Alakh Pandey: EdTech Visionary’s Journey

Alakh Pandey, at 32 years old, has recently been named in the prestigious Hurun List of top young entrepreneurs under 35. His journey from a mere tutor to the founder of Physics Wallah demonstrates how hard work and dedication can lead to building a $2.8 billion empire.

Picture this: In 2016, a young man from Prayagraj sat in front of a camera, explaining the intricacies of physics to an almost invisible audience. Fast forward to today, and that same individual is at the helm of a $2.8 billion educational empire. Alakh’s story showcases that great things can emerge from humble beginnings.

From Classroom to YouTube

Alakh’s journey did not commence in a high-tech startup incubator. It began in the classrooms of Prayagraj, where he tutored younger students while still in school. By the time he reached the 11th grade, Alakh was already giving demo classes at local coaching centers. However, he had bigger dreams. In 2016, armed with a camera and a passion for teaching, he launched the YouTube channel “Physics Wallah – Alakh Pandey.”

Initially, it felt like shouting into the void. Yet, Alakh persisted, improving his content and connecting with students. Unbeknownst to him, he was laying the groundwork for an EdTech revolution.

The Big Break

The real breakthrough occurred in 2018 when Alakh launched the Physics Wallah app. Within days, it garnered over 35,000 users. It was as if he had discovered the Higgs boson of education—a way to make quality learning accessible to all.

Then came 2020 and the pandemic. While the world was collapsing, Physics Wallah was coming together. As students flocked to online learning, Alakh’s platform became their digital classroom.

By August 2022, Physics Wallah achieved unicorn status, valued at $1.1 billion. Yet, Alakh was not done. By September 2024, the company raised another $210 million, elevating its valuation to $2.8 billion.

Today, Physics Wallah is more than just a YouTube channel or an app. It has become an educational ecosystem with 31 million subscribers across 61 channels and 180 offline centers in 105 cities.

Alakh Pandey, now 32, remains as passionate about teaching as he was in his early YouTube days. He has upgraded his simple camera setup to state-of-the-art production but maintains the same goal: to provide quality education to every student in India.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Besides the recent Hurun List recognition, Alakh has received awards ranging from “Rising EdTech Startup of India” to a spot in the Times’ 40 Under 40 list.

From a small-town tutor to a billionaire EdTech mogul, Alakh Pandey’s journey is proof that with passion, perseverance, and a solid understanding of physics, anything is achievable.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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