Biography of Alakh Pandey: Founder & CEO of Physics Wallah- EdTech Startup
Story of Alakh Pandey:
Early Life and Background
Alakh Pandey, born on October 2, 1991, in Allahabad, Uttar
Pradesh, had a challenging start in life. Growing up, his family faced severe
financial difficulties. His father had to sell part of their house to make ends
meet, and eventually, the entire house was sold. They moved to a rented
apartment in a less privileged area. Despite these hardships, Alakh showed
remarkable resilience. By Class 6, he was already earning money by giving tuition,
cycling five kilometers each day to support his family financially.
Currently residing in Pune, Maharashtra, he continues to
lead a life dedicated to education and motivational speaking. His educational
background includes a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from Harcourt Butler
Technical University, Kanpur, which he left to pursue his passion for teaching.
Educational Aspirations
Alakh's academic journey began at Bishop Johnson School
& College in Allahabad. Driven by a passion for learning, he pursued
engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur. However, during
his third year, Alakh realized that engineering was not his true calling. The
disconnect with his coursework and dissatisfaction with teaching methods led
him to drop out of college, choosing instead to follow his passion for
teaching.
Initial Career Steps
After leaving college, Alakh started working as a tutor in
Allahabad, earning a modest income of Rs 5,000. This experience provided him
with a deeper understanding of education and teaching methods. It was during
this time that he recognized the limitations of traditional classroom education
and began to explore alternative ways to reach students.
The Birth of Physics Wallah
In 2016, Alakh launched his YouTube channel, Physics Wallah,
with the aim of making physics accessible to students everywhere. Initially,
the channel struggled to attract viewers, but Alakh’s persistence paid off. He
traveled to Kota, Rajasthan, to acquire quality study material and began using
it in his videos. This strategy helped his channel gain traction and steadily
build a following.
Expansion and Growth
Physics Wallah quickly gained popularity, leading Alakh to
expand his platform. In 2018, he launched a mobile app that offered study
materials for classes 10, 11, 12, and competitive exams like IIT JEE and NEET.
The app was a success, with around 35,000 enrollments within just four days of
its launch. This growth marked a significant milestone in Alakh’s journey.
The Shift to Online Education
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it brought significant
changes to the educational landscape. Schools and coaching centers shut down,
leaving students in need of alternative learning resources. Recognizing this
gap, Pandey seized the opportunity to move his teaching online. Encouraged by
his students and the increasing demand for virtual education, he launched a
YouTube channel to continue teaching physics, which became a lifeline for many
students struggling to adapt to the new normal.
Rapid Growth and Popularity
Pandey’s YouTube channel quickly gained popularity due to
his unique teaching style and the accessibility of his content. The
availability of affordable mobile data plans in India played a crucial role in
this growth, enabling more students to access online educational resources. By
2019, his channel had amassed over 2 million followers, highlighting his
significant impact on students preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination
(JEE).
The Birth of Physics Wallah App
Building on the success of his YouTube channel, Pandey,
along with co-founder Prateek Maheshwari, launched the Physics Wallah app in
2020. The app aimed to offer high-quality, affordable education to students
preparing for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. This move allowed Pandey to
reach a broader audience and provide structured courses that mirrored those
offered by traditional educational institutions, but at a fraction of the cost.
Recognition and Awards
Alakh’s innovative approach to education did not go
unnoticed. In 2021, he received the Rising EdTech Startup of India award from
ZEE Rise Startup. The following year, he was honored by Arvind Kejriwal for his
contributions to education. His achievements were further recognized when he
made it to the Times 40 Under 40 North list in 2022.
Controversies and Challenges
Despite his success, Alakh faced controversy. In October
2022, Aman Dhattarwal accused Alakh of poaching his teachers and students. This
led to a heated debate between the supporters of both educators, drawing
significant attention and scrutiny to Alakh's methods and business practices.
Diverse Ventures
In addition to his work with Physics Wallah, Alakh expanded
his educational outreach by launching additional channels like MBA Wallah, GATE
Wallah, and Teaching Wallah. These channels broadened his platform's scope,
covering various subjects beyond physics and catering to a wider audience.
