Biography of Sumeet Mehta:CEO & Co-Founder of LEAD & Zee Learn -Entrepreneur
Biography of Sumeet Mehta:
Sumeet, the CEO and Co-Founder of LEAD, has always been
deeply connected to education. With a background rooted in teaching, he made it
his life’s mission to address one of India’s most significant challenges: the
disparity in the quality of schooling between small towns and larger cities.
Unlike many other ed-tech companies focusing on after-school solutions, Sumeet
chose the more challenging path of transforming entire school systems. His goal
was clear: to provide every child, regardless of location, access to
high-quality education.
Early Life and Educational Roots
Sumeet's journey began in the small town of Pathankot,
nestled in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh. Growing up in a family of
educators, with both parents as teachers, as well as his brother and
sister-in-law, teaching seemed like the natural path. However, Sumeet's ambitions
stretched beyond the classroom. After completing his schooling, he pursued
engineering at PEC Chandigarh and later earned an MBA from the prestigious
IIM-Ahmedabad. It was during his transition from small-town life to higher
education that Sumeet first recognized the stark disparities between
educational opportunities in small towns versus big cities, sparking a lifelong
desire to bridge that gap.
Early Career Success at Procter & Gamble
Sumeet's professional career kicked off with a successful
stint at Procter & Gamble in Singapore, where he spent eight years in brand
management, overseeing businesses in Australia, Southeast Asia, and India. His
experience at P&G honed his business acumen and leadership skills, but the
desire to impact education in smaller towns never left his mind.
A Corporate Journey with Procter & Gamble
Sumeet’s professional journey before venturing into
education was marked by his time at Procter & Gamble Singapore. Over eight
years, he managed the Healthcare and Skincare businesses across the
Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Southeast Asia, and India. This
experience in brand management and business leadership equipped him with the
skills necessary to lead large-scale operations and drive innovation, which he
later applied in the education sector.
A Fortuitous Encounter Leading to Zee Learn
In a twist of fate, upon deciding to return to India with
his wife Smita, who was also his life partner, Sumeet met Subhash Chandra, the
founder of Zee TV and chairperson of Essel Group. This meeting led to an
unexpected opportunity, and he soon found himself at the helm of Zee Learn as
CEO.
Scaling Success at Zee Learn
Before founding LEAD, Sumeet was the CEO of Zee Learn, where
he played a crucial role in scaling the company fivefold. Under his leadership,
Zee Learn expanded its presence across pre-schools, K-12 schools, and school
solutions. Sumeet’s ability to drive growth and transform educational
institutions became evident during his tenure at Zee Learn, setting the stage
for his future success with LEAD.
Biography of Sumeet Mehta:CEO & Co-Founder of LEAD & Zee LearnEntrepreneur /Investor/Startup/Success story of Sumeet Mehta/Life story of Sumeet Mehta
Transforming Zee Learn into an Education Powerhouse
During his tenure from 2007 to 2012, Sumeet transformed Zee
Learn from a simple pre-school franchise into a comprehensive education company
with a diverse presence in pre-schools, K-10 schools, and innovative
educational programs. Under his leadership, the company’s revenue grew
fivefold, and he was instrumental in developing groundbreaking pedagogies like
iLLUME and Litera Octave, setting new standards in educational innovation.
The Humble Beginnings of LEAD
In 2012, Sumeet and his co-founder embarked on their
ambitious journey by establishing a small school on the outskirts of Ahmedabad,
a village where only 14 students enrolled initially. This modest beginning was
the foundation of what would eventually become a global education powerhouse.
Their focus on transforming the education system from the ground up set them
apart and laid the groundwork for LEAD’s future growth.
Rapid Growth and Global Ambitions
Today, LEAD has expanded far beyond that small village
school. With over 3,500 partner schools and 1.4 million students under its
umbrella, LEAD is now poised to become the third-largest school ed-tech company
globally. Sumeet’s vision extends to addressing the educational needs of over
140 million students across nearly 450,000 schools in India. By leveraging
technology and innovative teaching methods, LEAD aims to bridge the gap between
urban and rural education and make a significant impact on the nation’s future.
An Educator by Choice
Sumeet’s transition from corporate management to education
was driven by a deep sense of purpose. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and PEC
Chandigarh, he brought over 20 years of experience in management and leadership
positions to his role as an educator. Choosing to become an educator was a
deliberate decision for Sumeet, reflecting his commitment to making a
meaningful difference in the lives of millions of students across India.
Building a Robust Education System at LEAD
As the Co-Founder of LEAD School, Sumeet took on the
responsibility of ensuring that the education system delivered by LEAD was of
the highest quality. He was instrumental in research and development,
incorporating some of the best academic systems from around the world. His
focus was not only on making education accessible and affordable but also on
delivering a curriculum that could compete with the best globally, ensuring
that every child in India had the opportunity to excel.
