Aakash Education, owned by BYJU’S, is projected to have achieved an operating revenue surpassing INR 2,000 Cr in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. According to Aakash’s valuation report filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the coaching institute is expected to have reported an operating revenue of INR 2,325.1 Cr for FY23, marking a significant increase of approximately 63% from the INR 1,421.2 Cr reported in FY22.
Despite this growth, the FY23 operating revenue falls short of BYJU’S initial estimates. In April 2023, BYJU’S announced that Aakash was anticipated to conclude FY23 with a revenue of INR 3,000 Cr.
It’s important to note that while the FY23 figures are unaudited, the FY22 financial numbers were audited, indicating potential discrepancies between the disclosed figures and the actual audited results for FY23.
Meanwhile, Aakash’s revenue for the first eight months of FY24 amounted to INR 1,702.1 Cr, as per the valuation report.
In terms of profitability, Aakash recorded a profit of INR 330 Cr in FY23 based on unaudited numbers, marking a substantial increase of nearly 300% compared to the audited net profit of INR 79.5 Cr in FY22.
Additionally, Aakash’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) stood at INR 347.5 Cr in FY23 and INR 122.4 Cr in the first eight months of FY24, as per the report.
Employee benefit expenditure emerged as the largest expense for Aakash, amounting to INR 1,204.5 Cr in FY23 and INR 970.5 Cr in the first eight months of FY24. This represents a notable increase from the INR 722.8 Cr spent on employee benefits in FY22.
Infrastructure costs, including rent for coaching centers, totaled INR 296.9 Cr in FY23 and INR 250.8 Cr in April-November 2023.
Overall, Aakash’s total operational expenses reached INR 1,977.6 Cr in FY23 and INR 1,579.7 Cr in the first eight months of FY24.
Recent reports indicate a shift in ownership dynamics, with Ranjan Pai, chairman of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), poised to become the largest shareholder in Aakash with a 40% stake. This follows the board’s approval earlier in the year to convert a $300 Mn investment by Pai into equity, valuing the company at approximately $700 Mn and eliminating its outstanding debt.
These developments underscore the evolving landscape of the edtech sector and the strategic maneuvers within key players like BYJU’S and Aakash Education.
