securities are dated if other than the date of original issuance;

 

 

whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of such security;

 

 

amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued;

 

 

any additions to or changes in the covenants that apply to such debt securities;

 

8


Table of Contents
 

any additions or changes in the defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

 

the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination and release of the guarantees), if any;

 

 

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable;

 

 

our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;

 

 

any restriction or conditions on the transferability of the debt securities;

 

 

provisions granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon occurrence of specified events;

 

 

additions or changes relating to compensation or reimbursement of the trustee of the series of debt securities;

 

 

additions or changes to the provisions for the defeasance of the debt securities or to provisions related to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

 

provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture and the execution of supplemental indentures for such series; and

 

 

any other terms of the debt securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, but may modify, amend, supplement or delete any of the terms of the indenture with respect to such series of debt securities).

General

We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of any other debt securities of such series or any other series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the indenture.

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. In addition, debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, and the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of U.S. $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the designated corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

9


Table of Contents

Global Securities

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

10


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock is 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value.

As of February 28, 2024, 83,643,757 shares of our common stock were outstanding and no preferred stock was outstanding.

Common Stock

The following description of certain rights of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated by-laws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Please refer to “Where You Can Find More Information” below for directions on obtaining these documents.

Voting Rights. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our stockholders will not have cumulative voting rights. Because of this, the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose.

Dividends. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of legally available funds.

Liquidation. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then-outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences. Holders of common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate in the future.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of common stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the common stock offered through that prospectus supplement.

Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock. The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock on the rights of holders of common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights attached to that preferred stock.

 

11


Table of Contents

We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each particular series of preferred stock. Each prospectus supplement will describe, as to the series of preferred stock to which it relates:

 

 

the title of the series of preferred stock;

 

 

any limit upon the number of shares of the series of preferred stock that may be issued;

 

 

the preference, if any, to which holders of the series of preferred stock will be entitled upon our liquidation;

 

 

the date or dates, if any, on which we will be required or permitted to redeem the preferred stock;

 

 

the terms, if any, on which we or holders of the preferred stock will have the option to cause the preferred stock to be redeemed or purchased;

 

 

the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the preferred stock;

 

 

the dividends, if any, that will be payable with regard to the series of preferred stock, which may be fixed dividends or participating dividends, and may be cumulative or non-cumulative;

 

 

the right, if any, of holders of the preferred stock to convert it into another class of our stock or securities, including provisions intended to prevent dilution of those conversion rights;

 

 

any provisions by which we will be required or permitted to make payments to a sinking fund to be used to redeem preferred stock, or a purchase fund to be used to purchase preferred stock; and

 

 

any other material terms of the preferred stock.

Any or all of these rights may be greater than the rights of the holders of common stock. In addition, our board of directors, without shareholder approval, may issue preferred stock with voting, conversion or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

The terms of the preferred stock that might be issued could conceivably prohibit us from:

 

 

consummating a merger;

 

 

reorganizing;

 

 

selling substantially all of our assets;

 

 

liquidating; or

 

 

engaging in other extraordinary corporate transactions without shareholder approval.

Preferred stock could therefore be issued with terms calculated to delay, defer or prevent a change in our control or to make it more difficult to remove our management. Our issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock.

 

12


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue:

 

 

warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or units of two or more of these types of securities; or

 

 

currency warrants, which are warrants or other rights relating to foreign currency exchange rates.

Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any registered holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each issue of warrants. Each prospectus supplement will describe:

 

 

in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and the price at which you may purchase the debt securities upon exercise;

 

 

in the case of warrants to purchase preferred stock, the designation, number of shares, stated value and terms, such as liquidation, dividend, conversion and voting rights, of the series of preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and the price at which you may purchase shares of preferred stock of that series upon exercise;

 

 

in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants and the price at which you may purchase shares of common stock upon exercise;

 

 

in the case of currency warrants, the designation, aggregate principal amount, whether the currency warrants are put or call currency warrants or both, the formula for determining any cash settlement value, exercise procedures and conditions, the date on which your right to exercise the currency warrants commences and the date on which your right expires, and any other terms of the currency warrants;

 

 

in the case of warrants to purchase units of two or more securities, the type, number and terms of the units purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which you may purchase units upon exercise;

 

 

the period during which you may exercise the warrants;

 

 

any provision adjusting the securities that may be purchased on exercise of the warrants, and the exercise price of the warrants, to prevent dilution or otherwise;

 

 

the place or places where warrants can be presented for exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange; and

 

 

any other material terms of the warrants.

