Aaquib Hussain

While the edtech space has been going through a long spell of the so-called ‘funding winter’, PhysicsWallah (PW) appears close to raising a new large round. Fresh funding will be led by new investors whereas existing investors including Westbridge and GSV Ventures will also participate, three sources aware of the discussion  “PhysicsWallah is set to raise $150 million from new and existing backers,” said one of the sources requesting anonymity. “The terms of the deal have been sealed and the transaction is likely to be public soon.” This will be the second financing round for the Alakh Pandey-led firm in the past two years. PhysicWallah raised $100 million in a Series A round led by Westbridge and GSV Ventures in June 2022.  “PhysicsWallah will be valued at around $2.8 billion in the new round,” said another source who also wished not to be named. This will be over a 2.5X jump in the company’s valuation as PhysicsWallah was valued at $1.1 billion in its Series A funding. Queries sent to PhysicsWallah and Westbridge didn’t elicit any immediate response. We will carry their comments in case they respond. According to the startup data intelligence platform TheKredible, WestBridge held a 2.4% stake in PhysicWallah while GSV owned 1.44% as of the Series A round. Its co-founders Alakh Pandey and Prayeek Maheshwari cumulatively command 86.54% of the company. PhysicsWallah started with online coaching for IIT/JEE but has now become a full-fledged education firm, offering offline coaching, schools, colleges, and upskilling programmes. According to sources, about 30% of its revenue comes from JEE and NEET coaching whereas offline coaching (via Vidyapeeth and Pathshala) contributes 35% of the collection.  While the company is yet to disclose FY24 numbers, PhysicsWallah’s revenue surged 3.3X to Rs 779 crore in FY23. At the same time, the firm’s profit declined more than 90% to Rs 8.87 crore in FY23. #physicswallah #alakhpanday #pratekmaheswari#indiadailynews #indiadaily #newsdaily #startup #startupro #dailyupdates #newsupdate #newsfeed #news #dailynewspaper #dailynews #startupindia #NewsUpdate #startupnewsindia 

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Shaping India's Future: Digital innovation in education is creating a vibrant and empowered society. 1. Investments in Education The budget allocates a record ₹1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling. This substantial investment signifies the government's commitment to fostering a robust education system. It's heartening to see a 30% increase in the budget allocation for education, emphasizing its critical role in nation-building. 2. Technology Integration: As AI revolutionizes industries, the government recognizes its potential in education. By introducing robust infrastructure and allocating resources, we can equip HEIs with the tools needed to enhance teaching, learning, and research. AI-driven solutions can personalize education, automate administrative tasks, and improve overall efficiency. 3. Capacity Building Empowering stakeholders—faculty, administrators, and students—is pivotal. Faculty development programs, workshops, and collaborative initiatives can enhance teaching methodologies and research capabilities. HEIs must prioritize upskilling to stay abreast of technological advancements. 4. AI Skills and Competencies The government's emphasis on imparting AI skills to students aligns with global trends. Integrating AI into curricula prepares graduates for the future job market. Whether it's data science, machine learning, or ethical AI, students must acquire relevant competencies to thrive in a digital world. 5. Global Innovation and Development India's position on the global stage hinges on innovation. By nurturing an AI-savvy workforce, we ensure that our nation remains at the forefront of technological advancements. HEIs play a pivotal role in shaping innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who contribute to India's growth story. 6. (AI) are revolutionizing education systems, making them more equitable and inclusive. AI has enabled personalized learning paths for students. It tailors content, pace, and difficulty levels based on individual needs and learning styles. Adaptive learning platforms adjust in real-time, ensuring students receive targeted support and challenges. AI-powered tutors provide instant feedback, answer questions, and guide students through exercises, it adapts to student progress, identifying areas where additional practice or intervention is needed 7. Automating Administrative Tasks: AI streamlines administrative processes of Grading, attendance tracking, and scheduling. creating engaging lessons and curating relevant resources. analyzing student performance data to identify areas for improvement and tailor instruction. AI is fostering innovation, automating tasks, and creating a more personalized and effective learning experience. 🌟📚🤖 #ai #education #edtech #learning #university #hei #highereducation #educationalleadership

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Venk Krishnan speaking at Nice Samanvay held by NICEorg - Network of Indian Cultural Enterprises : “There are many incubators and accelerators in India. It’s a good thing. But there needs to be value-add. I seldom see accelerators getting into the nuts and bolts, getting customers for startups etc We will be doing a disservice to startups if there is no value-add. At NuVentures we look at what is the value add we can do beyond funding.” #startups #accelerators #funding

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🎓📚 India is making waves in the education sector with an allocation of nearly ₹73,500 crore in the recent Union Budget — the highest in the country's history! But, despite this ambitious funding, challenges persist. With an unspent balance of ₹7,000 crore from the previous budget, there’s an urgent need to channel resources effectively and drive impactful change – a responsibility that some exceptional startups have come to shoulder. While the likes of BYJU'S and upGrad continue to be at the forefront, let us look at 3 trailblazing startups reshaping the country’s educational landscape in line with UNSDG 4: Quality Education! 🌾 Hippocampus Learning Centres: Founded by Umesh Malhotra, a former Infosys employee, Hippocampus strives to provide quality early childhood education to underprivileged children in rural India. Established in 2011, this social enterprise has secured over ₹20 crore in venture capital backing and focuses on three years of pre-school education before grade 1. ⌨ Thinkerbell Labs: Co-founded by Aman Srivastava, Sanskriti Dawle, Dilip Ramesh, and Saif Shaikh, Thinkerbell Labs is breaking barriers for the visually impaired. Their innovative device, Annie — the world’s first self-learning Braille literacy tool — acts as a personal tutor, helping visually impaired students master Braille. Annie’s success, with accolades from international markets like the U.S. and support from Anand Mahindra, underscores its revolutionary impact. 🌍 Multibhashi: Founded by Anuradha Aggrawal, Multibhashi is revolutionizing language learning for those who speak only Indian languages. By enabling blue-collar workers and marginalized communities to learn English through their native languages, Multibhashi is opening doors to better job opportunities. With support from Dr Aniruddha Malpani and RareJob, this platform is making English learning accessible and effective. Do you also have an idea that can make the world a better place by helping more people access quality education? If the answer is a resounding YES, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help. At build3, we're passionate about supporting founders who build for profit AND purpose – all while pushing progress on the UNSDGs. Wondering how? Through the build3 Impact Accelerator designed to help impact founders – 🤝 Find their entrepreneurial soulmate aka a co-founder 🛠️ Sharpen their skills 🌱 Learn from industry experts and 🚀 Secure the funding you need to make an impact Are you ready to join this transformative journey? #Impact #Education #Startup #UNSDG4

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