Journey of Physics Wallah stands out as a shining star in India’s educational technology landscape. Amidst a sea of ventures struggling to turn a profit, this company stands tall as the sole profitable unicorn in the nation. Impressively, its revenue surged to Rs 780 crore in the last financial year, marking a remarkable 300% increase from the preceding year’s Rs 233 crore. Currently eyeing a revenue target of Rs 2,500 crore for the ongoing fiscal year, Physics Wallah is on a trajectory of unprecedented growth.
The company’s journey to unicorn status was solidified when it secured a monumental $100 million investment last year, valuing it at a staggering $1.1 billion (Rs 9,000 crore). Notably, Physics Wallah holds the distinction of being the 101st Indian company to attain unicorn status. At its helm is Alakh Pandey, a visionary who forged his path despite his unconventional background as an engineering dropout and former tutor and YouTuber.
Journey of Physics Wallah
Pandey’s story begins with his departure from a prestigious engineering college in Kanpur during his third year, after which he found himself teaching physics at a coaching institute in his hometown of Allahabad, earning a humble Rs 5000 as his first salary. Recognizing the importance of engaging teaching methods, Pandey infused his classes with humor, believing that effective teaching transcends mere knowledge and requires liveliness, humor, a touch of sarcasm, and discipline.
His unique teaching style endeared him to students, leading him to launch his own YouTube channel in 2016. Rapidly gaining popularity, Pandey became a household name in smaller cities, not only imparting knowledge but also inspiring students, albeit amidst some controversy. His YouTube channel experienced exponential growth, skyrocketing from 4,000 subscribers in 2017 to a staggering 2.2 million by 2019.
In 2020, Pandey joined forces with Pratik Maheshwari to establish a company. Their debut offering, a preparatory package for Class 12 students priced at Rs 999, garnered overwhelming demand, causing the mobile app to crash. Despite facing challenges such as attempts by competitors to poach his teachers with lucrative offers, Pandey’s commitment to providing affordable education prevailed.
In June 2022, Physics Wallah made headlines by securing a monumental $100 million investment, valuing the company at $1.1 billion (Rs 750 crore), thereby cementing its status as the only profitable unicorn in the ed-tech realm. Pandey’s journey, marked by perseverance and resilience, is a testament to the transformative power of education.
Born into modest circumstances, Pandey began offering tuitions since Class 8 to support his family. Despite financial hardships exacerbated by his father’s business setbacks, Pandey’s determination remained unyielding. Unable to afford preparation for the IIT entrance exam, he defied the odds, ultimately achieving unparalleled success alongside co-founder Prateek Maheshwari. Today, their net worth stands at an impressive Rs 4,000 crore each, according to Hurun, underscoring their remarkable ascent from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial excellence.
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