Edtech

Chaudhry's Sparkl bags $4 mn from Zomato, Zerodha founders and others

Chaudhry, whose previous firm Aakash Educational Services (AESL) was bought by Byju's in 2021, has secured a seed investment of about $4 million for his new edtech venture Sparkl

Less than 2% of higher edu institutes offer work-linked degrees: Report

Only 2 per cent of the higher education institutions (HEIs) offer work-linked degrees despite high demand, a TeamLease EdTech survey said on Tuesday. The survey also said that over 85 per cent of students interviewed endorsed work-linked degrees as the future. However, less than 2 per cent of HEIs currently offer such programmes, which underscores an urgent need for change, it said Around 80 per cent of students believe that work experience on their CVs will improve their chances of securing high-paying jobs, and 40 per cent of the respondents identify financial independence as a key driver behind their preference for work-linked degrees, the report added. Moreover, 66 per cent of students valued flexibility in learning schedules, and 56 per cent were drawn to on-the-job mentorship, it added. Such models resonate deeply with students' aspirations for learning that integrate seamlessly with their career goals, the report stated. These findings, it said, reveal a need for HEIs to a

India emerges global leader in generative AI enrollments on Coursera

Indian learners prioritised practical applications of GenAI, moving beyond foundational courses to focus on workplace integration

NCLAT declines to lift stay on NCLT order barring Aakash from amending AoA

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has declined to lift the stay on the NCLT order, barring amendment of the Articles of Association of Aakash Educational Services, a subsidiary of the debt-ridden edtech major Byju. Disposing the petitions moved by Manipal Health Systems and Aakash Educational Services, the Chennai bench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Friday asked them to file applications before the National Company Law Tribunal for vacating the order passed on November 20, 2024. A two-member bench granted them a week to file it and also directed the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to decide it within three weeks thereafter. Moreover, the status quo would continue as directed by the Supreme Court in this matter, a 14-page-long NCLAT order said. An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of Aakash Educational Services was scheduled to be held on November 20 to consider and approve alteration in the AoA, which was objected to by the minority ...

Byju's woes continue: Content manager, biz partner face US court sanctions

Federal judge is considering imposing millions of dollars in sanctions on Byju's manager Vinay Ravindra and company ally Rajendran Vellapalath, who founded Dubai-based tech startup Voizzit Technology

India leads globally in AI upskilling, says Udemy's Caoimhe Carlos

She says that the firm will hire its India head of customer success, ramp up the R&D centre to strengthen Udemy's core platform and build more AI features into its platform

After a prolonged winter, Indian edtech sector shows signs of recovery

Funding in the sector has increased by 153 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), reaching $608.8 million across 68 deals in 2024 so far

Supreme Court bars Aakash from diluting rights of minority investors

Minority stakeholder Blackstone had appealed against the Karnataka High Court order that allowed Aakash to go ahead with the proposed amendments

SC directs Aakash Educational Services not to implement AoA amendment plan

Minority shareholders of Aakash have alleged that the company was trying to dilute their shareholding in the company by amending the Articles of Association (AoA)

Skill-based courses create job-ready grads, says Coursera report

Micro-credentials are short, certified courses of assessed learning that are additional to a formal educational degree

Trouble mounts for Byju's as firm faces new probe over financial practices

The federal government has asked the regional office of the Registrar of Companies in Hyderabad to investigate Byju's books to ascertain if the company misreported financial statements

India among our top three focus markets globally, says Pearson executive

The company is seeing a huge growth opportunity in English language learning, assessment and testing, and higher education

Edtech platform Bhanzu secures $16.5 mn for US expansion and global growth

The company has reported 8 times growth since its last funding round two years ago. It is now cash-flow positive, with expansion plans focused on the US market

Biz fundamentals rekindling investor confidence in edtech: Eruditus CEO

The company has seen 40 per cent growth in university partnerships over the past four years and doubled its enterprise business in the last two years

LEAD Group to seek PE funding after hitting profitability milestone

Edtech unicorn hopes to turn the corner by FY25-end, says CEO

Zinc raises $25.5 million in seed funding from Nexus Venture Partners

The funding will enable Zinc to drive product innovation and expand its offerings

Arihant academy acquires 51% stake in ZEAL academy at Rs 17 cr valuation

Coaching institute Arihant Academy on Thursday said it has acquired a 51 per cent stake in Zen Educational and Learning (ZEAL Academy) at a valuation of Rs 17 crore. The acquisition will enable Arihant Academy to expand its academic portfolio in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and cater to a larger student base with top-notch learning pedagogy, the company, which is listed on NSE SME platform, said in a filing. The company did not reveal the acquisition cost but stated that ZEAL Academy's valuation is priced at Rs 17 crore. "This also expands Arihant's presence across Navi Mumbai, it said. "By merging ZEAL Academy's local expertise with our teaching methods, we aim to create a more comprehensive learning experience and a stronger educational framework for students across the metropolitan region. We believe this move will not only enhance our offerings but also broaden our impact on the educational landscape," Arihant Academy Managing Director Anil Kapasi added. Kunal Pathak, Partne

Byju's in trouble again as SC scraps NCLAT ruling on insolvency proceedings

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud revoked the NCLAT's approval of Byju's settlement of Rs 158.9 cr in outstanding dues to the BCCI

Aakash to invest Rs 100 crore to rebuild Aakash Digital in 2 years

Test preparatory firm Aakash Educational Services plans to invest around Rs 100 crore in rebuilding and scaling up its edtech unit Aakash Digital after it has come out of the control of beleaguered edtech company BYJU'S, managing director and CEO Deepak Mehrotra said. In an interview to PTI, Mehrotra said that as part of Aakash 2.0 journey, the company will scale up Aakash Digital classrooms to cater to students across the country including in those areas where it is not feasible to set up physical rooms. "We have brought the Aakash Digital Program back under Aakash, we are building on it and investing heavily. We believe that over the next 18 to 24 months, we will be spending close to Rs 100 crore on building this programme -- investing in technology, content, teacher capabilities, and delivery. This investment will go into the Aakash Digital Classroom Program," Mehrotra said. BYJU's had acquired a majority stake in Aakash Educational Services (AESL) in April 2021 but due to ...

Great Learning registers 23% revenue growth at $118 million in FY24

EdTech company Great Learning on Monday said it has registered a 23 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue to USD 118 million (about Rs 992 crore) in the financial year 2024. The company said it has registered growth on account of upskilling demand for artificial intelligence and business gains in the US and Europe. "Revenue was USD 118 million, and both EBITDA and net profit were positive for the fiscal year," the company said in a statement. Great Learning was acquired by Byju's in 2021. In Oct 2023, its financial lenders took control of Byju's ownership in Great Learning to safeguard and protect it, the statement said "The company's noteworthy performance in FY24 comes on the back of its emergence as a leading global provider of AI upskilling while maintaining a sharp focus on profitability. Great Learning continues to see robust growth in international markets, such as North America and Europe," the statement said. Founded 11 years ago, Great Learning offers professional ...