Unless we provide otherwise in a prospectus supplement, warrants for the purchase of preferred stock and common stock will be offered and exercisable for U.S. dollars only, and will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for warrants will be subject to adjustment as described in the prospectus supplement for those warrants.

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise, including:

 

 

in the case of warrants for the purchase of debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of or any premium or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise, or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or

 

 

in the case of warrants for the purchase of preferred stock or common stock, the right to vote or to receive any payments of dividends on the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise.

 

13


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and warrants, or any combination of those securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the offering of such units will describe their terms, including the following:

 

 

the terms of each of the securities included in the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities included in the units may or may not be traded separately;

 

 

the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

 

 

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

 

the provision for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.

 

14


Table of Contents

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or warrants that we may offer to our security holders in one or more series. The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. A copy of the form of rights agent or subscription agent agreement, including the form of rights certificate representing a series of rights, will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of a particular series of rights.

The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:

 

 

the title of the rights;

 

 

the securities for which the rights are exercisable;

 

 

the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

 

the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or warrants purchasable upon the exercise of such rights;

 

 

the extent to which rights are transferable;

 

 

the exercise price;

 

 

any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the rights;

 

 

the conditions to completion of the rights offering;

 

 

any applicable federal income tax considerations;

 

 

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement, that we may enter into in connection with the rights offering;

 

 

the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and

 

 

any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.

Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock or warrants at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.

We may determine to offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Until a holder exercises the rights to purchase shares of our common stock or preferred stock or warrants, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of shares of our common stock or preferred stock or warrants, as the case may be, by virtue of ownership of the rights.

 

15


Table of Contents

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities being offered by this prospectus separately or together:

 

 

through agents;

 

 

to or through underwriters who may act directly or through a syndicate represented by one or more managing underwriters;

 

 

through dealers;

 

 

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

 

in exchange for our outstanding indebtedness;

 

 

through sales in an “at the market offering” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, to or through one or more market makers or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;

 

 

directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding, a rights offering, auction or other process; or

 

 

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

If the securities offered under this prospectus are issued in exchange for our outstanding securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the exchange, and the identity and the terms of sale of the securities offered under this prospectus by the selling security holders.

If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. We will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to an agent in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement for that transaction. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of the securities as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

If we utilize an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of securities. We will describe any of these activities in the prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

 

16


Table of Contents

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities, and we may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any direct sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized.

Agreements we enter into with agents, underwriters and dealers may entitle them to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates, may be our customers, or engage in transactions with or perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Certain of the agents, underwriters and dealers that we sell the securities offered under this prospectus to or through, and certain of their affiliates, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. We may enter into hedging transactions in connection with any particular issue of the securities offered under this prospectus, including forwards, futures, options, interest rate or exchange rate swaps and repurchase or reverse repurchase transactions with, or arranged by, the applicable agent, underwriter or dealer, an affiliate of that agent, underwriter or dealer or an unrelated entity. We, the applicable agent, underwriter or dealer or other parties may receive compensation, trading gain or other benefits in connection with these transactions. We are not required to engage in any of these transactions. If we commence these transactions, we may discontinue them at any time. Counterparties to these hedging activities also may engage in market transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus.

No securities may be sold under this prospectus without delivery (in paper format, in electronic format, in electronic format on the Internet, or by other means) of the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

 

17


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, the validity of those securities and certain U.S. federal income tax matters may be passed upon for us by Paul Hastings LLP, Washington, District of Columbia, and for the underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.

 

18


Table of Contents

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of 2U, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

19


Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth or incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You can also access our SEC filings through our website at www.2U.com. Except as expressly set forth below, we are not incorporating by reference the contents of the SEC website or our website into this prospectus.

 

20


Table of Contents

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. Any statement contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents, provided, however, that we are not incorporating any documents or information deemed to have been furnished rather than filed in accordance with SEC rules:

 

  1)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 6, 2024 (including the information specifically incorporated by reference therein from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (other than information furnished rather than filed)).

 

  2)

Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2024 (excluding Exhibit 99.1 thereof).

 

  3)

The description of our common stock included in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated February 21, 2014, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

In addition, all documents we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and after the date of this prospectus until the offering of the securities offered hereby is terminated or completed, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that we disclose under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that we may from time to time furnish to the SEC will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:

Matthew J. Norden

Chief Financial Officer

2U, Inc.

