Ryan Kroonenburg -
The cloud computing industry owes a debt to Ryan Kroonenburg. He didn't invent cloud training, but he perfected it for the modern learner. He showed that the best teachers aren't necessarily academics, but passionate practitioners who can translate complexity into clarity.
Whether you are studying for your first AWS Cloud Practitioner exam or aiming for the CCIE, if you want to know how to learn cloud computing the right way, just search for Ryan Kroonenburg.
His voice, his whiteboard, and his "Hello Cloud Gurus" will be there to guide you.
Are you looking for Ryan Kroonenburg’s latest courses? Check the Pluralsight platform (home of A Cloud Guru) or his specific instructor page to see his latest content on Generative AI and Advanced AWS Architecture.
Ryan Kroonenburg is best known as the co-founder of A Cloud Guru, a leading cloud computing training platform that sold for over $2 billion in 2021. His "long story" is a classic tale of resilience, pivoting from a career collapse to creating a tech unicorn after a major rejection from Amazon. From Law to Global Collapse
Before tech, Ryan lived in London and ran a successful immigration law practice with his father. By 2008, the business had grown to 150 staff and four offices worldwide. However, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) hit his industry "overnight" because his clients couldn't sell their homes to afford to emigrate. The business collapsed, leaving him broke and deeply in debt—reportedly facing an $85,000 bill for IVF treatments on top of a mortgage. The Amazon Rejection and "The Idea"
Facing a dead end in law, Ryan decided to pivot to technology. He became obsessed with becoming Amazon Web Services (AWS) certified, viewing a job at Amazon as his "safest bet". After a grueling three-month interview process, he was rejected in the final round.
While studying, Ryan realized that high-quality cloud training was either outdated or prohibitively expensive. He decided to create his own training content, starting with a "cheat sheet" and later filming courses in his bedroom.
Ryan Kroonenburg is a prominent figure in the cloud computing education space, best known as the founder of A Cloud Guru
and an AWS Community Hero. Reviews of his teaching and courses are generally positive for beginners but more critical when compared to competitors for advanced technical depth. Core Course Reviews & Teaching Style Beginner-Friendly Approach:
His courses are frequently praised for an "explain it like I'm 5" style that makes complex cloud concepts accessible to newcomers. Strengths: Reviewers highlight his straightforward
delivery, helpful tips, and focus on passing exams, particularly for foundational and associate-level certifications. Weaknesses:
A common critique is that his courses may lack the granular detail required for newer, more difficult exam versions (like SAA-C03). Some students feel his content only covers about 50–60% of what is needed for current exams, requiring additional resources. Comparison with Key Competitors
Students often compare Ryan Kroonenburg's (A Cloud Guru) courses to other popular instructors: Stephane Maarek
Maarek is often cited as providing more comprehensive, up-to-date theoretical and hands-on coverage. Adrian Cantrill
Reviewers who prioritize deep technical mastery and real-world skills often favor Cantrill over Kroonenburg, noting that Cantrill's labs and demos provide more depth.
Ryan Kroonenburg is a prominent figure in the cloud computing education sector, best known as the co-founder of A Cloud Guru (ACG), a leading online training platform. Along with his brother Sam Kroonenburg, he launched the company in 2015 to simplify complex cloud certifications for engineers worldwide. Background and Expertise
Kroonenburg has been involved in the cloud space since its early development. He is recognized as an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Community Hero, a title awarded by Amazon to individuals who have made significant contributions to the AWS community through sharing knowledge. His credentials include:
Certifications: He has historically held every AWS Associate level certification and is a certified AWS Solutions Architect Professional.
Serverless Advocate: He is a co-founder of Serverless Conf, a community-led conference series focused on serverless architectures.
"Get Your Hands Dirty": His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical, hands-on learning, often using the catchphrase, "You need to get your hands dirty," to encourage students to perform labs themselves. Career and A Cloud Guru
Before A Cloud Guru was acquired by Pluralsight in 2021, Kroonenburg grew the platform into a powerhouse for cloud education.
