In a recent development, the esteemed educational technology company, Think and Learn, known for its flagship brand Byju's, has announced a pivotal leadership transition. Founder Byju Raveendran will now take charge of the company's day-to-day operations following the resignation of CEO Arjun Mohan. This notable shift aligns with a comprehensive restructuring endeavor aimed at optimizing the organization's efficiency by consolidating its activities into three primary divisions: The Learning App, Online Classes and Tuition Centers, and Test Prep.
The decision to implement these changes follows a thorough seven-month evaluation of operations and cost-saving strategies spearheaded by departing BYJU'S India CEO, Arjun Mohan. As the company enters this new phase, Byju Raveendran will adopt a more hands-on approach in directing its daily functions.
Amidst this context, let's delve into background story of BYJU's. Let's explore the narrative of how eight students contributed to the establishment of Byju Raveendran's multi-crore educational technology enterprise.
Byju Raveendran hails from Azhikode, a serene coastal village in Kerala. Originally an engineer with a UK-based shipping company, he ventured into coaching when he aided friends in cracking the rigorous entrance test for the prestigious IIMs, achieving a perfect score himself. Despite his remarkable accomplishment, he opted not to enroll in any of the IIMs. Progressing from tutoring small groups to addressing large auditoriums and stadiums, he eventually pioneered distance learning through VSAT. In 2015, he introduced Byju’s-The Learning App. Now, eyeing expansion into the US, UK, South Africa, and other Commonwealth nations, Byju’s already boasts a presence in the Middle East.
A team of eight individuals has transformed a lone entrepreneur's brand into a dominant force in India's emerging edtech industry. The narrative typically unfolds with glowing testimonials about 'Byju sir,' renowned for his mathematics instruction for students aspiring to enter the prestigious Indian Institute of Management. Initially met with skepticism regarding his approach to mass teaching, eventually, many experience a tangible difference in their learning journey.
Pravin Prakash found himself in a delicate situation during a press conference in Bengaluru last month. Despite prior warnings, he inadvertently referred to Byju Raveendran as ‘sir’ while introducing him. Prakash, now the chief marketing officer at Byju’s, has been an integral part of the startup's journey since its early days. Alongside a core team of former students, he has played a pivotal role in the company's growth and success.
Arjun Mohan, now Vice President of Marketing at Byju’s, first encountered Raveendran during his time at the National Institute of Technology, Calicut. Impressed by a demo session, Mohan enrolled in Raveendran's classes, later securing admission to IIM Kozhikode. Throughout his student and professional years at Titan, Mohan assisted Raveendran with content creation and class organization in his spare time. Last year, Mohan transitioned to a full-time role at Byju’s, coinciding with the company's rise as India’s leading education-technology startup.
Mohnish Jaiswal
Mrinal Mohit, Divya Gokulnath, Vinay MR, Mohnish Jaiswal (in pic), Anita Kishore and PN Santosh have similar stories.
They either attended his classes or also organised sessions for him in their colleges before Raveendran reached out to them to join his team
Raveendran, CEO of Byju’s, emphasized subject matter expertise, relying on test performance data. He sought out individuals who demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit during college, like Anita and Mrinal. Their track record of successfully managing college initiatives—from student recruitment to sales, marketing, and operations—proved their capability. Raveendran handpicked the best from various campuses he taught at, recognizing their proven ability to execute tasks effectively.
