While the edtech sector in India has faced difficulties in recent years, one leader in the space continues to thrive. Physics Wallah, a popular online learning platform, has secured $210 million in new funding. This Series B round valued the startup at an impressive $2.8 billion.
Founded in 2016 as a free YouTube channel by teacher Alakh Pandey, Physics Wallah now serves over 46 million students across India. It offers live and recorded video lessons covering a wide range of school subjects and entrance exams. What began as a grassroots effort to make quality education accessible has grown into a full-fledged edtech company.
Physics Wallah’s affordable pricing starting at just $50 per year has helped fuel its tremendous growth. More than 5.5 million students are now paying subscribers of the platform. It reported revenue of $96 million for 2023 and growth of 2.5 times the year prior. With a focus on important national exams in fields like engineering, medicine and government work, Physics Wallah dominates the Indian edtech market in certain areas.
While concerns emerged regarding oversaturation and profitability in the sector following issues at major players like Unacademy and BYJU’S, Physics Wallah has thrived. Investors see opportunities in the company’s emphasis on affordability and omnichannel approach combining online and offline offerings. With the new capital, Physics Wallah intends to further build out its course catalog and potentially pursue acquisitions.
It seems this Indian edtech leader has successfully differentiated itself amid a challenging funding landscape. By developing local language content and maintaining competitive pricing, Physics Wallah continues advancing access to quality education nationwide. Its story shows how passion and solving real user problems can translate into meaningful impact and sustained success.