Biography of Sourav Gupta: Founder & CEO of GunjanApps Studios-Entrepreneur
Biography of Sourav Gupta:
Birth of GunjanApps Studios
Sourav Gupta, the co-founder of GunjanApps Studios, has
always been passionate about creating meaningful digital content. In 2017,
alongside his wife, Gunjan Gupta, they founded GunjanApps Studios with a simple
yet impactful vision: to make learning fun for kids through mobile apps. Their
company has grown remarkably, with over 40 apps in the market, reaching over
200 million downloads. Today, they focus on providing educational content to
kids, offering a unique learning experience through games.
From Idea to Reality
The idea for GunjanApps Studios came to life when Sourav and
Gunjan became parents. While looking for educational apps for their child, they
realized that the existing options didn't meet their expectations. They
couldn’t find apps that made learning engaging for kids, so they decided to
create their own. Their first app was aimed at helping children learn numbers
and alphabets, and it quickly became a hit. The couple's shared vision for the
future of kids' education became the driving force behind the company's
success.
Expanding Their Reach
Since its inception, GunjanApps Studios has focused on
creating apps that cater to children between the ages of 1.5 to 12 years old.
With apps available for free, the company has managed to create a significant
impact on young minds worldwide. Their games cover a wide range of educational
topics, from math to English and puzzles, helping children learn while playing.
The goal was never just to entertain, but to create value through innovative
and educational content.
The Global Impact of GunjanApps
GunjanApps Studios’ mission was always to make their apps
accessible to children everywhere. Their goal was to ensure that children from
different backgrounds could benefit from these educational tools. By offering
free access to their apps, they broke down financial barriers that could have
prevented many families from accessing quality learning content. Today, the
company is known for its large reach, supporting millions of kids and families
in learning and exploring the world through technology.
The Success of 'Math Games'
One of GunjanApps' most notable achievements is the game
Math Games, which has garnered over 55 million downloads. The game became
extremely popular in the education category on the Google Play Store, ranking
among the top educational apps in over 40 countries. This success is a
testament to the company's ability to create apps that resonate with users and
meet a real need in the market for quality educational tools.
Recognition by Google Play
Many of GunjanApps Studios' games have been featured in
Google Play's "Best Family Apps" and "Top Educational
Games" categories. This recognition further solidified the company's
position in the competitive world of educational apps for children. It also
helped build trust among users, as the games were endorsed by one of the
biggest app platforms in the world. This visibility contributed to their
exponential growth and success in the app market.
GunjanApps on Shark Tank India
In 2022, GunjanApps Studios appeared on Shark Tank India
Season 2, where they sought INR 2.5 crores for 1% equity at a company valuation
of INR 250 crores. The pitch allowed the founders to showcase their business
model and growth to a national audience. During their presentation, Sourav
shared how the idea for the company originated from their own experiences as
parents, looking for educational tools for their child.
Biography of Sourav Gupta: Founder & CEO of GunjanApps Studios-Entrepreneur/educational mobile apps for kids/age/net worth/shark tank/startup
The Sharks' Initial Reactions
Despite the impressive growth of GunjanApps Studios, the
sharks had mixed reactions to the pitch. While the founders explained their
vision and the success of their apps, some sharks were concerned about the
potential negative effects of increased screen time for children. Vineeta
Singh, for instance, felt that the apps could be addictive, and this would
ultimately hinder efforts to reduce screen time among kids. This perspective
caused some tension during the pitch.
Revenue Model and Financials
When Peyush Bansal asked about the company’s revenue model,
Sourav explained that their earnings come from three primary streams:
advertisements, in-app purchases, and subscriptions. The majority of their
revenue—96%—comes from advertisements, with a smaller portion generated from
in-app purchases and subscriptions. Sourav also revealed that their financials
were strong, with INR 24 crores in revenue for the fiscal year 2021-2022, and
INR 8.5 crores earned in just the first five months of the following fiscal
year.
Profitability and Growth
GunjanApps Studios is a profitable venture. In the fiscal
year 2020-2021, they reported INR 14.7 crores in sales, with a gross profit of
INR 22.8 crores and an EBITDA of INR 21 crores. These impressive financials
demonstrated the company's potential for continued growth. The team had already
scaled significantly, with 32 employees, and their ability to generate a
significant portion of their revenue from ads proved their business model was
working.
Sharks' Concerns and
Decisions
Despite the impressive numbers, the sharks were not
convinced. Vineeta, Namita, and Anupam all had concerns about the
sustainability of the business, particularly regarding its competitive edge
against bigger, established players in the industry. Anupam felt that
GunjanApps Studios' products were not differentiated enough to compete with
global giants. Despite Sourav’s efforts to explain how they planned to grow and
differentiate themselves, the sharks ultimately decided to back out.
The Persistence of the Founders
Although no deal was made on Shark Tank India, the founders
remained undeterred. They were confident in their product and its potential,
and they understood the challenges they faced in the highly competitive app
market. While the lack of investment was disappointing, they were more focused
on their long-term vision and continued to work hard toward building the
company into a global brand.
The Road Ahead for GunjanApps Studios
Even without the investment from the sharks, GunjanApps
Studios continued to grow. The founders remained focused on their mission to
make learning fun and interactive for children worldwide. With their extensive
range of apps, they were well on their way to achieving their goal of impacting
millions of children and parents globally. They are dedicated to improving
their products, exploring new ways to make education engaging, and expanding
their reach to new markets.
Lessons from Shark Tank
Their appearance on Shark Tank India taught the founders
valuable lessons about the importance of clarity, focus, and persistence.
Although they didn’t secure a deal, the experience helped them refine their
business strategy and gain feedback from experienced investors. It also served
as a platform to showcase their products to a larger audience, which helped
build the company’s credibility and brand recognition.
The Future of GunjanApps Studios
Looking forward, GunjanApps Studios aims to further expand
its impact in the world of educational technology. With a strong foundation, a
loyal user base, and a commitment to quality, the future looks promising.
Sourav and Gunjan’s story serves as an inspiration to other aspiring
entrepreneurs, showing that with hard work, innovation, and determination, it's
possible to build a successful company that can make a real difference in the
world.
A timeline based on the story of GunjanApps Studios:
2017 - Founding of GunjanApps Studios: Sourav and Gunjan
Gupta founded the company to create educational mobile apps for kids.
2017 - First App Launched: The couple released their first
app focused on teaching children numbers and alphabets.
2017-2021 - Growth and Expansion: Released over 40 apps,
reaching 200 million downloads and expanding their educational offerings.
2021 - Launch of 'Math Games': The game became a huge
success with 55 million downloads and global recognition.
2022 - Shark Tank India Appearance: The founders pitched
their business on Season 2 of Shark Tank India, seeking INR 2.5 crores for 1%
equity.
2022 - Sharks' Concerns: Despite strong financials, the
sharks raised concerns about competition and screen time issues.
2022 - No Deal on Shark Tank: No investment was secured, but
the founders remained confident in their vision.
2023 - Continued Growth: The company remained profitable,
with revenues increasing and a growing global user base.
2024 - Future Goals: The founders focus on expanding their
impact in educational technology with a strong commitment to quality and
innovation.
