Byju Raveendran is the founder of BYJU’S, one of India’s largest EdTech companies. His journey from a small village teacher to building a billion-dollar education empire is a remarkable story of passion, innovation, and belief in the power of learning. Despite ups and downs, he remains one of India’s most influential education entrepreneurs.
Who Is Byju Raveendran?
Byju Raveendran is an Indian entrepreneur, educator, and founder of BYJU’S.
He is known for transforming traditional learning into engaging digital education through videos, apps, and online classes.
Byju Raveendran – Early Life & Background
Byju Raveendran was born in 1980 in Azhikode, Kannur district, Kerala.
His parents were teachers, which deeply influenced his interest in academics.
He grew up with a strong learning environment at home and developed a natural talent for teaching and mathematics.
Education – A Strong Academic Foundation
Byju completed his schooling in Kannur and graduated with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the Government Engineering College, Kannur.
He worked as a service engineer for a shipping company before discovering his passion for teaching.
How Teaching Became His Passion
During a vacation in Bangalore, Byju helped friends prepare for CAT (MBA entrance).
His teaching style was so effective that his friends scored higher than expected — and he scored 100 percentile in CAT without formal preparation.
This moment revealed his natural talent for teaching.
Starting as a Teacher – From Classrooms to Stadiums
Byju began taking CAT coaching classes.
Initially, he taught small batches, but his reputation grew rapidly.
Soon, he was teaching:
In auditoriums
In packed halls
Even in sports stadiums with thousands of students
His unique teaching style made him extremely popular across India.
Birth of BYJU’S – The EdTech Revolution
In 2011, Byju, along with his students and co-founder Divya Gokulnath, launched BYJU’S – The Learning App to provide conceptual learning through:
Video lessons
Doubt solving
Interactive content
Test prep courses
In 2015, the official BYJU’S learning app was launched, which became a massive hit among students and parents.
Why BYJU’S Became a Global EdTech Giant?
High-quality animation videos
Concept-based teaching
Celebrity branding (Shah Rukh Khan)
Wide course coverage
Nationwide reach
Strong marketing
Adaptive learning technology
BYJU’S became one of the world’s most valuable EdTech startups.
Expansion & Acquisitions
BYJU’S expanded into:
JEE/NEET coaching
IAS prep
School learning (Classes 1–12)
Coding (WhiteHat Jr.)
Competitive exams
International learning (Epic, GeoGebra, Aakash Institute acquisition)
These expansions built a complete digital education ecosystem.
Byju Raveendran Net Worth
Byju Raveendran’s estimated net worth at peak was ₹20,000–22,000 Crore.
Due to BYJU’S business challenges, his net worth fluctuated but he remains one of India’s influential entrepreneurs.
Income sources include:
BYJU’S shares
EdTech ecosystem investments
Brand value & assets
Byju Raveendran Family
Parents: Both teachers
Wife: Divya Gokulnath (Co-founder of BYJU’S)
Children: Two sons
Divya actively contributes to the company’s academic and content strategy.
Challenges & Downfall Phase
BYJU’S faced major challenges:
Financial losses
Regulatory issues
Investor disputes
Layoffs
Decline in valuation
Despite this, Byju continues restructuring to rebuild the company.
Awards & Achievements
Forbes India Tycoons of Tomorrow
Entrepreneur of the Year
Fortune 40 Under 40
Builder of India’s largest EdTech brand
Leadership Style
Byju believes in:
Conceptual clarity
Learning through visualization
Scaling education through technology
Solving real academic problems
Never giving up in tough times
Why Byju Raveendran Inspires Millions?
His story is inspiring because he:
Started with no money
Followed passion over job security
Taught lakhs of students
Built India’s first EdTech unicorn
Continues to fight challenges with conviction
Conclusion
Byju Raveendran’s biography is a powerful story of passion, learning, and innovation. From teaching a few students to building the world’s largest EdTech brand, his journey proves the impact of vision and persistence. Even in tough phases, his dedication to transforming education remains strong.
