In a remarkable financial milestone, Physics Wallah (PW), an Indian education technology company, has successfully raised $210 million at the close of its Series B funding round. This capital infusion marks a significant turning point for the company, pushing its post-money valuation to $2.8 billion, more than doubling from its previous valuation of $1.1 billion. The round was led by Hornbill Capital, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and existing investors GSV and WestBridge.
PW’s founders, Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari, expressed that the funding is more than a financial boost—it’s a validation of the company’s mission to democratize education and make it accessible to students across India. The funds will be directed toward enhancing the company’s reach and technological offerings, supporting their expansion from school education to skilling, and strengthening the company’s content and platform.
This funding round follows years of strong growth for Physics Wallah. The company now produces over 9,500 hours of educational content weekly, serving a massive student base across 18,808 pin codes—almost 98% of India’s geographical spread. With the infusion of fresh capital, PW is looking forward to FY25, which, according to Maheshwari, will be its “largest absolute profitability” year to date.
The Story Behind Physics Wallah’s Growth
Physics Wallah was founded by Alakh Pandey in 2014 as a YouTube channel providing free educational content for students preparing for competitive exams like the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). What started as a passion project quickly gained traction due to Pandey’s engaging teaching style and focus on delivering high-quality, concept-based learning at minimal or no cost. As demand for his content grew, Physics Wallah transitioned into a full-fledged edtech platform in 2020, offering structured courses for students preparing for competitive exams.
Over the years, Physics Wallah has diversified its offerings, expanding into various subjects and educational levels, from school education to competitive exams, and more recently, skill development. The company’s vision is to support students at every stage of their academic and professional journey, creating an ecosystem that nurtures learning through technology, accessibility, and affordability.
Key Drivers of Success
Physics Wallah’s success can be attributed to several key factors:
1. Affordability
One of the most significant barriers to quality education in India is cost. Physics Wallah’s decision to offer highly affordable courses has allowed students from lower-income backgrounds to access resources they might not have been able to afford through traditional coaching centers. In a country where competitive exam preparation can be prohibitively expensive, PW’s pricing model has democratized access to high-quality education.
2. High-Quality Content
PW focuses on providing in-depth, conceptual clarity in its courses, which are designed to help students master difficult subjects rather than just memorize facts. This emphasis on deep learning has helped PW stand out from other edtech platforms, particularly in a competitive field where many services are oriented around exam preparation without a solid foundational approach to learning.
3. Wide Reach
The company’s ability to create content that resonates with students across India is reflected in its expansive user base. PW has managed to penetrate almost 98% of India’s pin codes, a testament to its broad appeal and effective digital outreach strategies. By offering content in both English and Hindi, PW has further broadened its accessibility to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
4. Technology and Innovation
PW has always been a tech-driven platform. From leveraging YouTube’s algorithm to reach a broader audience in its early days to creating its dedicated PW app, which has millions of active users, the company has consistently embraced technology to scale its operations. With new funding, PW plans to continue improving its tech stack, further enhancing user experience and delivering even more personalized educational solutions.
5. Strategic Expansion
Over the years, PW has expanded its offerings to cover more than just physics, diversifying into subjects such as chemistry, biology, and mathematics, while also providing skilling and vocational courses. This broad scope allows PW to address different needs at various stages of a student’s educational journey. The company has also recently ventured into offline education by opening PW Vidyapeeth centers in various cities, combining the strengths of both online and offline teaching.
Series B Funding and Its Impact
The successful closure of this $210 million Series B funding round demonstrates investors’ confidence in the edtech sector and, more specifically, in Physics Wallah’s mission. This investment will allow PW to expand its operational capabilities, develop new content, and enhance its digital and physical learning platforms.
The timing of this funding is also critical, as the company enters a pivotal phase in its growth. Prateek Maheshwari emphasized that FY25 would mark the “largest absolute profitability” for the company, highlighting the sustainable business model PW has built. The funding not only supports expansion but also reinforces the company’s commitment to profitability—a rarity in the edtech space, where many startups operate at a loss while prioritizing growth.
Expansion Plans: Content, Community, and Inorganic Growth
In addition to expanding its core offerings, Physics Wallah is planning a strategic expansion into community-driven education platforms. According to Abhishek Mishra, Chief Strategy Officer at PW, the company aims to explore inorganic growth opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions. This move indicates that PW is looking to consolidate its market position by integrating smaller platforms that can add value to its educational ecosystem.
PW’s content offerings are also set to expand. The company currently produces 9,500 hours of educational content every week, and with the new funding, there are plans to further increase both the volume and diversity of content. PW’s ECats platform, a customizable online marketplace for educational content, will play a significant role in this expansion, providing tailored solutions for B2B and B2C clients.
The Broader Impact of Physics Wallah’s Success
Physics Wallah’s success story is not just about the financial growth of a single company. It is also about the potential to transform India’s education system by making high-quality education more accessible. In a country where access to education is often limited by geography and socioeconomic status, platforms like PW play a critical role in leveling the playing field.
The company’s ability to penetrate nearly all of India’s pin codes underscores its commitment to reaching students in even the most remote areas. By providing affordable, high-quality education, PW is helping to close the education gap and support the nation’s broader goals of skill development and economic growth.
The investment in PW also highlights investors’ continued faith in the edtech sector. While some edtech companies have faced challenges in scaling profitably, PW’s focus on sustainable growth and innovation has resonated with investors, offering a blueprint for other startups in the sector.
The Road Ahead: Innovation and Profitability
As PW continues its upward trajectory, the company’s vision is clear: to continue democratizing education while achieving scalability and profitability. The investment in technology, community-building, and expanding its physical presence through PW Vidyapeeth centers will allow PW to diversify its offerings further and cater to a broader audience.
The company’s focus on skilling and vocational training is also integral to its future plans. India’s National Education Policy (NEP) emphasizes the need for skill development to prepare the youth for future job markets, and PW is well-positioned to be a key player in this transformation. By offering courses that go beyond school curricula and cater to real-world demands, PW can contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving educational landscape.
Moreover, the move toward profitability sets PW apart in an industry where many companies prioritize growth at the expense of financial health. PW’s ability to balance both growth and profitability makes it an attractive investment and a sustainable business model.
Conclusion
Physics Wallah’s journey from a YouTube channel to a $2.8 billion edtech company is a testament to the power of innovation, accessibility, and a student-centric approach to education. With the successful closure of its Series B funding round, the company is well-positioned to continue its rapid growth, expand its offerings, and solidify its place as a leader in the global edtech space.
As PW moves forward, its commitment to democratizing education and ensuring sustainable, impactful growth remains at the core of its mission. The next few years will be crucial for PW, as it not only seeks to scale but also to redefine how education is delivered in a digital-first world. With its strategic vision, strong leadership, and financial backing, Physics Wallah is set to revolutionize education in India and beyond.