# Steven Cox

> Steven Cox co-founded TakeLessons in 2006 and led the education marketplace through its 2021 acquisition by Microsoft. His background spans music, early internet businesses, investing and startup advising. After stepping back from full-time TakeLessons work in 2022, he developed a screen-acting practice; his acting portfolio identifies Beverly Hills as his base.

- **Role:** Screen actor; advisor at Cure8 Ventures; former Co-founder and CEO at TakeLessons
- **Organizations:** TakeLessons, Microsoft, PurchasePro, CollegeClub.com, Reddito LLC, Cure8 Ventures, Stone Talent Agency
- **Education:** Investment Finance and Human Communication; graduated with honors, Eastern Kentucky University, Acting training with Aaron Speiser and Kay Aston, Screen Acting Studio
- **Known for:** Built TakeLessons from a self-funded spare-bedroom project into an education marketplace acquired by Microsoft., Led TakeLessons through institutional funding, including the 2011 $6 million and 2014 $7 million rounds., Participated as an early employee in PurchasePro’s path to its 1999 IPO.

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Early employee at PurchasePro when it went public.
- **Before 2006** — Served as VP of Business Development at CollegeClub.com and managing partner of Reddito LLC.
- **2006** — Co-founded TakeLessons in San Diego.
- **2011** — TakeLessons announced a $6 million round led by Crosslink Capital.
- **2014** — Announced $7 million in new funding, bringing the total raised at that time to $20 million.
- **2021** — Microsoft acquired TakeLessons in September for an undisclosed sum.
- **2022** — Announced in May that he was leaving full-time TakeLessons and Microsoft work for a consulting role.
- **2023** — Wrote an August opinion piece supporting startup acquisitions and reported investing proceeds in six early-stage companies.
- **2024** — TakeLessons closed on November 15, after his full-time departure.
- **2025** — His acting portfolio includes a film reel labeled September 2025.

## Achievements

- Built TakeLessons from a self-funded spare-bedroom project into an education marketplace acquired by Microsoft.
- Led TakeLessons through institutional funding, including the 2011 $6 million and 2014 $7 million rounds.
- Participated as an early employee in PurchasePro’s path to its 1999 IPO.
- Released two alternative rock albums on Convertible Fly Records, according to his biography.
- Reported investing acquisition proceeds in six early-stage companies in 2023.

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — His current acting portfolio displays a film reel labeled September 2025 and identifies him as based in Beverly Hills.
- **2024-11** — TakeLessons ceased service on November 15; Microsoft maintains closure guidance.
- **2023-08** — Published a policy opinion defending startup acquisitions and reported six early-stage investments funded with acquisition proceeds.

## Links

- Website: https://www.stevencox.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencox/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/steven_cox
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstevencox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.cox

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steven-cox
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25