India’s edtech sector had a tough year in 2023 and now the interest of investors seems cautiously returning. Math learning startup Bhanzu is on the verge of raising Rs 130-140 crore ($16-$17 million) from Epiq Capital, Z3Partners and a couple of more backers. The deal would elevate its valuation to around $115-120 million and it will be slightly above its previous $100 million mark in September 2022.
Bhanzu was founded by Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash in 2021 and is widely known as the world’s fastest human calculator. It stands out in the crowded edtech space by focusing on mathematics niche. The goal is to help students in overcoming their fear of math through innovative and engaging learning experiences. Bhanzu has reportedly delivered more than 3 million teaching hours to 30,000 students and across 16 countries since its launch.
The latest round of funding will be its first in two years after $15 million Series A in 2022. The renewed interest in Bhanzu and similar companies is significant. The collapse of Byju’s and a return to offline education post-pandemic put a damper on investor enthusiasm.
Bhanzu’s partnership with Epiq Capital and Z3Partners is noteworthy as both are new to the edtech sector. The investment signals a growing belief that targeted and high-quality educational offerings have staying power beyond the pandemic-driven edtech surge.
If Bhanzu’s expansion plans succeed, it could capture a larger share of the market and also inspire more niche-focused edtech startups. Prakash aims to broaden Bhanzu’s reach to markets like the United States, this funding round could mark the beginning of a new chapter in edtech—one defined not by scale alone but by meaningful, subject-focused learning that resonates globally.
