Biography of Sunil Raina: Founder and CEO of Kaabil Kids- Entrepreneur
Introduction to Sunil Raina
Sunil Raina is the founder and CEO of Kaabil Kids, an online
chess academy aimed at children aged 5 to 15. His journey into the world of
chess coaching stems from his personal experience with the sport and his
passion for making it accessible to young minds. Before venturing into the
chess coaching space, Raina built a strong career in customer service and
operations, working with well-known companies like SAGE Publications and India
Today.
A Vision for Chess Education
Sunil's dream is to create the world’s number one chess
academy for kids, one that would not only teach the game but also foster
holistic development. With this vision in mind, he founded Kaabil Kids in 2019.
His goal is to train over a crore of children, helping them improve their chess
skills while also developing their mental agility and other life skills.
Early Career Background
Before launching Kaabil Kids, Raina worked in customer
service management. He had significant roles at SAGE Publications, managing the
circulation of academic books and journals, and at India Today, where he built
up customer servicing operations. His experience in managing teams and setting
up operational processes has been instrumental in his current venture.
The Birth of Kaabil Kids
Kaabil Kids was born out of Raina’s desire to give children
the opportunity he never had. As a child, Raina was passionate about chess but
lacked proper guidance, which caused him to give up the game. However, his love
for chess was reignited through his son, and this led him to start teaching
chess to children. His efforts soon grew from informal lessons in his apartment
complex to an organized online academy.
The Role of Tejas Bakre
Kaabil Kids differentiates itself by offering a curriculum
designed by International Grandmaster Tejas Bakre. This collaboration ensures
that the training is of the highest quality. Bakre’s vast experience as a chess
player and coach brings authenticity and expertise to the platform, which has
been crucial in shaping the success of Kaabil Kids.
The Unique Approach of Kaabil Kids
Kaabil Kids focuses on more than just chess strategies. The
platform integrates the mental development of children, offering psychological
support alongside chess training. This holistic approach helps children not
only improve their chess game but also enhances their focus, critical thinking,
and problem-solving abilities.
Biography of Sunil Raina: Founder and CEO of Kaabil Kids- Entrepreneur/age/net worth/investor/startup/online chess academy/Kaabil Kids story/shark tan
Milestones Achieved
Since its inception, Kaabil Kids has produced 30 FIDE-rated
players, a significant achievement in the competitive world of chess.
Additionally, many of the academy's students have excelled at various levels,
including school, district, state, and even national chess competitions. This
success showcases the effectiveness of Kaabil Kids' training methods and
curriculum.
Making Chess Accessible to All
Kaabil Kids' primary aim is to make chess coaching
accessible and affordable. They’ve designed their platform to cater to kids at
different levels, ensuring that every child, regardless of their starting
point, has the chance to improve. The academy offers a live platform for
children to practice chess at any time, reinforcing the importance of regular
practice.
Monthly Tournaments for Progress
The academy organizes monthly tournaments to encourage
children to implement what they’ve learned. These events give students an
opportunity to put their chess skills to the test in a competitive yet
supportive environment. This approach motivates kids to work harder and track
their progress, ensuring that they continue to grow and learn.
The Shark Tank India Pitch
Kaabil Kids made an appearance on Shark Tank India, where
Sunil Raina pitched the company to potential investors. During the pitch, he
asked for Rs 70 lakh in exchange for a 2% equity stake in the company, which
valued the business at Rs 35 crore. The pitch featured not only Raina but also
Grandmaster Tejas Bakre, who plays a crucial role in the academy’s curriculum
development.
Concerns Over the Equity Split
During the pitch, Shark Amit Jain expressed concerns about
the equity split among the founders, particularly regarding Tejas Bakre’s small
0.15% stake. While Bakre is paid Rs 6 lakh per year as a consultancy fee, Jain
questioned the fairness of the distribution. This led to a discussion about
whether the equity allocation was justified, given Bakre’s significant
contribution to the academy’s success.
Investment Offer from Sharks
Despite some concerns, the Sharks recognized the potential
of Kaabil Kids. Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta made an offer of Rs 50 lakh for a
5% equity stake, along with an additional Rs 20 lakh as debt at 12% interest
for two years. This deal valued Kaabil Kids at Rs 25 crore, slightly lower than
the initial valuation but still a major step forward for the company.
Challenges in Scaling Without AI
One of the key challenges pointed out by the Sharks was the
scalability of Kaabil Kids. Since the company relies on live human coaching
rather than artificial intelligence, it may face difficulties in expanding
rapidly. This concern was raised by Anupam Mittal and others, who questioned
how the academy could scale without leveraging AI technology in a field where
many other platforms are moving towards automation.
A New Beginning with Investment
The investment deal was a turning point for Kaabil Kids,
offering both financial support and valuable business insights. With Namita
Thapar and Aman Gupta onboard, Raina is hopeful that Kaabil Kids will be able
to expand its reach and continue to nurture young chess talent across India.
The partnership marks a new chapter in the journey to fulfill Raina’s vision of
creating a world-class chess academy for children.
Timeline for Sunil Raina founded Kaabil Kids story
2019 - Sunil Raina founded Kaabil Kids, an online chess
academy aimed at children aged 5-15, with the goal of offering both chess
training and mental development
Shark Tank India Pitch - Raina pitched Kaabil Kids on Shark
Tank India, seeking Rs 70 lakh for a 2% equity stake, with a business valuation
of Rs 35 crore.
Investment Offer - Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta offered Rs
50 lakh for 5% equity and an additional Rs 20 lakh as debt. The deal valued the
company at Rs 25 crore.
Post-Shark Tank - With investment and guidance from the
Sharks, Kaabil Kids plans to expand, improve its scalability, and continue
developing its chess curriculum for children.