Course Reach: His AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate course is one of the most popular technical training programs globally, with hundreds of thousands of students enrolled across platforms like Udemy and A Cloud Guru. ryan kroonenburg
Content Updates: Kroonenburg is known for frequently re-taking AWS exams to ensure his course material remains up-to-date with the latest service changes. Online Presence
You can find his ongoing work, blogs, and technical talks on various platforms:
AWS Solutions Architect Associate — Roadmap for preparation
Ryan Kroonenburg is a prominent entrepreneur, technologist, and educator widely recognized for his contributions to cloud computing education. He is best known as the Founder of A Cloud Guru
, an online learning platform that revolutionized how IT professionals prepare for cloud certifications. Career & Achievements The last fourteen months … - precipitation io
The Ryan Kroonenburg Guide: Unlocking the Secrets of a Tech Visionary
Ryan Kroonenburg is a name synonymous with innovation and expertise in the tech industry. As a highly respected entrepreneur, developer, and thought leader, Ryan has made a significant impact on the world of technology. In this guide, we'll take you on a journey to explore Ryan's remarkable story, achievements, and contributions to the tech world.
Early Life and Education
Ryan Kroonenburg was born with a passion for technology and a curiosity-driven mindset. Growing up, he was always fascinated by the way things worked and spent countless hours coding and experimenting with various programming languages. Ryan's educational background is impressive, with a degree in Computer Science and a strong foundation in software development.
Career Highlights
Ryan's professional journey is marked by numerous achievements and milestones. Some of his notable career highlights include:
Contributions to the Tech Industry
Ryan Kroonenburg's contributions to the tech industry are multifaceted and far-reaching. Some of his notable contributions include:
Ryan's Philosophy and Approach
Ryan Kroonenburg's approach to technology and innovation is centered around a few core principles:
Inspirational Quotes and Insights
Ryan Kroonenburg's insights and quotes offer valuable lessons for anyone interested in technology and innovation:
Conclusion
Ryan Kroonenburg's remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to anyone interested in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through his achievements, contributions, and philosophy, Ryan has left an indelible mark on the tech industry. As we look to the future, it's clear that Ryan's legacy will continue to shape the world of technology and inspire a new generation of innovators.
Resources and Further Reading
If you're interested in learning more about Ryan Kroonenburg and his work, here are some recommended resources:
By following this guide, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Ryan Kroonenburg's remarkable story and the impact he's had on the tech industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, Ryan's insights and achievements offer valuable lessons and inspiration for anyone interested in technology and innovation. The cloud computing industry owes a debt to Ryan Kroonenburg
From Zero to Cloud Guru: How Ryan Kroonenburg Democratized AWS Learning
In the world of cloud computing, few names carry as much weight in the training space as Ryan Kroonenburg
. If you’ve ever Googled "how to pass the AWS Solutions Architect exam," chances are you’ve encountered his face, his distinct teaching style, and the platform he co-founded: A Cloud Guru
But how did a Solutions Architect from Australia turn a small Udemy course
into a global education powerhouse? Let’s dive into the legacy of the man who made the cloud accessible to everyone. The Spark: Solving the "Boring" Training Problem
Before 2015, cloud training was often locked behind expensive, week-long corporate boot camps or dry, text-heavy manuals. Ryan Kroonenburg recognized a massive gap: developers wanted to learn AWS in a way that was practical, affordable, and—most importantly—not boring
Together with his brother Sam, Ryan launched A Cloud Guru. Their philosophy was simple: Focus on the "Why": Don't just click buttons; understand the architecture. Exam Tips:
Ryan became famous for his "Exam Tips" slides, which distilled complex whitepapers into digestible nuggets for the big day. Hands-on Labs:
He pioneered the idea that you can't learn the cloud without actually building in it. The Growth: Scaling the Cloud Community How I Achieved the AWS Associate Certifications 30 Aug 2018 —
Ryan Kroonenburg: Democratizing Cloud Education through A Cloud Guru
Ryan Kroonenburg is a prominent figure in the technology and education sectors, best known as the founder of A Cloud Guru (ACG). His journey from an unemployed lawyer to an AWS Community Hero has become a legendary narrative within the tech community, inspiring thousands of non-IT professionals to pivot into cloud computing. From Law to the Cloud: An Unlikely Pivot
Kroonenburg’s professional background did not begin in technology. He was originally an immigration lawyer in Australia. Following the global financial crisis, he found himself unemployed and, after a period of soul-searching, decided to leave the legal world to pursue a career in IT.
