The company will leverage the latest fund infusion for product as well as geographical expansion.

Please note that Inventus Capital and Chiratae Ventures (earlier known as IDG Ventures) had also participated in the Series A funding round.

Although the Bengaluru headquartered firm did not share any concrete figures, it claims to be growing at 150% on y-o-y basis for third straight year.

Founded in 2016 by IIT graduates Vivek Goyal and Dinesh Advani, PlayShifu competes in the niche space of stem education. It essentially makes educational toys by leveraging the augmented reality technology to create an immersive physical and digital learning experience for the kids.

What is Stem education?

Stem education takes a unique learning approach by laying great emphasis on critical areas of science, technology, engineering & mathematics, collectively known as Stem. By laying great emphasis on these subjects, it aims to enhance student’s problem solving and analytical skills.

PlayShifu claims that it has grown considerably through its aggressive omnichannel strategy, with the brand now available across 35 countries – a rapid growth from barely 15 countries in 2019.

Apart from Indian players, PlayShifu competes with many global players as well. This includes London based Kano, California based Wonder Workshop as well as Colorado based Sphero.

Techpluto recently conducted an exclusively interview with Charu Noheria, co-founder of Practically, one of the leading Stem startups of India.

India’s top stem startups  

• Smartivity Labs
• StemRobo
• Avishkaar Box
• Practically
• Evive

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As a result, Practically decided to take a very novel and unique approach by focusing on Stem learning. There are not many edtech startups in India that focus on STEM education. For all those who are not aware, STEM education is a learning method that particularly focuses on four disciplines – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These four disciplines, as is well known, play a very critical role in determining the academical fortune of students and therefore they always occupy a place of great primacy.

While Practically’s focus on STEM education sets it apart, its unique proposition or USP doesn’t end here. Guided by soaring ambition, this barely two-year-old startup has casted a web of immersive experience on their STEM education approach. By using cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality and immersive videos, Practically makes tough subjects like Math and Science into a fun and enthralling experience for students.

In other words, Practically has set its feet in a terrain where probably few edtech startups have dared to venture.

To know more about this groundbreaking startup, Techpluto spoke to Practically’s co-founder Charu Noheria. In an exclusive interview, Noheria sheds light on the experience that germinated the idea of Practically, the recent pre-series B funding, the edtech industry and much more.

Q) What really bothered you and other founding partners Subbarao Siddabattula and Ilangovel Thulasimani about India’s education landscape that eventually paved way for the idea of Practically?

When Subbarao Siddabattula, Ilangovel Thulasimani and I were bouncing off ideas to pursue, it became apparent that we were excited about tech-based, non-traditional methods of teaching and learning. We wanted to make dry subjects more interesting, engaging and fun for learners around the world.

I was a part of the competitive rat race for admission to the IITs in India and being extremely stressed during the preparations. I also dropped a year, switched five engineering streams and changed three colleges during the 18 months before choosing the correct stream. Unconsciously, this left a lasting mark on my mind which made me develop an affinity towards unconventional ways of learning.

Practically aims to bring back joy into classrooms. STEM subjects for school students have become dry and educators have few means to increase students’ rate of retention. Students have access to mostly passive and rote learning sources and methods when learning foundational concepts leading to less than 30% rate of retention. This disengagement leads to lack of interest in key subjects. Practically also aims to make everything that a learner needs available on a single app helping the parent pay for a single product containing content, simulations/AR, test prep, analytics/feedback, gamification, doubt resolution, live classes, coding, summer programs etc. in one place.

Q) While edtech has become a hyper-competitive space, do you think that the level of competition is the same when it comes to the niche area of STEM learning?

Science and Math specifically have always been the focus of students and parents in India. Though there have been many edtech products which cover all subject areas there are very few which take on STEM as a specialty and go deep into it. Due to its vast curriculum and broad range of applications, no one has been able to make a name in this particular space. Practically aims to become a pioneer in the area of STEM learning with its practical approach to delivering STEM concepts. STEM is not a niche segment in grades 6-12. Every student sees these subjects as scoring subjects as there is little room for error once you understand the concepts and can apply them. With experiential and interactive learning, STEM becomes a very interesting area to learn as it helps us makes sense of the world around us.

Q) How would you like to describe Practically’s impact on the students’ academic performance? Do you think that Practically’s experimental learning method is proving to be a boon for students?

Practically is an intelligent, interactive and immersive learning app for students of classes 6-12 with a focus on STEM learning. It is the only experiential learning app that brings learning alive through immersive videos, interactive augmented reality and 3D simulations. It has an edge over other learning apps in enhancing conceptual understanding and improving retention of concepts with features like life-like video content, hands-on learning, experiential learning, live classes and AI assistant. The app also has a 24×7 Seek Help feature for doubt resolution, where students can reach out to subject experts on the platform.

Practically uses cutting-edge technologies to deliver experiential learning to students. Our primary objective is to improve the rate of retention for students to more than 90% by using new-age learning methodology and experiential content.

Since our launch, we have received positive appreciation from our consumers and customers regarding our approach, curriculum. Currently we have 3.2 lac students benefitting from Practically and 15,000 teachers in 200+ schools have found the Practically School Solution very helpful.

