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Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah receives SEBI nod for IPO

EntrackrEntrackr · 1m ago
Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah receives SEBI nod for IPO
Medial

Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah receives SEBI nod for IPO Backed by investors including Lightspeed, WestBridge, Hornbill Capital, and GSV Ventures, PhysicsWallah has an estimated valuation of $2.8 billion. Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its pre-IPO draft filing, clearing a major regulatory hurdle on its path to public markets. The Noida-based company submitted its draft under SEBI’s confidential route in March this year. With this approval, PhysicsWallah is set to raise around Rs 4,600 crore (about $533 million) through a mix of fresh issuance and an offer for sale, joining the pipeline of new-age tech firms eyeing the bourses in 2025. Backed by investors including Lightspeed, WestBridge, Hornbill Capital, and GSV Ventures, PhysicsWallah has an estimated valuation of $2.8 billion. It will also become the first edtech unicorn to hit the stock exchange. In March, the company inducted three independent directors to its board to align with public company norms and best practices. Last month, it also appointed Satish Sharma as Chief Marketing Officer to bolster its brand strategy and expansion plans. PhysicsWallah also completed its conversion to a public entity this year, a prerequisite for listing on the Indian stock exchanges. The move is part of the company’s broader strategy to institutionalize operations as it prepares for public scrutiny and capital market participation. While the company has yet to file its annual financial statements for FY25, it posted revenue of Rs 1,940.4 crore for FY24 with a loss of Rs 375 crore. The company has a deep focus on offline operations and expects to clock more than Rs 1,000 crore in revenue from this segment. It also plans to open more centres in both existing and new cities. The development comes at a time when the edtech sector is struggling in terms of fundraising and scaling. However, PhysicsWallah’s IPO will mark a significant milestone for the Indian edtech sector, potentially paving the way for more tech startups to test the public markets.

Exclusive: PhysicsWallah in talks to acquire Drishti IAS for Rs 2,500 Cr

EntrackrEntrackr · 4m ago
Exclusive: PhysicsWallah in talks to acquire Drishti IAS for Rs 2,500 Cr
Medial

Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah is in the advanced stages of acquiring offline coaching firm Drishti IAS Institute, according to three sources familiar with the matter. If finalized, this will mark the largest acquisition in the edtech space in the past couple of years. “PhysicsWallah is spending around Rs 2,500–3,000 crore to acquire the UPSC and state commissions preparatory platform,” said one of the sources, requesting anonymity. “The two companies have been in talks since January this year, and the deal is likely to be finalized soon.” The development comes at a time when PhysicsWallah is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO). The Noida-based company recently appointed three independent directors and is aiming to raise $500 million at a $5 billion valuation through the public listing. According to sources, the payment for the deal will be made in tranches and will be tied to future performance milestones. “Although we have been meeting several people from different organisations (IPO Bankers, PEs & Edtech founders) for our future plans, nothing has been finalized so far. The information you are talking about is just a rumour which shouldn't be taken seriously at all,” said Vivek Tiwari, CEO, Drishti IAS. Queries sent to PhysicsWallah did not elicit an immediate response. Drishti IAS, a 26-year-old educational platform that mainly provides offline coaching to help students prepare for the Civil Services Examination (CSE), reported Rs 405 crore in revenue with Rs 90 crore profit after tax (PAT) in FY24. Founded by Vikas Divyakirti, the Mukherjee Nagar Institute is the largest revenue contributor for Drishti IAS, accounting for 58% of the total coaching income, followed by Prayagraj, Jaipur, and Karol Bagh. On the other hand, nine-year-old PhysicsWallah has expanded into a full-fledged edtech platform offering live and recorded lectures, test series, study materials, and offline hybrid centers. The firm has raised over $300 million to date and was valued at around $2.8 billion during a $210 million Series B round in September last year. PhysicsWallah’s revenue from operations surged to Rs 1,940.4 crore in FY24, compared to Rs 744.3 crore in FY23. However, following the rising expenditure, its losses deepened over 13X to Rs 1,131 crore in FY24 against Rs 84 crore reported in FY23. The potential deal aligns with PhysicsWallah’s focus on offline coaching. Last year, the Lightspeed and WestBridge-backed company stated that it aims to achieve over Rs 1,000 crore in offline revenue by the end of FY25.

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