His entry into the cloud space was sparked by a personal setback: he was famously rejected for a job at Amazon. During his preparation for that role, he realized that Amazon Web Services (AWS) training was prohibitively expensive and difficult to access for the average learner. This realization became the catalyst for his entrepreneurial venture. The Founding of A Cloud Guru
In 2015, Ryan and his brother Sam Kroonenburg co-founded A Cloud Guru. The platform was built on the mission of making cloud education accessible, affordable, and engaging.
Early Growth: The business initially gained traction on platforms like Udemy before launching its own independent site.
Expansion: Under Ryan’s leadership, ACG expanded beyond AWS to cover Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Linux, eventually acquiring competitors like Linux Academy.
Acquisition: In 2021, A Cloud Guru was acquired by Pluralsight in one of the largest deals in the history of the ed-tech sector, cementing Kroonenburg’s legacy as a pioneer in online technical training. Impact on Cloud Certification
Kroonenburg is widely recognized for his teaching style, which simplifies complex architectural concepts into digestible lessons. His courses, particularly the AWS Solutions Architect Associate series, are frequently cited by professionals as their primary resource for passing certification exams. Key contributions to the field include:
Democratization: Providing a pathway for non-technical individuals (like himself) to enter the cloud industry.
Industry Insights: Kroonenburg has highlighted critical trends, such as the fact that 64% of cloud professionals were cross-certified in 2020, a trend that continues to rise.
Hands-on Learning: He championed the use of "sandboxes" and hands-on labs, allowing students to practice in real cloud environments without the risk of unexpected costs. Legacy and Community Recognition
For his contributions to the AWS ecosystem, Ryan Kroonenburg was named an AWS Community Hero. This title is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional enthusiasm and expertise while actively sharing their knowledge with the global community. Today, his "cloud guru" persona remains synonymous with high-quality cloud education, having helped millions of students worldwide achieve their certification goals. How I Passed the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam Are you looking for Ryan Kroonenburg’s latest courses
Ryan Kroonenburg is a prominent figure in the cloud computing industry, best known as the co-founder of A Cloud Guru (ACG)
, a leading online learning platform for cloud certifications. His journey is widely cited as a classic example of professional "reinvention," having transitioned from a career in law to becoming a globally recognized AWS Community Hero and Alexa Champion. Core Educational Content
Ryan is highly regarded for his ability to break down complex cloud concepts for beginners. His most impactful content includes: AWS & Serverless Technology with Ryan Kroonenburg
Ryan Kroonenburg: Cloud Educator, Entrepreneur, and Founder of A Cloud Guru
Ryan Kroonenburg is a prominent figure in the cloud computing education space, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of A Cloud Guru (ACG), one of the world’s leading online learning platforms for cloud technologies.
Early Career and Inspiration Before becoming an entrepreneur, Ryan worked as a cloud architect and consultant, helping enterprises migrate to Amazon Web Services (AWS). During this time, he recognized a major gap in the market: traditional IT training was expensive, slow, and often outdated. Hands-on, practical cloud learning was hard to find.
Founding A Cloud Guru In 2015, Ryan and his brother Sam Kroonenburg started A Cloud Guru from their home in Melbourne, Australia. Their first course — AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate — was produced in Ryan’s spare bedroom. The course’s engaging, conversational style, combined with hands-on labs and regular updates, quickly gained a massive following. Within two years, ACG had taught over 500,000 students, and by 2019, that number had surpassed 1 million.
