How the 21-year old founders of Padhle are revolutionising e-learning

Adgully has been turning the spotlight on the entrepreneurs who fought against all odds to bring their dreams to fruition in our special series – START-UP STARS. We at Adgully wholeheartedly support the ‘Vocal for Local’ movement and have been featuring numerous local/ homegrown businesses, brands, and Apps in the country launched in the last few years.

The inception of ‘Padhle’, an EdTech startup, was fueled by a shared dedication of Pranay Chouhan and Atharva Puranik to revolutionise the concept of e-learning. During the early stages of e-learning, the educational landscape lacked the necessary engagement to capture students’ attention. Witnessing this, the two 21-year young founders from Madhya Pradesh joined forces in 2020 and established ‘Padhle’.

In conversation with Adgully, Atharva Puranik and Pranay Chouhan, Co-Founders, Padhle, speak about the growth and entrepreneurial journey of Padhle, providing accessible and effective learning experiences, empowering students, prioritising interactive learning, and more.

What inspired the founding of your start-up, and what problem did you set out to solve?

Padhle’s mission is to make education universally accessible and ensure everyone can benefit regardless of the circumstances. The primary goal is to fulfil students’ needs by providing essential educational resources, including handwritten notes and other study materials. The Ed-tech startup recognised that the concept of e-learning required transformation to become more than just a digitised version of traditional education.

Could you provide an overview of your product/ service and its unique features or benefits?

At Padhle, our primary offering revolves around two courses which are designed for students studying in grades 9th and 10th, along with a combo course that covers both grades. Our Ed-tech startup’s goal is to empower students with a learning experience that not only aligns with their current curriculum, but also prepares them for future academic challenges. The fee structure for Pahle courses is affordable, making quality education accessible to a wide range of students. We firmly believe that economic constraints should not hinder anyone’s pursuit of knowledge, and this belief is reflected in our pricing model.

The target audience is diverse and spans beyond the confines of Tier 2 and 3 cities, our reach extends to Tier 1 regions, where the audience generally possesses greater economic capabilities. The inclusive nature of our YouTube channel features contents primarily in the Hindi language for students’ comfort, contributing to attracting a broad demographic. Our content is designed to resonate with students from various regions, with a particular emphasis on reaching individuals in the southern parts of India. Our value lies not only in the academic content we deliver, but also in our commitment to breaking geographical and economic barriers.

How does your startup differentiate itself from competitors in the market?

What sets us apart from our competitors is our unwavering commitment to redefining the learning experience. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on monotonous lectures, Padhle prioritises interactive learning, transforming lessons into engaging conversations. We provide a unique approach to note-taking and questioning, presenting information in meme formats. This ensures that students do not have to cram specific formulas, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective. This also cultivates a unique mindset among students, encouraging them to embrace the school learning approach with enthusiasm.

We recognise and tackle the challenges students face in academics and their mental and emotional worlds. It is a support system that prepares our students for the complexities of both academics and life beyond. In a market saturated with options, we stand out by providing accessible education that resonates with students from various backgrounds. By offering courses at a reasonable cost, we ensure that quality education is within reach.

What milestones has your company achieved so far, and what are your future growth plans?

Padhle has positioned itself as a prominent player in the ed-tech sector. As of now, Padhle’s primary focus is on doubling their net revenue in FY24 with a targeted approach toward students in grades 9th and 10th. The ed-tech startup is proud of the financial growth they have experienced and is determined to build on this success in the coming year.

Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for expansion and diversification. We aim to broaden our course offerings by including content that is specifically made for students studying in grades 11 and 12. Additionally, recognising the diverse needs of learners, the ed-tech venture plans to introduce crash course materials which are specifically designed for college students. We are eagerly planning to launch our NEET, JEE, and other courses, enabling students to concurrently prepare for them alongside their regular school studies.

Over the next five years, Padhle aspires to become a go-to platform for students globally. By continuously innovating and expanding educational offerings, we aim to establish ourselves as a comprehensive and reliable resource for learners at different stages of an academic journey.

How has the startup evolved since its inception, and what challenges have you overcome along the way?

Since its inception, Padhle has undergone a significant evolution which was marked by both financial growth and strategic advancements. In FY22, our net revenue from operations reached Rs 43 lakh, with a notable profit after tax of Rs 4.8 lakh. This growth continued to FY23, where Padhle achieved a remarkable milestone by earning Rs 3 crore in revenue. In FY23, we took a bold step to diversify our courses by selling a significant portion of the intellectual property to another medium. This included the sale of courses for six months, contributing to the overall financial success of the platform.

However, Padhle’s journey has not been without challenges. Establishing an online presence during the COVID-19 pandemic presented a hurdle that we navigated strategically. Moreover, competing with larger ventures in the ed-tech space posed its own set of challenges. Breaking the barriers associated with transforming traditional teaching methods also proved to be a formidable task. But despite these challenges, Padhle has remained committed to innovation and the core mission of providing accessible and effective education. And as we continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of traditional education and ensuring that our platform remains a beacon for accessible learning for students across diverse backgrounds.

