Introduction

Mumbai, the country's financial hub, is home to Vikas Kakwani and Leela Kakwani, the founders of AAS Vidyalaya, or Anytime Anywhere School. The goal of the educational start-up AAS Vidyalaya is to provide education to kids who are unable to attend classes. This is an online learning platform for kids in India that was launched for students between the ages of six and ten. The kids can begin their educational journey on a smartphone by downloading their free Android app, which is the nicest part. You can visit their website, register your children, select a Board that is linked with them, and begin their educational journey on a smartphone. You can log on to their website, register your kids, choose an affiliated board, and start streaming on your laptop too.

The startup is based on the idea that a large number of students in India do not have access to quality education due to various reasons such as lack of resources, infrastructure, and qualified teachers. The country has 8 lakh primary schools, 4 lakh middle schools, and 1.5 lakh secondary schools, but the average attendance is only around 50%, and only 30 out of 100 students pass the 10th-grade examination.

The business model of AAS Vidyalaya is primarily focused on providing anytime, anywhere schooling to students who may not have access to traditional schools due to financial, geographical, or other constraints. The startup aims to use technology to reach students in every corner of the country and provide quality education to every student. The startup offers its services through an app that has all the necessary curriculum for students from classes 6 to 10, following the NCERT curriculum. The app allows students to attend classes, take tests, and generate report cards, and parents-teacher meetings can also be held through the application. AAS Vidyalaya also has its own cyber cafe where only their classes are held for students who may not have access to a smartphone or an internet connection.

Founder’s Journey

Aas Vidyalaya, which was founded in 2019 by Vikas and Leena Kakwani, entered the educational field with a mission that goes beyond convention. Their mission was to give every child, regardless of location or socio economic status, access to a high-quality education. It was an ambitious but laudable ambition. The creators recognised that technology may serve as a link between inquiring minds and educational resources, dismantling previous obstacles to learning.

An overwhelmed Vikas Kakwani, founder of the educational app shared, “Education is everybody’s fundamental right and everyone deserves to get it, but sadly that’s not the case in our country. Hence, Leena and I started a journey with a mission to provide schooling for the masses – ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ and bring mobility to education for the students with AAS Vidyalaya.

“This is the most cherished and closed project for the both of us; it’s a huge step for making a difference in the lives of millions. Being on Shark Tank India feels like we have finally got the much needed wind beneath our wings that we were looking for. Collaboration with the Sharks, the charismatic leaders of the startup industry will give us special recognition at a national level. “This will help us in achieving more visibility in other states which in turn will encourage more students to get educated and generate employment. We want to connect the people from remote areas who do not get access to quality education.

Business Model of Aas Vidyalaya

The main goal of AAS Vidyalaya's business strategy is to give students who would not have access to traditional schools because of socioeconomic, geographic, or other limitations anytime, anyplace education. The firm wants to reach children all throughout the nation with high-quality education by utilising technology.

The firm provides its services via an app that includes the entire NCERT curriculum for children in classes 6 through 10. Students can use the app to take examinations, create report cards, and attend lessons. Parents-teacher conferences can also be conducted using the app. Additionally, for students who might not have access to a smartphone, AAS Vidyalaya has its own internet cafe where only their classes are held. The target customer of AAS Vidyalaya is primarily the middle-class family, who may not have the necessary resources to afford traditional schooling for their children. The startup also offers a B2C model and has partnered with companies who have their industries set up in remote or small villages to provide capital to set up AAS Vidyalaya cafes in their campuses.

Sales and Revenue of Aas Vidyalaya

AAS Vidyalaya's revenue for the 2020–21 fiscal year was 70 lakhs. The startup's current revenue is over 1.50 crore, a considerable rise over the prior year. With an estimated income of approximately 5 crore for the future, there is room for growth and expansion.

The B2C and B2B components of AAS Vidyalaya's business plan enable the startup to access a broad client base and produce income from a variety of sources. Businesses with operations based in isolated areas or little towns donate funds to open AAS Vidyalaya cafés on campus, which broadens the startup's customer base and increases income from the B2B business.

The startup's equity is divided into three divisions, with Vikas and other directors owning 70% equity, while Nidhi programme and other friends owning 7% and 23% equity respectively. The valuation of the company is 50 crores, indicating that the startup has achieved significant growth and has a strong market position.

Shark Tank India Deal

The AAS Vidyalaya pitchers requested Rs. 1.5 crore from Shark Tanks India Sharks in exchange for 3% equity of the business. On the other hand, Peyush Bansal, Namita Thapar, and Ashneer Grover together made counter offers totalling Rs. 1.5 crore in exchange for 15% of the company's stock.

In response, the pitchers offered 7.5% stock for Rs. 1.5 crore, which was subsequently modified to 10% for the same amount. Namita Thapar, nevertheless, was clear that there was no negotiating the deal. The greatest investment made in Shark Tank India till date was 15% equity for 1.5 crore rupees, which was the last offer made to AAS Vidyalaya.

This indicates that AAS Vidyalaya was successful in obtaining a substantial sum of money to develop and grow their company. The 15% equity will give the investors a stake in the company and also provide the startup with the necessary capital to continue innovating and expanding their services. Overall, the funding received from Shark Tank India is likely to help AAS Vidyalaya achieve their goals and take their business to the next level.