A Vision for Learning Excellence in India
Sumeet’s passion for education is driven by his belief that
democratizing education is the key to building a more equitable and developed
nation. His vision for LEAD is to bring learning excellence to every child in
India, regardless of their background or location. By focusing on innovative
teaching methods and leveraging technology, he aims to provide all students
with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
Transforming Zee Learn’s Educational Offerings
During his tenure as CEO at Zee Learn from 2007 to 2012,
Sumeet transformed the institution from a simple pre-school franchise into a
comprehensive education company. He expanded its presence in pre-schools and
K-10 schools and introduced science activity and animation classes. Under his
leadership, Zee Learn’s revenue grew fivefold, demonstrating his ability to
drive growth and innovate within the education sector.
Pioneering Innovative Pedagogies
One of Sumeet’s notable achievements at Zee Learn was the
development of new-to-the-world pedagogies such as iLLUME and Litera Octave.
These innovative teaching methods set a new standard for both preschools and
schools, highlighting Sumeet’s commitment to raising the bar for educational
excellence. His work in this area was instrumental in establishing Zee Learn as
a leader in educational innovation.
Brand Management Expertise at Procter & Gamble
Before his foray into education, Sumeet spent eight years at
Procter & Gamble Singapore, where he honed his skills in brand management.
Leading businesses in Australia, Southeast Asia, and India, he gained valuable
experience in managing large-scale operations and driving business growth. This
corporate experience provided him with a solid foundation for his future
ventures in the education sector.
The Drive to Make a Difference in Education
Despite his success in the corporate world, Sumeet's true
passion lay in addressing the educational inequities he had observed during his
own academic journey. He had always felt a deep-seated obligation to improve
education for children in small towns, who often lacked the awareness, access,
and exposure available to their counterparts in larger cities. This realization
fueled his desire to make a meaningful impact in the education sector,
particularly for children growing up in rural and semi-urban areas.
Building Schools on a Shoestring Budget
The journey to establishing these schools was far from easy.
With limited capital, Sumeet and Smita acquired buildings and land on long-term
leases, setting up their first school with just 1.5 crore INR. There wasn’t a
detailed business plan, but there was a strong intention and belief that if
they provided quality education, the schools would succeed. They knew that
parents in small towns were as eager as those in big cities to provide their
children with a good education, and they trusted that their commitment to
quality would pay off.
Expanding Reach and Impact in Non-Metro Cities
LEAD offers a range of services, including full-stack school
edtech solutions targeting students, especially in non-metro cities. The
startup aims to reach 25 million students in 60,000 schools by the end of 2026.
According to the startup, it will be entering the 2022-23 academic year with
more than 5,000 schools from across 500 Indian cities on board, serving more
than 2 million students.
Achieving Unicorn Status and Financial Milestones
LEAD became the first Indian startup to hit unicorn
valuation in 2022 when it raised $100 million at a valuation of $1.1 billion.
The edtech startup is backed by WestBridge Capital, Elevar Equity, and GSV
Ventures, among others. It has raised $166 million across various funding
rounds.
Life in Mumbai and Personal Interests
Now residing in Mumbai with his family, Sumeet continues to
lead LEAD with the same passion and dedication that he has shown throughout his
career. Outside of work, he is an avid reader and enjoys traveling, interests
that keep him curious and inspired. His personal life reflects his commitment
to continuous learning and personal growth, values that he also strives to
instill in the students at LEAD.
Sustained Growth at Zee Learn
Throughout his time at Zee Learn, Sumeet consistently
demonstrated his ability to drive growth and innovation. The company’s revenue
multiplied under his leadership, and he introduced new pedagogies that were
ahead of their time. His work at Zee Learn not only transformed the company but
also set new standards for the education industry as a whole.
A Legacy of Educational Transformation
Sumeet’s journey from corporate executive to education
innovator is a testament to his dedication and vision. By focusing on
transforming entire school systems and bringing quality education to
underserved areas, he has created a lasting impact on the lives of millions of
students. Through LEAD, Sumeet continues to work towards his goal of
democratizing education and building a more equitable future for all.
Timeline for Sumeet’s story
Early Life: Born in Pathankot, Himachal Pradesh.
2000-2008: Worked at Procter & Gamble in brand
management.
2007-2012: CEO of Zee Learn, transforming it into a major
education company.
2012: Co-founded LEAD with Smita Deorah, starting with a
small school in Ahmedabad.
2012-2016: Expanded LEAD to multiple cities, serving thousands
of students.
2017-2020: Entered the edtech market with full-stack school
solutions.
2022: LEAD became a unicorn, valued at $1.1 billion.
2023-Present: Focus on reaching 25 million students by 2026.