How does your startup contribute to the industry or community you operate in?

Padhle’s commitment to the education industry goes beyond providing courses. One of the key contributions is the transformation in their teaching approach. The young founders recognised the need to shift from the traditional teacher-student model to a friendlier and more relatable style. This includes using memes in study material and creating an atmosphere that is not only educational but also enjoyable and easy-going.

Our content presentation reflects their commitment to a conversational style which creates a more engaging and interactive learning experience. This approach not only helps in better knowledge retention but also makes the learning journey more interesting for students. By infusing elements of familiarity and relatability into study materials, we contribute to breaking down barriers that might hinder students’ enthusiasm for learning. In short, Padhle’s contribution to the industry and community encompasses a redefined teaching approach, technological innovation and a commitment to create an engaging and fun learning experience.

What problem does your startup solve?

Padhle is dedicated to solving multiple challenges within the educational sector. Starting with our aim to transform the traditional educational landscape by innovating teaching methods. As young founders, we understood that conventional learning often falls into the trap of monotonous and boring teacher-like patterns and Padhle seeks to break away from this norm and make the learning experience fun and engaging.

Another critical problem was the impact of academic pressure on students’ mental health. We go beyond academic content to promote mental well-being and understand the overall development of students. We offer exclusive meet-ups and Zoom interaction sessions for students in group settings, as well as one-on-one sessions. This provides students with the opportunity to share not only academic challenges but also personal issues they may be experiencing.

How much funding has the company raised, and from which investors?

As of now, Padhle is totally a bootstrapped venture, initiated with an initial investment of Rs 2,000. We entirely relied on our own resources and strategic financial management to drive growth and innovation. We are committed to building a sustainable and independent venture that can thrive based on the merit of ideas and values that ed-tech ventures provide to its users. While external funding may be considered in the future to support ambitious expansion plans for now, we are only dedicated to organic growth and financial independence.

Who are your target customers, and how are you acquiring them?

Target customers at Padhle are students aged 13 to 18 years, primarily encompassing high school and early college years. This demographic represents a critical stage in academic development where educational support and guidance are important. The platform is designed to cater to the unique needs of students within this age group. To acquire customers, Padhle employs a multi-faceted approach. This includes targeted marketing efforts to reach students directly, using digital channels and social media platforms frequented by the demographic. Additionally, word-of-mouth referrals and positive reviews play a significant role in acquiring new customers, as satisfied students share their experiences with peers.

What are the major challenges the company faces currently?

Padhle currently faces significant challenges that demand strategic attention for the company’s sustainable growth. The pressing issue of limited time poses a barrier to exploring new exam segments and hinders the company’s ability to tap into emerging markets. Additionally, Padhle is grappling with the need to expand its team to cope with a burgeoning workload. The high demand for its services necessitates a larger workforce, and failure to address this issue promptly could potentially impede the company’s ability to meet the growing demands of its clientele. These challenges underscore the importance of strategic planning and resource allocation for Padhle to effectively navigate its current obstacles and continue on a trajectory of sustained growth.

What is the background and expertise of the founding team?

Pranay Chouhan and Atharva Puranik, co-founders of Padhle, were childhood friends. After completing their school, Pranay pursued a B.Tech degree, while Atharva realised that the traditional path didn’t align with his passion and goals, leading him to drop out from college.

Pranay contributes technical expertise and insights gained from his B.Tech degree, and Atharva’s experience adds a unique perspective to their ed-tech startup. The founders’ diverse backgrounds and shared passion motivated them to create a platform that empowers students and also adapts to the changing educational landscape.

What is the company’s growth plan and vision for the future?

Padhle envisions dynamic growth and an expansive future in the ed-tech landscape. The company’s growth plan revolves around diversifying its offerings and expanding its reach to make a significant impact on education globally. In the immediate future, we aim to enhance its courses by including content that is created for students in grades 11 and 12, broadening the scope to cover various educational streams. Additionally, the introduction of crash course materials specifically designed for college students is on the horizon, addressing the needs of learners at higher academic levels. We envision ourselves as a catalyst for positive change in the education sector, continuously innovating teaching methods, and overcoming conventional learning barriers.

How does the company measure success, and what are its key performance indicators (KPIs)?

Padhle measures its success primarily through the lens of student satisfaction and learning outcomes. Our ed-tech venture’s KPIs revolve around the impact we make on users’ educational journey and one of the most crucial metrics is student feedback. We take it very seriously as it is the student who directly engages with Padhle’s platform and courses.

In addition to feedback, we monitor learning outcomes and engagement metrics. The effectiveness of the courses, the level of student engagement, and the impact on academic performance are critical indicators for success. These KPIs allow Padhle to assess the real-world impact of educational content and ensure that it aligns with the mission of providing accessible and effective learning experiences.