Unacademy is now one of India’s top online e-learning platforms that is helping millions of students prepare for competitive exams like UPSC, IIT-JEE, and NEET. It started to make quality education available to everyone, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Let’s take a look at how Unacademy grew from a small YouTube channel into a massive online learning community.
A YouTube Start
The journey of this startup started back in 2010 when Gaurav Munjal began posting educational videos on YouTube. The goal was to help students prepare for their exams without spending a lot of money on coaching centers. As the channel grew in popularity, Gaurav teamed up with Roman Saini, a doctor and former IAS officer, and Hemesh Singh, a tech expert, to grow it further. In 2015, they officially launched Unacademy as an edtech company.
Becoming a Big Player
Since its launch, it has seen incredible growth. By 2022, the platform had more than 10,000 educators and 13 million students. It also introduced a paid subscription service called Unacademy Plus, which offers live classes, mock tests, and one-on-one mentoring.
It hit a major milestone in 2020 when it became a unicorn—a company valued at over $1 billion—after raising $150 million from investors like Softbank. This made the company, one of India’s most valuable edtech companies.
Learning Anytime, Anywhere
One of the best things about this educational platform is that students can learn whenever and wherever they want. Whether it’s a live class or a recorded video, students can watch lessons at their own pace. This flexibility makes it easier for students to fit learning into their busy schedules.
Unacademy offers lessons in subjects like UPSC, IIT-JEE, and NEET, and its educators are experts in their fields. Some of them, like Roman Saini, have even worked as civil servants, bringing real-world experience to their teaching.
Affordable Education for All
Unacademy’s mission is to make education accessible and affordable. Many of its lessons are free, and even the paid services are much cheaper than traditional coaching centers. This has made it a popular choice for students across India, especially those preparing for competitive exams.
For those who want extra support, Unacademy Plus offers more features like practice tests, live Q&A sessions, and personal mentors to guide them through their studies.
Unacademy Store: Going Offline
In 2023, Unacademy opened its first physical store in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. At the Unacademy Store, students can explore the platform’s services and get help from staff members. This move shows how Unacademy is expanding beyond the digital world to reach even more learners.
UNSAT: Scholarships for Students
It also supports students through its Unacademy National Scholarship Admission Test (UNSAT). Launched in 2023, this scholarship test helps students aiming for IIT-JEE and NEET. By offering scholarships, Unacademy makes sure that financial barriers don’t stop students from achieving their dreams.
Using AI for Better Learning
Unacademy is always looking for ways to improve the learning experience. In April 2023, the platform introduced an AI content editor, called “CohesiveAI” to help students and educators create and edit content more easily. This tool is part of Unacademy’s effort to use technology to make learning better and more efficient.
Challenges Along the Way
Like many online platforms, they faced challenges too, as students started going back to physical classrooms after the pandemic. With fewer students studying online, the company had to cut down on staff. Despite these difficulties, it remains a major force in online education, with a $3.44 billion valuation as of 2022.
The company continues to focus on providing quality education at an affordable price, helping students across India reach their full potential.
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