Byju Raveendran, a prominent Indian entrepreneur, is the founder of the renowned Byju’s Learning App. His journey from classroom teacher to tech innovator is a compelling story of entrepreneurial success and recent controversy.

Wiki/Biography

Byju Raveendran was born in 1980 (age 44 as of 2024) in Azhikode, Kerala. He completed his primary education locally in Azhikode. He then pursued a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at a Government Engineering College in Kannur, Kerala.

From a young age, Byju displayed a passion for sports, actively participating in football, cricket, table tennis, and badminton throughout school and college. Despite his athletic abilities, he opted for a career in engineering rather than sports, prioritizing his interest in engineering over the demanding schedules of a professional athlete.

Physical Appearance

Here’s a summary of Byju Raveendran’s physical attributes:

• Height (approx.): 5’8″
• Weight (approx.): 70 kg
• Eye Colour: Brown
• Hair Colour: Black

Family and Wife

Byju Raveendran hails from a Malayali family. His father, Raveendran, is a retired physics teacher, and his mother, Shobhanavalli, is a retired mathematics teacher. He has a younger brother, Riju. Byju is married to Divya Gokulnath, whom he met while teaching; she was one of his students. They have a son together, Nish.

Career

After graduating, Byju worked as a service engineer for a multinational shipping company. While vacationing in Bangalore, he helped friends prepare for their CAT exams, showcasing his exceptional mathematical abilities. Scoring 100 percentile twice on the CAT exam himself, he was urged to teach aspiring students.

He began tutoring MBA aspirants on a friend’s terrace, eventually expanding his services and teaching various subjects. His unique teaching style and success rate led to a rapid growth in his student base, necessitating larger venues for his classes. By 2009, he started recording lectures to reach a broader audience across 45 cities.

In 2010, a collaboration with IIM graduates led to the creation of Think & Learn, a company focused on delivering educational content online. The result was BYJU’S – The Learning App, launched in 2011. The app’s innovative approach to online education quickly gained popularity, attracting millions of users.

A significant milestone was achieved in September 2016 when Byju’s received $50 million in funding from Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, becoming the first Asian startup to secure such funding. In July 2019, Byju’s became the official sponsor of the Indian cricket team jersey, further boosting its brand visibility.

In April 2024, Byju Raveendran resumed his daily operational duties at Byju’s after Arjun Mohan stepped down as CEO.

Controversies

Byju’s has faced various controversies including:

NCPCR Summons

In December 2022, Byju Raveendran was summoned by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) due to complaints about loan-based contracts for educational programs.

Irregularities in loan repayment

In March 2023, US lenders raised concerns about loan repayment irregularities and assumed control of Byju’s Alpha, initiating legal disputes.

Raids by the ED

Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in April 2022 investigated alleged irregularities in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received by Byju’s. A look out circular was issued in February 2024.

Accused of hiding $500 million

Allegations surfaced in May 2023 that the American branch of Byju’s had defaulted on payments and transferred $500 million, leading to legal proceedings.

Net Worth

By April 2024, Byju Raveendran’s net worth reportedly dropped to zero from a previous high of Rs. 17,545 crore ($2.1 billion).

Facts

Here are some key facts about Byju Raveendran and Byju’s:

• In 2017, Byju’s was featured as a case study at Harvard University.
• As of July 2019, the app boasted over 11 million Android downloads and 35 million registered users.
• In 2019, Byju Raveendran’s net worth was estimated at $6 billion.

Financial Highlights