Biography of Alakh Pandey: Founder & CEO of Physics Wallah- EdTech Startup/Entrepreneur/Investor/Life story of Alakh Pandey/Physics Wallah/unicorn
Media and Popular Culture
In 2022, a Hindi web series titled “Physics Wallah” was
released on Amazon Mini TV, depicting Alakh's journey and impact. The series
brought his story to a broader audience, further cementing his role as a
prominent figure in education.
Achieving Unicorn Status
Physics Wallah’s impressive growth continued, and by June
2022, the company reached a significant milestone by becoming a unicorn,
meaning it was valued at over $1 billion. This achievement came after the
company successfully raised $100 million in its first funding round. The influx
of capital not only validated Pandey’s vision but also enabled the company to
expand its operations and enhance its offerings.
Expansion and Offline Centers
With the newfound resources, Physics Wallah began to expand
its footprint beyond the digital realm. In June 2022, the company opened its
first offline center, named Vidyapeeth, in Kota, Rajasthan. This marked the
beginning of a broader strategy to establish physical centers across India,
aiming to provide students with a hybrid learning experience that combined the
best of both online and offline education.
Teaching Style and Impact
Alakh Pandey is renowned for his clear and straightforward
teaching style, which simplifies complex concepts and makes them accessible to
students. His ability to break down difficult topics into manageable segments
has resonated with millions of students, particularly those preparing for
competitive exams in India. This methodical approach has made him a beloved
figure among learners seeking to understand and excel in science subjects.
Authorship and Educational Contributions
In addition to his YouTube success, Alakh Pandey has also
authored several educational books. These publications are designed to help
students master their subjects and enhance their understanding. His role as an
author complements his online teaching, providing additional resources for
students to support their learning.
Philosophy and Vision
Alakh’s commitment to education is driven by his belief in
providing quality learning at an affordable price. He turned down a lucrative
job offer of Rs 75 crore to focus on his mission of making education accessible
and affordable for students, reflecting his dedication to his cause over
personal financial gain.
Challenges and Adjustments
Despite its success, Physics Wallah faced challenges along
the way. In March 2023, several teachers who had worked with the company
accused it of straying from its original mission and started their own rival
venture called Sankalp Bharat. This situation highlighted the growing
competitive landscape in the ed-tech sector. Later that year, the company also
encountered issues with employee retention, leading to the layoff of 150
employees as part of a performance-related adjustment.
Continued Growth and Future Prospects
By late 2023, Physics Wallah had expanded to 67 offline
centers across 34 cities in India. The company had also grown its app user base
significantly, with over 20 million downloads and nearly 10 million YouTube
subscribers. Despite the hurdles, the company’s commitment to providing
affordable, high-quality education remained strong, positioning it as a leading
player in the ed-tech industry with promising prospects for the future.
Ongoing Endeavors
Alakh continues to innovate and expand his educational
platform, striving to enhance the learning experience for students across
India. His journey from a struggling student to a leading educator underscores
his remarkable perseverance and dedication to transforming education.
Timeline for Alakh’s story
October 2, 1991: Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Class 6: Started earning money by giving tuition.
2009-2013: Pursued B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at
Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur.
2013: Dropped out of college to follow his passion for
teaching.
2013-2015: Worked as a tutor in Allahabad.
2016: Launched YouTube channel Physics Wallah.
2018: Launched the Physics Wallah mobile app with
significant early success.
2020: Launched the Physics Wallah app to expand educational
reach.
2021: Received the Rising EdTech Startup of India award from
ZEE Rise Startup.
2022: Physics Wallah became a unicorn after raising $100
million.
June 2022: Opened first offline center, Vidyapeeth, in Kota,
Rajasthan.
2022: Hindi web series "Physics Wallah" released
on Amazon Mini TV.
2023: Expanded to 67 offline centers across 34 cities.
March 2023: Faced controversy with teachers starting a rival
venture.
Late 2023: Reached over 20 million app downloads and nearly
10 million YouTube subscribers.
