Fri Sep 20 06:36:20 UTC 2024: ## Physics Wallah Secures $210 Million Amidst Edtech Downturn, Valued at $2.8 Billion

**New Delhi, India** – Indian edtech startup Physics Wallah has secured $210 million in fresh funding, defying the challenging funding environment currently facing the sector. Led by Hornbill Capital and Lightspeed Ventures Partners, the Series B round values the company at $2.8 billion, a significant jump from its previous valuation of $1.1 billion in June 2022.

Founded in 2016 by Alakh Pandey, Physics Wallah started as a free YouTube channel aimed at providing quality education to underprivileged students. Its popularity quickly grew, leading to the company’s formalization in 2020. Today, Physics Wallah serves over 46 million students across five Indian languages, offering affordable courses for a wide range of educational needs, from primary school to competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and UPSC.

The startup’s key strength lies in its affordable pricing, with courses starting at $50 per year. This strategy, along with its focus on quality content and community engagement, has helped Physics Wallah achieve significant traction. In the year ending March 2023, the company reported revenue of $96.2 million, with a 2.5x increase between March 2023 and March 2024. Physics Wallah expects its fiscal year ending March 2025 to be its most profitable yet.

The recent funding round comes as the Indian edtech sector faces headwinds, with companies like Unacademy and Byju’s struggling. However, Physics Wallah maintains a positive outlook, citing the continued demand for online learning and the startup’s successful hybrid model combining online and offline learning.

Physics Wallah plans to use the fresh funding to explore inorganic growth opportunities, including acquisitions. While an IPO is on the horizon, the company says it has no immediate plans for such a move.

“Physics Wallah is a rare combination of vision, execution, and impact with a thriving 3C model – Content, Community, and Commerce,” said Manoj Thakur, founder of Hornbill Capital. “We are excited to see PW’s use of AI not only to help improve students’ outcomes but also their emotional well-being.”

The success of Physics Wallah amidst the edtech downturn highlights the importance of affordability, community building, and a focus on student needs in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

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