In a surprising turn of events, shareholders of Indian edtech behemoth Byju’s, which include prominent investors like Prosus and Peak XV Partners, convened on Friday to vote on the removal of its founder and CEO Byju Raveendran. The decision has stirred significant speculation and marked a critical juncture in the trajectory of one of India’s most prominent startups.
Byju’s, renowned for its diverse suite of educational offerings ranging from online tutorials to offline coaching, found itself embroiled in internal turmoil as shareholders pressed for leadership changes. Despite the decisive actions taken during the extraordinary general meeting (EGM), Byju’s contended that the decisions were invalid due to procedural irregularities.
The company, led by billionaire entrepreneur Raveendran, faced a pivotal moment as the outcome of the EGM threatened to reshape its corporate governance and leadership structure. With the valuation of Byju’s experiencing recent declines and the resignation of its auditor Deloitte, the edtech giant navigated turbulent waters.
Prosus, a key stakeholder holding 9.6% ownership in Byju’s, reported unanimous shareholder approval for resolutions that encompassed board reconstitution and leadership transitions. However, Byju’s swiftly countered these developments, highlighting the absence of founder-directors during the meeting, which it deemed essential to establish a valid quorum.
The EGM, a marathon event conducted virtually, witnessed the active participation of shareholders and was overseen by Gunjan Shukla, Prosus CFO of global edtech. The reshuffling of Byju’s leadership cast a spotlight on the evolving dynamics within India’s startup ecosystem and the power wielded by institutional investors.
Among Byju’s diverse investor base, including General Atlantic, Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, responses to the unfolding events remained elusive, reflecting the complexity of the situation and its broader implications.
Byju’s preemptively sought legal recourse by approaching the Karnataka State High Court ahead of the shareholder meeting. While the court deferred a final resolution until March 13, the investors remained resolute in their pursuit of decisive action, signaling their commitment to effecting meaningful change within the organization.
The aftermath of the EGM will undoubtedly reverberate through India’s corporate landscape, as stakeholders await further judicial deliberation and anticipate the implications of Byju’s potential leadership transition. Amidst uncertainty, the edtech sector braces for transformative shifts, underlining the enduring significance of corporate governance and investor activism in shaping the future of India’s startup ecosystem.