The South Asia EdTech 100 is HolonIQ's annual list of the most promising EdTech startups from the region.
The South Asia EdTech 100 is focused on identifying young, fast growing and innovative learning, teaching and up-skilling startups from the region. Powered by data and insights from our Impact Intelligence Platform together with qualitative assessments by HolonIQ’s Intelligence Unit, and local market experts, organizations are evaluated and scored based on our eligibility and assessment criteria, which excludes EdTech's founded over 10 years ago, or those which have exited (listed, acquired or controlled by another organisation).
The South Asia EdTech 100 is aligned to the Global Learning Landscape, an Open-Source Taxonomy that maps the education and talent market
Exhibit 2
Solutions for workforce and skills rise sharply this year as the race for skilled talent heats up. Categories to note include professional certification providers include health (Virohan), finance (Zell Education) and technology (NxtWave and CodersTrust). Coaching, mentoring and the development of soft skills such are also present including Mentoria, MentorKart, Mindler and Thrive Springs.
Systems and tech solutions that support schools, institutions and companies to deliver learning make up 20% of this year’s cohort with the long, slow shift to digitization of formal education systems and slow structural move to online and hybrid learning. Solutions all across the lifecycle are present, including communication systems such as Uolo and SpaceBasic, education financing solutions (Jodo, Leap, Auxilo)
In K12, maths, literacy and STEAM are popular, with the category of ‘life skills learning’ growing in importance as concern for mental health, wellness and a rounded education are top of mind. Openhouse and Eight Times Eight are examples. However, the Tutoring and Test Prep category still dominate the K12 sector with new players such as SuperKalam focusing on AI-led mentors for exam prep, to more mature startups such as PhysicsWallah.
Exhibit 3
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Direct-to-Consumer EdTech remains the dominant model in South Asia.
Three quarters of this year’s cohort operate a direct-to-consumer model with examples across all segments including K12 learning apps such as Brightchamps and Creative Galileo and many tutoring/test prep solutions, along with language learning (Clapingo, Stimuler), shortcourse platforms (Seekho, SkilloVilla) and upskilling marketplaces, such as Pep, where users can discover, buy, or sell content. Recruitment and admissions platforms for search, discovery, matching and admissions also remain a solid category with startups such as CollegeDekho, College Vidya and Leverage Edu.
Exhibit 4
Only 15% of the cohort less than three years old, with established startups leaving little room for new competition.
Indicative of most global markets, the number of early stage startups has plummeted in this year’s South Asia list as investors remain focused on fundamentals. More mature startups which already have market traction are doubling down on achieving profitabililty and value creation for their stakeholders, leaving less room for new competitors.
Of those founded less than three years ago, AI is central to a number of models such as Ambitio, offering an ‘AI copilot’ for education abroad, Stimuler, a speaking proficiency platform, or Kalam, offering real-time doubt resolution, personalized feedback & handwritten answer evaluation. Other notable trends are EdTech startups focusing on integrating work into learning such as YouVah, an internship platform for teenagers in India or Emversity, which collaborates with universities to offer industry-relevant training and prepare students for careers. Alternates to traditional providers are also in show with Tetr and Mesa offering ‘new’ business schools.
Exhibit 5
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