Gaurav Munjal is an Indian entrepreneur, educator, and the co-founder of Unacademy, a leading online learning platform. With a strong vision to democratize education, Munjal has played a pivotal role in reshaping the way students in India prepare for competitive exams and gain access to quality education. This article delves into Gaurav Munjal’s background, his journey as an entrepreneur, and his contributions to the education sector through Unacademy.
Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gaurav Munjal |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Company | Unacademy |
| Position | Founder and CEO |
| Education | B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering |
| from Indian School of Technology (IIT) Bombay | |
| Pursued MBA from the Indian School of Business (ISB) | |
| Career | Co-founder of Flat.to, a real estate startup (2012-2015) |
| Co-founder of Unacademy (2015-present) | |
| Achievements | Forbes India 30 Under 30 (2019) |
| ET 40 Under 40 (2020) | |
| Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 (2020) | |
| ET Prime’s Achievers of 2020 (2020) | |
| Bloomberg 50 (2020) |
Early Life and Education:
Gaurav Munjal was born on February 22, 1993, in Saharanpur, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. He completed his schooling at a local school and later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. Despite his technical background, Munjal always had a keen interest in the field of education and wanted to make a positive impact in this domain.
The Genesis of Unacademy:
After completing his engineering degree, Gaurav Munjal started his entrepreneurial journey by co-founding a startup called Flatchat, which was an online platform for students to find accommodation. However, his true calling came when he launched Unacademy in 2015 along with Roman Saini and Hemesh Singh. Unacademy initially started as a YouTube channel providing free educational videos, primarily focused on cracking competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services.
Unacademy’s Success Story:
Under Gaurav Munjal’s leadership, Unacademy quickly gained popularity among students across India. The platform’s key strength lies in its vast repository of online courses, study materials, and interactive live classes conducted by experienced educators. Unacademy’s diverse range of subjects, including IIT-JEE, NEET, UPSC, SSC, and more, has made it a go-to destination for millions of students preparing for various competitive exams.
Scaling New Heights:
Gaurav Munjal’s relentless efforts to make quality education accessible to all have garnered widespread recognition. In 2020, Unacademy secured $150 million in funding from notable investors, including SoftBank and Facebook, and achieved the prestigious status of being a unicorn startup with a valuation of over $1 billion. Munjal’s strategic partnerships and collaborations with renowned educators have further cemented Unacademy’s position as a frontrunner in the edtech industry.
Social Impact and Initiatives:
Beyond the business realm, Gaurav Munjal has actively engaged in philanthropic activities. Unacademy Foundation, the social arm of the company, has initiated several projects aimed at bridging the education gap and providing scholarships to deserving students. These initiatives reflect Munjal’s commitment to creating a positive impact on society and empowering the youth through education.
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