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD 20706

Telephone: (301) 892-4350

You may also find additional information about us, including the documents mentioned above, on our website at www.2U.com. Our website and the information included in, or linked to on, our website are not part of this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as a textual reference.

 

21


Table of Contents

2U, INC.

Prospectus

March 6, 2024

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth all expenses payable by us in connection with the offering of the securities being registered, other than discounts and commissions.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee

   $ 14,760  

Printing Expenses

   $ *  

Legal Fees and Expenses

   $ *  

Accounting Fees and Expenses

   $ *  

Blue Sky Fees and Expenses

   $ *  

Trustee, Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses

   $ *  

Rating Agency Fees and Expenses

   $ *  

Miscellaneous

   $ *  

Total

   $    

 

*

These fees cannot be estimated at this time as they are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), the Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that none of the Company’s directors will be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing Article SIXTH of the Company’s certificate of incorporation by the Company’s stockholders will not adversely affect any right of a director existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Under Section 145 of the DGCL, a corporation has the power to indemnify directors and officers under certain prescribed circumstances and subject to certain limitations against certain costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, to which any of them is a party by reason of being a director or officer of the corporation if it is determined that the director or officer acted in accordance with the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such statutory provision. Article VII of the Company’s by-laws provides that the Company will indemnify any person who was or is party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was a director of officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against certain liabilities, costs and expenses. Article VII also provides

 

II-1


Table of Contents

for the advancement of expenses to an indemnified party upon receipt of an undertaking by the party to repay those amounts if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of Article VII of the Company’s by-laws will be prospective only and will not in any way adversely affect any right of a director or officer in effect at the time with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

The Company maintains a director and officer insurance policy which insures the directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, within certain limits and subject to certain limitations, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings in which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers.

In addition, the underwriting agreement that the Company may enter into may provide for indemnification by any underwriters of the Company its directors, its officers who signed the registration statement and the Company’s controlling persons for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

II-2


Table of Contents

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.    Description of Document
1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement
2.1*    Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2021, by and among 2U,  Inc., edX Inc. and Circuit Sub LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2021.
2.2*    Amendment No. 1 to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of November  16, 2021, by and between 2U, Inc. and edX Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the registrant’s Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2022.
4.1*    Specimen stock certificate evidencing shares of Common Stock.
4.2*    Form of Indenture
4.3*    Form of Debt Securities
4.4*    Form of Warrant Agreement
4.5*    Form of Unit Agreement
4.6*    Form of Preferred Stock Certificate
5.1    Opinion of Paul Hastings LLP
23.1    Consent of Paul Hastings LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2    Consent of KPMG LLP
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto).
25.1*    Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-l
107    Filing Fee Table

 

*

To be filed by amendment to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference from documents filed or to be filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

Item 17. Undertakings

 

(a)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end

of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

  (2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

  (4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (A)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (B)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

II-4


Table of Contents
  (5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  (iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(b)

The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

(d)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(e)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

II-5


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 2U, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lanham, Maryland, on March 6, 2024.

 

2U, INC.
By:   /s/ MATTHEW J. NORDEN
  Name:   Matthew J. Norden
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

II-6


Table of Contents

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Paul S. Lalljie and Matthew J. Norden and each or any of them (with full power to act alone) as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for such person and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto each attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature    Title   Date

/s/ PAUL S. LALLJIE

Paul S. Lalljie

   Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   March 6, 2024

/s/ MATTHEW J. NORDEN

Matthew J. Norden

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   March 6, 2024

/s/ HEATHER M. HOFFERT

Heather M. Hoffert

   Senior Vice President, Accounting (Principal Accounting Officer)   March 6, 2024

/s/ PAUL A. MAEDER

Paul A. Maeder

   Director and Chairman of the Board   March 6, 2024

/s/ TIMOTHY M. HALEY

Timothy M. Haley

   Director   March 6, 2024

/s/ JOHN M. LARSON

John M. Larson

   Director   March 6, 2024

/s/ CORETHA M. RUSHING

Coretha M. Rushing

   Director   March 6, 2024

/s/ ROBERT M. STAVIS

Robert M. Stavis

   Director   March 6, 2024

/s/ EARL LEWIS

Earl Lewis

   Director   March 6, 2024

/s/ EDWARD S. MACIAS

Edward S. Macias

   Director   March 6, 2024

 

II-7