Biography of Aditi Avasthi: Founder and CEO of Embibe -AI Based Education
Story of Aditi Avasthi: Pioneering AI in Education
Aditi Avasthi, the founder and CEO of Embibe, has made
significant strides in the field of educational technology. Based in Bangalore,
Embibe leverages artificial intelligence to enhance learning experiences and
outcomes. Avasthi’s groundbreaking work has earned her several accolades,
including being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in
2021. She was also recognized among BBC's top 100 women in 2017 and was honored
as 'Woman of the Year' by Vogue in 2018.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 10, 1981, in Ludhiana, Punjab, Aditi
Avasthi grew up as the daughter of Arun Kumar and Veena Avasthi. Her
educational journey took her through various schools in India. She pursued a
bachelor's degree in engineering from Thapar University, graduating in 2003.
Later, she earned her MBA in finance and marketing from the University of
Chicago Booth School of Business in 2010, further shaping her entrepreneurial
and leadership skills.
Biography of Aditi Avasthi: Founder and CEO of Embibe -AI Based Education system/Success story of Aditi Avasthi/ Embibe education success story
Early Career and Achievements
Aditi's career began at Tata Consultancy Services, where she
was instrumental in developing new business initiatives in the UK. During her
time at Tata Consultancy Services, she achieved notable success by winning the
AIMA Young Leaders project award, despite an initial rejection due to her young
age. Her role at Tata Consultancy Services set a strong foundation for her
future endeavors.
Personal Inspiration and Mission
Aditi’s passion for improving education stemmed from her own
experience of narrowly missing out on admission to IIT. The challenges she
faced in her educational journey fueled her determination to address the
shortcomings of traditional education methods in India. This personal drive led
her to establish a solution that would enhance and democratize education for
others.
Transition to Barclays and International Experience
After completing her MBA, Aditi transitioned to Barclays,
taking on the role of Deputy Chief of Product and Strategy Head for their
mobile banking division in Africa. In 2012, she moved to Delaware, USA, where
she worked at Barclaycard as the Director of Corporate Development in Mobile
Commerce Business. At Barclays, Aditi played a crucial role in shaping the
mobile business strategy and developing business cases for monetizing mobile
commerce.
Founding Embibe and Early Investments
In 2012, Aditi founded Embibe with an initial funding of
$700,000 from angel investors. The platform, which offers a personalized
educational engine based on a comprehensive knowledge graph, connects
curriculum across different grades to help students meet their learning
objectives. Embibe also provides services related to the Joint Entrance
Examination – Advanced. The following year, Embibe received additional
investments from Kalaari Capital and Lightbox Ventures.
Founding and Mission
In 2012, Aditi Avasthi established Embibe with a clear
mission: to democratize education across India using advanced technology. The
platform was designed to support students preparing for highly competitive
exams like NEET and IIT JEE. Embibe offers a dynamic, self-updating curriculum
built on the principles of self-learning, leveraging artificial intelligence
and data science to enhance understanding from grade one through twelve.
Impact and Achievements
Embibe has made significant strides in improving educational
outcomes. Notably, its pilot project successfully helped a group of tribal
students in Rajasthan gain admission to top engineering colleges. In 2018, the
platform attracted a substantial $180 million investment from Reliance
Industries, which acquired a 73% stake in Embibe. This investment marked a
successful corporate round for the company and highlighted its potential in
revolutionizing the education sector through data science and technology.
Leveraging Technology for Education
Embibe’s platform incorporates artificial intelligence and
data science at its core to make educational content more accessible and
understandable. By applying these technologies, Embibe simplifies complex
concepts from grades one to twelve, making learning more efficient and
effective for students across various levels.
Personal Insights and Reflections
Aditi reflects on her entrepreneurial journey with
enthusiasm, emphasizing how running her own business allows her to bring her
vision of transforming education to life. She notes that qualities such as
patience, persistence, and multitasking, which she believes many women naturally
possess, have been significant advantages in her journey from scratch. Her
determination to achieve her goals is evident in her approach to leveraging
technology and data science in education.
Celebrated Achievements and Recognition
Avasthi's remarkable contributions to education and
technology have earned her numerous accolades over the years. In 2015, she was
named in Fortune's 40 Under 40 list, recognizing her as a prominent figure in
the business world. Her influence continued to be acknowledged in 2017 when she
was featured in BBC's 100 Women for her efforts in addressing illiteracy.
Notable Awards and Honors
Further cementing her reputation, Avasthi received the
Business Impact Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award as a Digital Disruptor. In
2017, she was also listed in Business World’s 40 Under 40. Her accomplishments
were highlighted again in 2018 when Vogue honored her as a Young Achiever. In
February 2018, she was named CEO of the Year by Edtechreview.
Continued Success and Innovation
In early 2019, Avasthi’s innovation and leadership were
celebrated with several awards. She received an award from the All India
Council for Robotics & Automation (AICRA) and was recognized as Woman
Entrepreneur of the Year by Indian Education Congress/Entrepreneur Magazine.
Her outstanding leadership earned her the title of CEO of the Year 2019 - India
from CEO Monthly and the Accenture Vahini Innovator of the Year at the Economic
Times Prime Women Leadership Awards, both in March 2019.
Timeline for Aditi Avasthi Story:
December 10, 1981: Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
2003: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Thapar
University.
2010: MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of
Chicago Booth School of Business.
2012: Founded Embibe, a tech-driven education platform using
AI to enhance learning.
2015: Listed in Fortune’s 40 Under 40.
2017: Featured in BBC’s 100 Women for contributions to
education.
2018: Vogue named her 'Woman of the Year.'
2018: Embibe received a $180 million investment from
Reliance Industries.
2019: Received several awards, including CEO of the Year
2019 – India from CEO Monthly.
