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Unacademy to pivot from company operated centres to a franchise model

EntrackrEntrackr · 17d ago
Unacademy to pivot from company operated centres to a franchise model
Medial

Unacademy to pivot from company operated centres to a franchise model Unacademy's Gaurav Munjal added that several major exam preparation verticals such as UPSC, NEET PG and CAT have turned contribution margin positive. Edtech unicorn Unacademy is recalibrating its business with a sharper focus on profitable growth after a year of significant cost correction, according to an internal email sent by co-founder and CEO Gaurav Munjal to employees. In the communication, Munjal said that Unacademy reduced its test prep burn to around Rs 200 crore in calendar year 2024 from nearly Rs 450 crore earlier. The reduction followed a series of operational changes including shutting down underperforming initiatives and prioritising core businesses. He added that several major exam preparation verticals such as UPSC, NEET PG and CAT have turned contribution margin positive. Munjal further added that PrepLadder and Graphy were cash flow positive for the full year. Meanwhile, language learning platform Airlearn scaled its annual recurring revenue from about $200,000 at the start of 2025 to nearly $3 million by the end of the year. As part of its restructuring, Unacademy plans to exit its company operated offline centre business over the coming months by converting these centres into franchise partnerships. According to Munjal, the franchise model allows local operators to manage operations while Unacademy provides academics, technology and reach. He said the transition is expected to be completed by April, after which the company will have a significantly leaner cost structure. The internal email comes shortly after the acquisition talks between Unacademy and upGrad were called off due to valuation differences. The discussions had been underway for several months amid a broader slowdown in edtech deal activity and valuation resets across the startup ecosystem. upGrad co-founder Ronnie Screwvala later confirmed that the deal did not materialise. Munjal said the calendar year 2026 would be focused on growth rather than survival, with improving unit economics across online test prep and faster than expected growth in Airlearn. He added that Unacademy is now positioned to scale with greater financial discipline.

Competishun aims to help make IIT-JEE, NEET prep affordable, more accessible

EntrackrEntrackr · 1y ago
Competishun aims to help make IIT-JEE, NEET prep affordable, more accessible
Medial

Edtech space in India is already quite cluttered with a number of startups, including several unicorns, trying to carve out their own piece of the digital classroom pie. The Indian edtech market reported a total revenue of $4.3 billion in 2022, marking a CAGR of 16.8% since 2017, according to a market study. Even as some late-stage edtech firms faced challenges post-pandemic, others like PhysicsWallah have shown promise. VCs too remain optimistic about early-stage firms. One such early-stage firm is Competishun, which competes with platforms like Vedantu and Unacademy, but with an exclusive focus on IIT-JEE and NEET prep. We spoke to the founder and CEO of Competishun Mohit Kumar Tyagi, what distinguishes it from the competition and the roadmap ahead. Here are the edited excerpts: How did you come up with the idea of Competishun? The idea for Competishun emerged from a vision to transform IIT-JEE and NEET coaching methodology by offering comprehensive and effective preparation methods to students across India. We recognized the need for accessible, high-quality training at affordable cost that could level the playing field for all students, irrespective of their financial backgrounds. Please explain how the platform works? Competishun’s platform functions by providing structured online and offlinecourses, study materials, and books for JEE (Main + Advanced) and NEET(UG) preparation. We aim to create a comfortable learning environment for students through online education at an affordable cost. Our platform offers customized online batches based on students’ needs and performance, with doubt-solving counters and 24/7 support via WhatsApp and phone. Additionally, we provide personalized attention to enrolled students through Telegram doubt sessions and live Zoom sessions, ensuring their academic success. What are the key challenges in the industry that have not been addressed yet? And how do you plan to address them? One significant challenge in the industry is the lack of personalized learning experiences and the underutilization of technology. Competishun addresses this by offering adaptive learning algorithms, personalized study plans, and utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance the learning experience. We strive to provide cost-effective, quality education to all JEE and NEET aspirants at the comfort of their homes, dispelling the myth that online education cannot yield results. Moreover, we aim to counter unethical practices by competitors in the online space, thereby instilling confidence in parents and students regarding online learning. How has your startup performed since inception? What are your short-term and long-term goals? Since its inception, Competishun has witnessed significant growth in terms of user enrollment, JEE Main and Advanced results, course completion rates, and positive feedback from students and educators. We take pride in having assisted thousands of students in achieving their academic goals. In the short term, our goals include expanding our course offerings, enhancing platform features, and strengthening our market presence. In the long term, we envision establishing hybrid study centers across the nation, thereby providing a blended learning experience to students.

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