From Chalkboard to Unicorn: The Byju Raveendran Story

From Chalkboard to Unicorn: The Byju Raveendran Story

What can every business leader learn from Byju Raveendran, who transformed a side project into one of the largest learning platforms in the world?

As a business owner, you understand that successful enterprises do not begin with financial resources. They begin with intent.

That's how Byju Raveendran, a humble teacher from a small town in Kerala, unintentionally built a billion-dollar education empire.

Yes, it is correct. BYJU'S, a popular learning app with over 150 million users worldwide, began in a living room rather than a boardroom. With a whiteboard. And some math problems.

Not an MBA. No funds. Just one outstanding instructor.

Byju Raveendran was raised in the little village of Azhikode, where his parents were teachers at nearby schools.

One day, while visiting home, a few friends requested Byju to help them study for the CAT, a highly competitive exam for admission to Indian MBA programs.

He agreed. He explained things so simply that his friends not only understood, but also passed with high marks.

He started thinking: "Why not attempt an assessment personally, simply to get an idea what it's like?"

He did. And, guess what?

He scored a perfect grade. Not once. But twice.

Word got out. 

From a single room to stadiums

Following that, an increasing number of students began seeking his assistance. He was forced to lecture in stadiums and auditoriums due to the size of his classes. His arithmetic lessons would draw thousands of students!

Is that even possible?

No projector. No PowerPoint. Just his enthusiasm, art and a whiteboard. He added enjoyment to learning. He told tales, made jokes, and gave instances from real life. Above all, he gave kids hope that they could learn anything.

The BYJU’s 

That's where most people would end now. Byju Raveendran, however, posed a crucial business query: "How can I make this experience scalable?"

He observed the disparity in education, with learners in rural areas being left behind because elite teachers were only found in urban areas. He therefore switched to digital.

His BYJU'S app, which combines gamified learning, storytelling, and animation, was released in 2015.

Not using chalk. No undue pressure. Students learned on their own terms.

Students from all around India were logging in within months. Children could now learn from anyplace, even if they lived far from a reputable school. despite their lack of additional support, sluggish learning speed, or shyness. Learning was like watching a pleasant performance thanks to the app. You could repeat, rewind, and pause until it made sense.

The program was widely used, but more significantly, it was trusted.

Moving Global

Byju's journey did not end in India. He made audacious steps to reach new markets by acquiring U.S.-based learning systems such as Osmo and Epic.

He made big hire, raised billions from leading international investors. Soon, BYJU'S was a household name in education, competing with industry titans but remaining loyal to its teaching roots.

Byju remained grounded throughout its journey. He once remarked, "I'm not a businessman." "As a teacher, I use business to scale impact."

What Byju's tale may teach entrepreneurs !

Byju's narrative is more than just motivational. It is jam-packed with practical business lessons: 

Let's start with value: He addressed an actual issue rather than pursuing financial gain.

Start small, grow quickly: Every stage, from in-person classes to live stadiums to the app, expanded on what had already proven successful.

Be user-obsessed: He considered his students just users, he made their learning his mission.

Recognize your strengths: He did not try to do everything all by himself. He chose to stay the face of learning but hired professionals to grow the company.

Purpose sells: His genuineness to his projects drew top talent and investors. 

Final thought

Not every company will achieve unicorn status. Not all educators will go on to become CEOs.

However, Byju's journey serves as a potent reminder of:

It's not necessary to have the "perfect" plan. All you have to do is begin.

Serve efficiently. Scale wisely. Remain loyal.

Because the best of businesses are those not with the largest amount of commercial profit but with the biggest impact. Money then follows through. 

Have a heartfelt idea? A service that people actually need? Just start and who knows what the universe has in store for you: Maybe, your story might be the next big one!!.