"Byju's Founder Argues We Don't Fit in Courts, We Thrive in..."
Brand Revival: BYJU'S 3.0 - A Back-to-Basics Approach
Byju Raveendran, the maverick behind edtech giant BYJU'S, has laid out an inspiring comeback plan for his company, transforming it into BYJU'S 3.0. With a heartfelt message echoing purpose over profits, he sets his sights on returning BYJU'S to its educational foundations, using the power of classrooms effectively.
"We ain't bouncing between courtrooms, we're revving up for classrooms. That's where we kicked things off, and that's where we're headed back," Raveendran declared during a candid interview with ANI.
Raveendran's unwavering focus stays secured on the students, teachers, and transformative potential that education holds.
"ABC - Always be considering students (and teachers). That's the basis of BYJU'S 3.0. We don't dive into courtrooms; we dive into creating a world of learning. Being rooted in India serves as our greatest advantage, a nation brimming with respect for instructors and education," Raveendran said.
Putting an end to personal profit rumors, he humbly claimed,
"I never saw those greenbacks. I never saw them zip away. Everything we had went into a single aim - BYJU'S. No other investments, no other ventures. My entire fortunes lie in BYJU'S."
In spite of setbacks, Raveendran embraces the responsibility to rebuild the company.
"BYJU'S isn't shifting gears just because we've faced some bumps. It's because we owe it to the kids, teachers, and teams who trusted us - they're the reason we don't give up. BYJU'S 3.0 is bound to stay loyal to our original vision," he declared.
Although he refrained from detailing the exact form of BYJU'S 3.0, Raveendran disclosed that the principles remain the same - AI-driven teaching that complements and improves upon human teachers, with a focus on uplifting underperforming students.
"Can't spill all the deets right now. But, trust me, it'll boil down to our pioneering vision, which is forging a passion for education in students. Whatever we execute will make a massive impact none of us have managed before," he pledged.
"I'm tenacious when it comes to our vision. It's all about making learning easy and engaging for students. How do we utilize AI to bolster educators, not replace them? How can we catalyze the bottom quartile of students to rise higher?" he queried.
Raveendran also addressed the hurdles concerning the company's investors, pointing out a handful of troubling investors and strategic partners causing most of the trouble.
"Some investors have been terrific, taking their lumps like good soldiers. But there are a few black sheep, stirring up drama through their investments and opportunistic loans. Certain investors, notably those with U.S. roots, sought to control the company and shape the narrative for their own gains, as the company encountered legalous complications," he highlighted.
BYJU'S 3.0's journey ahead includes confronting these challenges, as Raveendran remains confident in his commitment to educational empowerment, fueled by technology.
"In 2024, we were primed to launch a fundraising round, but it was derailed. Will we find the same high-profile backers? That remains to be seen. Yes, there's been some legal drama, but the spirit of BYJU'S remains indomitable," he declared.
Raveendran asserted that the team's resilience stems from their extraordinary achievements in building the company from scratch to a dizzying $20 billion valuation, touching millions of students with their learning platform.
"We developed this miracle from the ground up, from 0 to 20 billion, from a smattering of students to tens of millions. This unprecedented success isn't something anyone can take from us."
"For me, staying strong and sticking to our guns is crucial. That's why we won't back down. The reason behind our persistence is our devotion to the students, teachers, and employees who believed in us. Time for BYJU'S to make a comeback - we’ll do so with unwavering determination and innovative spirit," Raveendran concluded.
- Byju Raveendran, an entrepreneur in the finance sector, aims to revolutionize BYJU'S as BYJU'S 3.0, focusing on education-and-self-development, technology, and learning, by rectifying past mistakes and returning to the company's educational roots.
- In his pursuit, Raveendran prioritizes business strategies that cater to students' needs, acknowledging the significant role of teachers and India's culture of education, as he gears up for a comeback with a back-to-basics approach.
- With the intention of staying faithful to the vision that propelled BYJU'S to a $20 billion valuation in business, Raveendran plans to leverage technology within education-and-self-development, prioritizing the uplift of underperforming students and ensuring AI serves as a tool to complement, not replace, human teachers.
