Aakash Chaudhry, former CEO of Aakash Educational Services Ltd (now part of Byju’s), is making a significant return to the Indian edtech landscape with the launch of Sparkl, a new AI-driven online learning platform. This marks Chaudhry’s comeback after his exit from Aakash, the test-preparation giant acquired by Byju’s in 2021, which was a turning point in both his career and the trajectory of the Indian edtech sector.
Sparkl, co-founded by Chaudhry and Pavan Chauhan, the co-founder of meritnation.com, focuses on providing one-on-one tutoring for students in grades 6 to 12, specifically targeting the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and IB (International Baccalaureate) curricula. These internationally recognized educational systems provide a significant opportunity for Sparkl, given the global market’s higher paying capacity and the tailored, high-quality learning experience that the platform promises to offer.
The startup has successfully secured seed funding from Rainmatter, the fund led by Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, and Deepinder Goyal, founder-CEO of Zomato. Although Chaudhry chose not to disclose the specific amount raised, he did reveal how the funds would be allocated: focusing on hiring top talent, investing in AI technology, and ramping up marketing efforts to spread the word about Sparkl.
Sparkl’s model combines advanced AI with personalized one-on-one tutoring, aiming to offer a more accessible and cost-effective solution compared to traditional offline tutoring. The platform targets an international market where tuition rates are typically higher, allowing Sparkl to position itself competitively. According to Chaudhry, the cost of a full-year curriculum for a single subject ranges between ₹2 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh, with additional support pushing it up to ₹3 lakh. These pricing points align with what families in international markets are accustomed to paying for high-quality education, particularly in the tutoring sector, which can range from ₹1,500 to ₹7,000 per hour.
Chaudhry’s decision to enter the international market stems from the challenges he encountered during his tenure at Aakash, where the company struggled to teach a highly heterogeneous group of students with varying backgrounds, IQ levels, and aspirations. He observed that the one-size-fits-all approach was ineffective in meeting the diverse needs of students, which led to the idea for Sparkl. The new venture aims to overcome these challenges by offering a more customized learning experience.
Unlike many of his competitors in the edtech space, Chaudhry remains confident in the efficacy of an online model, even as some edtech companies are shifting towards offline offerings post-pandemic. He believes that an online platform enables greater access to top-tier talent and helps keep costs low, making one-on-one sessions more affordable and scalable. Furthermore, the global nature of the tutoring market means that students are already accustomed to online educators from countries like Australia, the UK, and Singapore, making Sparkl’s international focus even more viable.
Chaudhry’s return to the edtech sector comes at a time when the industry is facing several challenges, including dwindling investor confidence and the post-pandemic shift in learning preferences. The pandemic-driven surge in demand for online education has subsided, and many edtech firms have been struggling with mounting losses from their aggressive growth strategies. This has been compounded by the difficulties faced by Byju’s, once a leading player in the edtech space, which has been dealing with internal challenges and financial issues.
Despite these challenges, Chaudhry is optimistic about Sparkl’s potential to redefine online learning by leveraging AI and personalization. With strong backing from prominent investors and a well-defined business model, Sparkl aims to cater to the growing demand for quality, accessible, and cost-effective tutoring solutions. As the platform expands, it has the opportunity to carve out a significant niche in the competitive edtech market, positioning itself as a leader in AI-powered, personalized education for students worldwide.
, is making a significant return to the Indian...){kind=link}