Skip to main content

Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah acquires Xylem in regional expansion push

PhysicsWallah has acquired Xylem Learning as the Indian edtech unicorn pushes to cement its presence in the southern regions of India, TechCrunch has learned and confirmed.

PhysicsWallah, backed by WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures, valued the acquisition deal at about $30 million, according to a person familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to discuss nonpublic information.

The two firms confirmed the acquisition, but declined to comment on the pricing. PhysicsWallah said in a statement that it will invest as much as 5 billion Indian rupees, or $61 million, to expand its presence in the southern Indian states.

Headquartered in Kerala, Xylem has cultivated a considerable presence across the southern Indian state by providing free classes to around 3 million students preparing for competitive engineering college entrance exams. Its operations, like those of PhysicsWallah, have been largely bootstrapped, creating an advantageous match for both entities.

Xylem, which operates 30 YouTube channels as well as offline centers, plans to expand to several more Southern Indian states post the acquisition.

Many edtech firms in India have faced regional roadblocks with north-south dichotomies over the years. With Xylem’s acquisition, PhysicsWallah hopes to mitigate these geographical challenges.

Alakh Pandey, PhysicsWallah’s founder and chief executive, spoke highly of the two startups’ parallel operational paths, dubbing Xylem as the “PhysicsWallah of the South.” Pandey said the acquisition will act as a catalyst propelling the company toward becoming the foremost education platform in South India.

“With an investment of INR 500 crore and combining our strengths and expertise, we have the remarkable opportunity to enhance the learning experience for JEE/NEET aspirants in South India, bridging the gap in quality education and expanding our addressable market in the region.”

Dr. Ananthu S, founder and chief executive of Xylem, said the startup aims to achieve a revenue of $36.6 million with a 25% EBIDTA in the financial year ending March 2024. The firm reported a revenue of $18 million in the financial year that ended in March.

“By combining our efforts, we firmly believe that we can create a significant positive impact on the lives of aspiring students preparing for NEET and JEE exams. This partnership is driven by the principles of affordability, trust, and the democratization of education. Our ultimate objective is to provide students with the best learning resources and unwavering support throughout their educational journey.”

PhysicsWallah, which started with a meager investment and a YouTube channel, offers quality education courses to students at affordable prices. Unlike its bigger rivals that levy a fee as high as tens of thousands of dollars for a course, PhysicsWallah charges students as low as $4. Founder Pandey’s charisma and lucid teaching have also amassed him a devoted following.

Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah acquires Xylem in regional expansion push by Manish Singh originally published on TechCrunch



source https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/17/edtech-unicorn-physicswallah-acquires-xylem-in-regional-expansion-push/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Apple’s AI Push: Everything We Know About Apple Intelligence So Far

Apple’s WWDC 2025 confirmed what many suspected: Apple is finally making a serious leap into artificial intelligence. Dubbed “Apple Intelligence,” the suite of AI-powered tools, enhancements, and integrations marks the company’s biggest software evolution in a decade. But unlike competitors racing to plug AI into everything, Apple is taking a slower, more deliberate approach — one rooted in privacy, on-device processing, and ecosystem synergy. If you’re wondering what Apple Intelligence actually is, how it works, and what it means for your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you’re in the right place. This article breaks it all down.   What Is Apple Intelligence? Let’s get the terminology clear first. Apple Intelligence isn’t a product — it’s a platform. It’s not just a chatbot. It’s a system-wide integration of generative AI, machine learning, and personal context awareness, embedded across Apple’s OS platforms. Think of it as a foundational AI layer stitched into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and m...

The Silent Revolution of On-Device AI: Why the Cloud Is No Longer King

Introduction For years, artificial intelligence has meant one thing: the cloud. Whether you’re asking ChatGPT a question, editing a photo with AI tools, or getting recommendations on Netflix — those decisions happen on distant servers, not your device. But that’s changing. Thanks to major advances in silicon, model compression, and memory architecture, AI is quietly migrating from giant data centres to the palm of your hand. Your phone, your laptop, your smartwatch — all are becoming AI engines in their own right. It’s a shift that redefines not just how AI works, but who controls it, how private it is, and what it can do for you. This article explores the rise of on-device AI — how it works, why it matters, and why the cloud’s days as the centre of the AI universe might be numbered. What Is On-Device AI? On-device AI refers to machine learning models that run locally on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or edge device — without needing constant access to the cloud. In practi...

Max Q: Psyche(d)

In this issue: SpaceX launches NASA asteroid mission, news from Relativity Space and more. © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/h6Kjrde via IFTTT