Prerna Jhunjhunwala, an Indian serial entrepreneur, has defied the odds by building a Rs 330 crore mobile app without any formal business education from IIT or IIM. Her organic growth strategy and minimal marketing spends have led to impressive results, with the app being downloaded 9 million times in the Indian subcontinent.
The Journey of Prerna Jhunjhunwala
From a Successful Pre-School in Singapore to a Revolutionary Educational App, Prerna Jhunjhunwala is Changing the Game in Children’s Education.
Jhunjhunwala’s entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of a successful pre-school in Singapore. Her passion for education and desire to make a difference in the lives of young children led her to develop Creative Galileo
It is a startup aimed at providing innovative educational content for children between 3 and 8 years old. The app offers narrative videos, gamification, and personalized learning journeys to engage and educate young minds.
Impressive Growth and Funding:
Despite minimal marketing spends, Creative Galileo has experienced tremendous organic growth. The company raised around Rs 60 crore in a funding round last year, valuing the startup at a staggering 40 million dollars (Rs 330 crore).
Jhunjhunwala’s dedication to her vision and strong execution has garnered praise from investors like Vani Kola, who noted that the app consistently ranks among the top 20 in the children’s section.
Expansion Plans and Team Growth:
With the success of Creative Galileo, Jhunjhunwala has ambitious plans for the future. She aims to double her team from 30 to 60 employees within a year and expand the company’s presence in international markets like Indonesia and Vietnam.
This expansion will allow Creative Galileo to reach even more children and provide them with the educational tools they need to succeed.
According to Prerna Jhunjhunwala, the app developed by Creative Galileo has garnered over 7 million downloads and boasts more than 7 lakh, monthly active users. Jhunjhunwala also states that a significant portion of the app’s downloads, approximately 10 percent, comes from countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and the United States.
To further enhance the app’s offerings, Creative Galileo has introduced new characters including Chakra, Young Baahubali, Tenali Rama, Kalia the Crow, Bal Ganesh, and Ghatothkach. Jhunjhunwala believes that the early childhood education (ECE) sector was ready for disruption.
Embracing Vernacular Language Content:
In an effort to make Creative Galileo more accessible to a diverse range of users, the company is planning to launch content in vernacular languages. This move will enable children from various linguistic backgrounds to benefit from the app’s innovative educational content.
Addressing the Growing Population and Teacher Deficit:
Jhunjhunwala’s decision to bring education online through Creative Galileo is a strategic response to the growing population and the deficit of teachers in India. By offering high-quality educational content through a digital platform, she is helping to bridge the gap between the demand for education.
These digitally native children are adept at searching for their favorite content on platforms like YouTube. Kalaari Capital emphasized that this generation has become comfortable with online learning, which has significantly improved access to quality education.
While YouTube Kids provides an extensive content library, it lacks personalization and assessment of learning requirements, offering only passive content consumption.
The limited availability of qualified teachers. Her Singapore venture, which now boasts seven schools, is a testament to her commitment to providing accessible and effective education for children. Prerna Jhunjhunwala’s journey as a self-made entrepreneur is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with determination, passion, and a clear vision.
Her success in building a Rs 330 crore educational app without formal business education from IIT or IIM demonstrates that unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary results. As Creative Galileo continues to grow and expand, Jhunjhunwala’s impact on the world of children’s education will only become more significant.
