Mumbai, NFAPost: Kolkata-based edtech venture Nalanda Learning Systems Pvt. Ltd. has raised Rs 40 crore of investment from Aavishkaar Capital. Nalanda Learning is rapidly disrupting the early childhood learning space in India through its digital early learning platform.
Having established market leadership in West Bengal through its chain of “Little Laureates” preschools, the company has now set its sights on expanding nationally through its high quality integrated platform of digital content, curriculum and pedagogy, targeting children in early years.
Covid-19 has reshaped the education market and whilst it has accelerated the adoption of education technologies, the benefits have been limited to a small section of the society. The preschooling industry, which is largely dominated by standalone or independent schools, has however, not been able to adapt and integrate digital technologies into their pedagogy, resulting in their offerings not meeting the rapidly evolving demand from parents.
Through its integrated platform, Nalanda intends to not only ensure sustained learning and development outcomes for children, but also enable the preschooling industry to revive and upskill and provide comprehensive, contemporary, early learning programs to children across India.
Speaking on this fresh investment, Nalanda CEO Tamal Mukherjee said while the entire education sector has encountered significant headwinds on account of the pandemic, Nalanda continues to move forward and has developed the next generation learning solutions for kids at the foundation learning age.
“Our integrated digital learning solutions are extremely engaging and children can easily adopt to the new way of learning. We are accordingly, witnessing very significant traction and receiving extremely encouraging response from parents across India. This capital raise will help us in further enhancing our technology capabilities and improving our geographic reach to early learners and preschools across India,” said Tamal Mukherjee.
Aavishkaar Capital Partner Ajay Maniar commented the fund is extremely excited to continue partnering with Nalanda as it expands its high-quality pedagogy across India through its digital platform.
“The Nalanda team has shown great dexterity in re-imagining the pre-schooling business and have been able to translate their high quality pedagogy into a highly impactful business proposition for preschool owners, teachers and parents. The National Education Policy has recognised the importance of foundational learning for children and ushered in a new era for preschools and Nalanda is well positioned to capitalise on the same,” said Ajay Maniar.
Based out of Kolkata, Nalanda Learning Systems is the leading preschool education company out of Eastern India, operating under the brand “Little Laureates”. Nalanda’s integrated digital platform seamlessly weaves in their experience of running preschools into a comprehensive digital platform that includes engaging digital content, live classes and interactive games, enabling development of vital literacy and cognitive skills, expanding imagination, promoting creativity, and fostering engagement for early learners.
Aavishkaar Capital is the global pioneer and leading investor with its entrepreneurship-based approach to scaling businesses for impact. Aavishkaar Capital’s unique approach has resulted in its invested enterprises impacting over 105 million lives (65% of who are women) and creating over 300,000 jobs and livelihoods.
Aavishkaar Capital invests in sectors such as Sustainable Agriculture, Financial Inclusion and Essential Services across India, Emerging Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Aligned to 13 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Aavishkaar Capital has raised six funds, while generating commercial returns with over c.$400 million in assets under management.
Aavishkaar Capital is the impact investing arm of the Aavishkaar Group, the impact platform with presence in Microfinance, MSME Lending and ecosystem building across India, Emerging Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Aavishkaar Group with its vision to bridge the opportunity gap for the emerging 3 Billion, currently manages over USD 1 billion in Impact Assets across its platform. For more information, visit us at www.aavishkaarcapital.in
