Aakash Institute founder Aakash Chaudhry has garnered support from leading names in the consumer tech space, including Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal and Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath. As reported by The Economic Times, Kamath’s Rainmatter fund, known for its focus on fintech and sustainability, joined Goyal in contributing to a $4 million seed funding round for Chaudhry’s latest venture, Sparkl Edventure. Additional high-profile investors are expected to join this funding round.
Collaboration with Meritnation Founders
Launched in October, Sparkl is a partnership between Chaudhry and Meritnation.com founders Pavan Chauhan and Ritesh Hemrajani. Meritnation, acquired by Chaudhry’s family business, Aakash Educational Services Ltd (AESL), in 2020, plays a significant role in this initiative. This venture follows the landmark $950 million sale of AESL to Byju’s in 2021, with Chaudhry retaining an 11% stake in AESL.
What Sparkl Offers
Sparkl focuses on personalized one-on-one online tutoring for students in grades 6 to 12. The platform specializes in International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge curricula, offering instruction in subjects like mathematics, science, languages, and business studies. Currently operational, Sparkl caters to students from Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Singapore, with plans for further expansion driven by advanced technology.
Early Launch and Growth Plans
Initially set for a 2025 launch, Sparkl was fast-tracked after completing product development ahead of schedule. The recent seed funding will accelerate its rollout and growth plans.
A Digital-First Approach
Unlike AESL’s offline test preparation model, Sparkl is a fully digital platform designed for international curricula and study-abroad aspirations. Beyond academics, Sparkl integrates mental health support through monthly well-being sessions to address stress and peer pressure among students, setting it apart in the edtech landscape.
With its strong backing and innovative approach, Sparkl Edventure is positioned to make a significant impact in the global edtech space.
