Serial entrepreneur Rohan Rai is the Bengaluru-based co-founder of his latest offering Edupull (estb 2023), an edtech company that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to provide class XII school-leavers and undergrads customised roadmaps and career pathways in multiple Indian languages free-of-charge to enable them to make informed higher education choices. About 25,000 students – 35 percent of whom are from Tier II and III cities — have till date registered for Edupull’s invaluable services.

Newspeg. In April, Rai signed partnership agreements with six higher ed institutions in India (Uttar Pradesh) and overseas (Spain) for the digital platform’s study abroad and campus ambassador programs. Additionally, the “Write a Review and Add a College” features have also been introduced to allow students to share their experiences and add new colleges to Edupull’s database.

History. Born and raised in Patna, Rai moved to the national capital after his Plus Two to enroll in a physics (hons) degree program of the prestigious St. Stephen’s College, but dropped out in his freshman year driven by a deep desire to pursue computer science and engineering at IIT Delhi instead, where he pressed on to study for an integrated Masters program. His professional career began at Qwest Software Services followed by a brief stint at Bizense, a startup.

“A three-year stint at InMobi, which rose to becoming India’s first unicorn startup in 2011, was a pivotal moment that ignited my entrepreneurial spirit. Witnessing this success firsthand reinforced my belief in the transformative potential of mobile technology,” says Rai. Despite his demanding corporate life, he first started exploring moonlighting projects such as Dev42, a software service company, and apparel venture Kuchaur.

In 2013, Rai quit corporate life and decided to go solo. The same year, he promoted Kritter, a tech-driven advertising platform, which marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. This was followed by Aroscop, a full-service marketing and advertising agency, in 2017. Six years on, Rai together with his former InMobi colleagues Kshitij Sooryavanshi and Arjun Som promoted Edupull in 2023.

Direct talk. “I have observed the struggle of students from diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds in navigating their higher education pathways, and strongly believe that given the right guidance early on, dreams can become reality. Edupull was born out of an urgent need to provide comprehensive, accessible, and personalized educational guidance to students regardless of language or background. The combination of AI technology and data analytics makes our digital platform a powerful tool for students looking at higher ed options. Strategically targeting the vernacular market through city-specific performance marketing campaigns has enabled Edupull to attract 25,000 students in a short span of 12 months,” says Rai.

Business model. The company sustains its business through strategic partnerships with colleges and brands, without relying on student subscriptions. In addition to its  existing revenue streams from these collaborations, a significant portion of Edupull’s revenue comes from study abroad applications and admissions.

“By partnering with educational institutions and brands, we have created a mutually beneficial ecosystem that supports our operations while providing valuable services to students. This model allows us to maintain a robust and sustainable business without placing a financial burden on students,” adds Rai.

Future plans. Looking ahead, Rai plans to expand Edupull’s partnerships within India and abroad to enhance its outreach efforts. “Our vision is clearly to become the foremost destination for educational guidance, democratizing access to quality education and helping every student achieve her dream,” says Rai.

Paromita Sengupta (Bengaluru)