Growth and Acquisition Under Ryan’s leadership as CEO, A Cloud Guru expanded from AWS training to include Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and DevOps tools. The platform introduced interactive labs, cloud sandboxes, and learning paths that set a new industry standard. In 2021, Pluralsight acquired A Cloud Guru for $2 billion (USD) — one of the largest edtech acquisitions in history.
Post-ACG and Current Work After the acquisition, Ryan remained involved in cloud education and technology. He continues to advocate for practical, hands-on learning and has spoken at major cloud conferences like AWS re:Invent. He is also an active angel investor in edtech and SaaS startups, and occasionally creates content to help new cloud professionals break into the industry.
Legacy and Impact Ryan Kroonenburg is widely credited with democratizing cloud education. By making high-quality, affordable, and engaging cloud training accessible to anyone with an internet connection, he helped launch thousands of cloud careers. His approach — “learn by doing” — has influenced how modern technical training is designed across the industry.
Ryan Kroonenburg is a well-known figure in the tech and entrepreneurship space, particularly recognized for his work in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and his role as a founder. If you're looking to develop a feature related to him, I'll need a bit more context to provide a precise answer. However, I can offer some general ideas based on his public profile and interests:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud computing, a few names stand out as pioneers who didn't just adopt the technology but reshaped how the world learns it. Ryan Kroonenburg is one such name. While the average tech professional might recognize the massive success of A Cloud Guru, many do not know the story of the man who started it all from his living room. This article dives deep into the journey, philosophy, and lasting impact of Ryan Kroonenburg on the $500 billion cloud education industry.
In 2015, Ryan and his brother, Sam Kroonenburg, decided to solve this problem. With a whiteboard, a microphone, and an infectious passion for cloud architecture, they recorded their first AWS certification course in Ryan’s living room. The "Australian accent" and energetic delivery were initially a gamble, but it paid off.
Ryan didn't just explain what a command did; he explained why you would use it in a production environment. He brought real-world war stories to the screen. Students felt like they were sitting next to a senior engineer guiding them through a crisis, rather than a professor lecturing from an ivory tower.
Key differentiators that Ryan brought to ACG:
In 2015, Ryan Kroonenburg partnered with his brother, Sam Kroonenburg, to launch A Cloud Guru. While Ryan handled the technical instruction and curriculum, Sam built the proprietary streaming platform from scratch. This symbiotic relationship was crucial. Ryan provided the soul (the teaching), while Sam provided the skeleton (the technology).
Their first course was AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Level. It was a Hail Mary pass. They uploaded it to a nascent online learning marketplace, hoping to reach a few hundred students.
The response was seismic.
Within months, thousands of students were passing the notoriously difficult AWS exams on their first try. Word of mouth spread like wildfire through Reddit forums (r/AWS and r/cloudcomputing) and tech Slack channels. Students weren't just passing; they were actually understanding the cloud for the first time.
Ryan’s trademark catchphrases—like “Hello Cloud Gurus”—became a signal of quality. Students knew that if Ryan Kroonenburg was teaching the module, it would be accurate, up-to-date, and actually fun.
As of 2025, Ryan Kroonenburg remains active in the cloud community, albeit with a slightly lower public profile due to executive duties. He is currently focused on the intersection of Generative AI and Cloud Architecture.
He has recently been spearheading new course initiatives on how to use AWS Bedrock, Azure OpenAI Service, and Google’s Vertex AI. His latest thesis is that "AI is the new cloud"—a paradigm shift as large as the shift from on-premise servers to EC2 was in 2008.
Furthermore, Ryan has become a quiet but powerful mentor to new tech creators. He frequently invests in Australian ed-tech startups, hoping to find the "next A Cloud Guru." He also runs a private Slack channel for senior cloud architects, fostering a community where the elite engineers of the world solve problems away from the noise of social media.
