The Indian Education Brand: Is India Now Exporting Edtech to the World?

The Indian Education Brand: Is India Now Exporting Edtech to the World? | Upskilling | Emeritus

In recent years, the Indian education sector has experienced a remarkable transformation fueled by rapid technological advancements. This digital revolution has ushered in an era of education characterized by accessibility and personalized learning. At the forefront of this revolution is edtech India. Projections indicate a staggering value of $10.4 billion and an estimated 37 million paid users by 2025. This shows that edtech India is poised to reshape the international education landscape and extend its influence globally.

During the GSV+Emeritus India Summit, the potential for edtech India to export education to the world took center stage in the thought-provoking panel discussion, titled Out of India—Exporting Education to the World. Visionary leaders in the field of edtech India explored the possibilities of expanding into global markets and seizing opportunities overseas. This article delves into how these edtech India leaders push their boundaries and venture into new territories. 

Is Indian Edtech Unlocking International Potential?

edtech India

Mohan Lakhamraju, Founder and CEO of Great Learning, shared his insights into taking his platform to the international market. His company was initially focused on serving the Indian market until a pivotal moment in 2018. This was when significant numbers of learners from various parts of the world started joining their program. It proved to be a game-changer and propelled Great Learning to expand its program to the international market.

Similarly, BrightCHAMPS Founder and CEO Ravi Bhushan recognized the potential of the global market right from the start. Bhushan explained the company’s strategic approach to expansion, which centers around breaking down language barriers to tap into untapped markets. “BrightCHAMPS started with the global aspiration from day one,” he emphasized. 

They embarked on their international efforts by initially targeting English-speaking learners. Then they gradually reached out to other regions where language would have been an obstacle. This approach enabled them to seize opportunities in serving markets with linguistic challenges, such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Furthermore, Bhushan highlighted the profound impact of their global expansion, as it not only empowers learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds but also contributes to creating a global supply of educational services.

Do Indian Edtech Companies Have a Cost Advantage?

Edtech India holds immense potential for transformative change, poised to revolutionize the education landscape. Pramath Raj Sinha, Founder & Chairman of Harappa Education, discusses the significant disruption in the edtech industry, drawing parallels to the transformative impact he witnessed during his early years in the IT sector. Sinha emphasized the profound changes occurring within the edtech sector, akin to the disruptive force unleashed by the IT industry. He identified a similar transformative potential in the edtech space, indicating that the opportunities are vast and largely untapped. 

As the global demand for edtech India becomes increasingly evident, Pranjal Kumar, CFO & Head of Corporate Development of Emeritus, provided valuable insights into the driving forces behind this demand. Kumar highlighted the fact that Indian edtech companies finely tune their cost structure and business models to serve frugal Indian learners. This advantage thus enables them to export their models and disrupt markets in regions where affordability is a key consideration. Additionally, by leveraging their expertise in catering to cost-conscious customers, edtech India companies can significantly impact these untapped markets by offering affordable education.

Moreover, Kumar’s insights shed further light on the immense growth potential of the edtech industry in India. He also noted that approximately 70% of their revenue comes from outside the U.S. and Europe, distinguishing them from other players, where 50% of revenue originates from these regions. Kumar emphasized that the edtech India spectrum of companies were in an advantageous position, stating, “If we consider our business model and cost structure, we have a significant advantage over other global players.” 

Can the Indian Edtech Model Disrupt the Global Market?

edtech India

Regarding the global market, Mohan Lakhamraju also highlighted the surprising similarities between the Indian and international markets. Lakhamraju explained that they initially anticipated significant differences between the two markets; however, they discovered that international students highly valued the support and guidance they provided, similar to Indian learners. This further underscored that the learning needs and user characteristics, especially among adult learners, were remarkably similar across geographies. 

Expanding on Lakhamraju’s statement, Pranjal Kumar explained the three key trends—cost, quality, and data—contributing to this advantage. He highlighted the cost and quality arbitrage, where Indian edtech companies can offer competitive pricing while maintaining high quality standards. Furthermore, the abundance of data generated by Indian learners was an opportunity to develop relevant tools and solutions. 

Will Indian Edtech Shatter the Perception of Costs Equals Quality?

Trust and quality are two pivotal factors for the success of edtech India globally. Ravi Bhushan, a strong advocate for these factors, emphasized that trust was the foundation of the education sector. To establish trust, edtech India must prioritize delivering high-quality services, creating a solid framework of trust.

Building upon this foundation, Bhushan further stressed the importance of learning outcomes and teacher quality. He recommended that edtech India gradually and intentionally enhance these aspects. By continuously improving the quality of teachers and ensuring a minimum standard of service, edtech India can solidify its position as a provider of exceptional educational offerings.

“We actually sold ourselves very cheap,” emphasized Vivek Sunder, the CEO of Cue Learn Private Limited. He cautioned against underselling and creating a perception of poor quality. Sunder stated that prioritizing quality would enable edtech India to price its products and services according to their actual value. Additionally, rather than relying solely on price advantages, the focus should be on offering a profitable, high-quality product. Ultimately, this emphasis on quality contributes to the long-term success of edtech India in the competitive edtech industry.

ALSO READ: Eyes on the Future: Top 6 Trends Spotted at the GSV Emeritus India Summit Day 3 

Based on this exchange of ideas, it’s clear to see that edtech India has immense potential for growth and impact in the education sector. With a strong foundation and commitment to excellence, edtech India can remarkably shape the future of education. Furthermore, this innovative approach and steadfast commitment to quality can pave the way for global success in the education sector. If you’re interested in upskilling, explore our portfolio of courses today!

By Krati Joshi

Write to us at content@emeritus.org

About the Author


Content Writer, Emeritus Blog
Yashvi is a dynamic content creator with 5+ years of experience crafting content for global brands, specializing in tech, finance, and healthcare sectors for both B2B and B2C audiences. Her diverse knowledge base empowers her to create meticulously researched, value-packed content for the EdTech sector, catering to various audiences. In her downtime, she explores the realms of mental well-being, reflecting her holistic approach to personal and professional growth and deepening her empathy for her audience's pain points and needs.
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