Biography of Chitranshu Mahant: Founder & CEO of Primebook- Entrepreneur
Biography of Chitranshu Mahant:
Chitranshu Mahant, the co-founder and CEO of Primebook
India, has become a notable name in the education and tech industry with his
innovative product— the Primebook 4G Android Laptop. Designed specifically for
students, this affordable and feature-packed laptop aims to bridge the digital
divide in India. Primebook is not only an educational tool but also a
game-changer in terms of accessibility to technology for millions of students
across the country.
Early Education and Inspiration
Born and raised in New Delhi, Chitranshu Mahant had a strong
academic background. He completed his schooling at Bhavan’s Sawan Public School
before pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, graduating in 2015. It was during his time
at IIT that Mahant developed an interest in research and innovation, a passion
that would eventually lead him to become a pioneer in the education technology
space.
A Foundation in Research and Innovation
While at IIT, Chitranshu’s curiosity about problem-solving
and innovation led him to an internship at the Indian Institute of Management
(IIM) Bangalore. There, he worked as a research associate at the Centre of
Excellence in Urban Governance, focusing on solid waste management. This
experience helped Chitranshu develop a strong problem-solving mindset and gave
him the foundation to think critically about the world’s challenges, especially
in the field of education and technology.
The Birth of Primebook
Chitranshu's journey toward founding Primebook began after
he completed his engineering degree. In 2015, he joined Smartivity Labs Pvt.
Ltd., where he worked as the Head of Sales and helped build a retail
distribution network across over 60 cities in India. Meanwhile, his IIT
batchmate Aman Verma, who later became the co-founder of Primebook, was working
at Paytm. Despite their different career paths, Chitranshu and Aman remained in
close contact, often discussing ideas and projects.
The Vision to Bridge the Digital Gap
As they worked in their respective fields, Chitranshu and
Aman were both driven by the idea of making quality education accessible to
students across India. They recognized that one of the biggest barriers to
learning was the lack of affordable digital devices for students. With this
realization, they began to brainstorm ways to create a low-cost,
high-performance laptop that could connect students to the digital world. This
idea led to the creation of Primebook, a 4G-enabled Android laptop designed specifically
for education.
From Idea to Reality
In 2017, Chitranshu and Aman took a leap of faith and
decided to quit their jobs to focus on launching Primebook. They wanted to
create a device that would provide students with a full laptop experience,
including internet connectivity and access to educational tools, without the
high price tag of traditional laptops. Through countless brainstorming sessions
and hard work, they developed the Primebook, which runs on the proprietary
PrimeOS and is designed to cater to the needs of school students, test prep students,
and job aspirants.
Primebook’s Key Features
One of the standout features of Primebook is its 4G
connectivity, which allows students to stay connected with their teachers and
peers at all times. It provides a desktop experience with multi-window support,
allowing users to work on various tasks simultaneously. The laptop is powered
by Android, offering access to thousands of apps, including essential ones like
Word, Excel, Gmail, Zoom, and WhatsApp. Additionally, Primebook comes with
built-in educational tools like PrimeCoding, PrimeSecure, and PrimeFiles, which
enhance the learning experience and ensure safety and privacy for students.
Biography of Chitranshu Mahant: Founder & CEO of Primebook- Entrepreneur/ age/net worth/investor/startup/affordable, educational laptops/Primebook
Making Primebook Affordable
Primebook’s affordability is another key factor that sets it
apart. Priced at just INR 15,000, it has quickly become a popular choice among
students, especially in India, where digital education has become a necessity.
This affordable price point is crucial for making digital learning accessible
to students who otherwise could not afford high-end laptops. The product's
design and features make it an ideal solution for families and students seeking
a reliable, budget-friendly device.
Shark Tank India Pitch
In 2022, Primebook’s co-founders appeared on the popular
business reality show Shark Tank India, hoping to secure funding to scale their
operations. During the pitch, Chitranshu highlighted the challenge faced by
over 25 crore students in India who lacked access to affordable education and
digital tools. The sharks were immediately intrigued by the concept and the
impact Primebook could have on education in India. The founders initially asked
for ₹75 lakhs in exchange for 1.5% equity, valuing the company at ₹50 crore.
Sealing the Deal with Investors
After an intense round of negotiations, Primebook’s founders
struck a deal with two of the sharks—Aman Gupta of Boat and Peyush Bansal of
Lenskart. They agreed to invest ₹75 lakhs for a 3% equity stake in the company,
reducing the valuation to ₹25 crore. This investment was a major milestone for
Primebook, as it provided the necessary funds to expand their operations,
improve their product offerings, and reach more students across India.
Expanding Reach and Growing the Brand
The investment from Shark Tank India has propelled
Primebook’s growth and helped it gain recognition in the competitive tech and
education sectors. With this funding, Primebook has been able to expand its
outreach to more schools, colleges, and students across the country. The
company is also focusing on increasing its distribution channels, including
e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, offline retail, and partnerships with
educational institutions.
Future Plans for Primebook
Chitranshu Mahant has big plans for the future of Primebook.
He aims to make digital education accessible to students globally by expanding
the availability of Primebook laptops and licensing PrimeOS to other
manufacturers. This move could help increase Primebook’s market reach beyond
India and generate additional revenue streams. By opening up the operating
system to global manufacturers, Primebook can potentially establish itself as a
significant player in the global tech industry.
A Strong Commitment to Quality
Primebook is committed to providing high-quality, durable
laptops to its customers. The company’s manufacturing partner adheres to strict
quality standards, with certifications such as ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015.
Primebook laptops undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet industry
standards for performance and reliability. Additionally, Primebook offers a
one-year warranty and free software updates for up to three years, providing
customers with peace of mind and a reliable product.
Manufacturing in India
Primebook is proud to be a made-in-India product. About 62%
of the components used in Primebook laptops, including the motherboard,
charger, and packaging materials, are sourced from India. The laptop is
manufactured by VVDN Technologies and Optiemus Electronics Ltd, two prominent
companies in the Indian tech manufacturing sector. While some components, like
the processor and memory, are imported, the majority of the production process
takes place in India, supporting the country’s manufacturing industry.
Aiming for Growth and Global Reach
Primebook's resource base includes a team of 40
professionals based in New Delhi, with partnerships with ed-tech companies,
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and educational NGOs. The company is
expanding its sales channels, including online platforms, offline retail, and
B2B partnerships with schools and colleges. By diversifying its revenue streams
and expanding its global footprint, Primebook aims to establish itself as a
leader in the global education technology sector.
Primebook’s Long-Term Impact on Education
Through its affordable, high-performance laptops, Primebook
is helping reduce the digital gap and making education accessible to millions
of students. Chitranshu Mahant’s vision of democratizing education through
technology is slowly becoming a reality. With Primebook, students from all
walks of life can access the tools they need to succeed in their studies and
prepare for the future. This mission is not only changing the way students
learn but also setting a new standard for affordable, high-quality education in
India and beyond.
A timeline based on Chitranshu Mahant's story:
2015 - Chitranshu Mahant graduated from IIT Delhi and joined
Smartivity Labs.
2017 - Chitranshu and Aman Verma co-founded Primebook to
create affordable, educational laptops.
2022 - Primebook appeared on Shark Tank India, pitching for
₹75 lakh.
2022 - Secured ₹75 lakh investment from Aman Gupta (Boat)
and Peyush Bansal (Lenskart).
2023 - Primebook expanded its reach and sales through
e-commerce and retail partnerships.
2024 - Primebook continues to bridge the digital divide,
aiming for global expansion.