Q) Can you give us a rough idea about the download numbers of the Practically app and roughly how many students have so far benefited from the app?

So far 320,000 students are registered on the Practically app. This speaks volumes about our curriculum, services and offerings. With our new-age classroom experience, over 15,000 teachers in 200 schools have already started benefiting from the Practically School Solution.

Q) Fundraising usually proves to be an overwhelming affair for most startups. How challenging it was to convince investors to believe and back up your business idea.

Fundraising isn’t easy, it takes patience and critical time of founders who also need to focus on building the business. Balancing the two is like doing two full-time jobs. Even a slight amount of delay in securing funds can be detrimental to the business. Moments like those can demoralize you, as you can see the market opportunity slipping away in front of you and there is nothing you can do. I am sure a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to that feeling.

Luckily for us, we have survived our early battles, gone through many ups and downs, raised multiple rounds of funding and are now in a very good place. Personally for me, fundraising has been a very rewarding experience. I have learnt a lot along the way and added some incredible people in my close network.

Practically’s usage of cutting-edge technology has received tremendous response from schools, administration, faculty, parents and students. Our strong team has leveraged the unique products we have built together to attract and win the trust and confidence of the right investors focused on this sector.

Q) Your comments about the recent $4 Mn pre-series B funding round. How does Practically plan to utilize the latest capital infusion?

With the latest round of funding, we expect to expand our footprint to the rest of the country by the end of 2021. With the positive response that we have received so far from our presence in the Middle East market, we aim to reach out to many more schools there in 2021. We are also looking to move to the US by the end of the year. While we are offering services for grades 6-12, in 2021 we will also enter the K-5 segment. We are also planning to add over 2,000 employees by December 2021 to ramp up our services across the country.

Q) Roughly by when does Practically aim to achieve profitability or break even?  

We estimate in the next 12 months, we will be profitable and can self-sustain the growth we set out to achieve. There is huge demand for our solution both in the domestic market as well as internationally and we are well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities fairly quickly as the product has already been launched and is set up for scale.

Q) Today Practically has an overwhelming presence in Andhra Pradesh and the Telangana region. Any plans to consolidate your position in other markets and regions in the distant future?   

While Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are our home markets where we have focused so far, through our first brand campaign ‘Bring Learning Alive’ we reached out to audiences  pan India as we plan to expand to the rest of the country this year.

We are expecting to establish our footprint globally. We are already present in the UAE and are looking to move to the US by the end of the year. Although the near-term plan is to expand into other English-speaking countries globally, we are also exploring with partners in countries where there is a need for content in other languages since Practically’s immersive animated video content can be easily localised.

Q) Your thoughts on the current scenario as well as the future of India’s edtech industry?

The EdTech sector is witnessing unprecedented growth owing to the increasing adoption of technology during the pandemic. We believe that technology adoption in the education sector is yet to see its peak and the growth trajectory is likely to continue beyond the pandemic years. The lockdown induced by the pandemic has brought an ever-increasing demand for EdTech products in India. Consumers are becoming more aware of the offerings and accessibility thus leading to bring in innovations in learning. With steep competition, players need to modify their offerings to engage consumers constantly.

The sector poses some challenges in terms of infrastructure such as access to devices like laptops, smartphones, availability of internet access for the learners in rural areas. Also, the lack of exposure to high-end technologies is creating disparity amongst the students. Usage of shared devices between children and parents are also making the engagement process challenging. We along with Government need to devise a strategy addressing these concerns on an immediate basis ensuring seamless access to education across geographies.

Q) Lastly, how difficult and challenging it is for a woman to grow & sustain in the male-dominated entrepreneurial world?

Unfortunately in India, women are disproportionately represented in the economic market. While the Indian economy is largely male-dominated, slowly women are making their way up and creating successful revenue streaks. To encourage women participation, we need to change our perception and create a more inclusive environment. To achieve gender equality, we need to create awareness about the role and responsibility of women and educate people on women issues.

Technology is a great enabler and provides a level playing field irrespective of gender. With increased participation of women, the Indian startup ecosystem is being recognized for the growing number of successful women CXOs and VCs. According to a report by Bain & Company and by Google, Indian women entrepreneurs are poised to generate 150–170 million jobs. Keeping this in mind, we need to change our mindset and welcome women in the workforce as leaders. We need to acknowledge their creative potential and develop a supportive ecosystem to help them create successful business ventures.

The post Charu Noheria opens up about Practically’s journey, recent funding & much more appeared first on Platform to Showcase Innovative Startups and Tech News.

The company said in the press release that it will use the funds to consolidate its market position in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Simultaneously, Practically will also make effort to increase pan-India presence.

Following the latest funding round, Practically has now raised $9 MN till date. The startup had raised $5 Mn in 2019 as part of the series A round.

It must be that the Hyderabad based startup had also raised a bridge Series A1 round last year. As per the regulatory filings, the company had moved a resolution in April last year to issue 2,803 Pre- Series A1 CCPS at an issue price of INR 24,980 per share. The company intended to raise nearly Rs 7 Cr through this bridge round.

Practically is essentially an interactive and immersive learning app that brings learning alive through immersive videos, interactive augmented reality and 3D simulations. The startup claims that its unique features like life-like video content, hands-on learning & experiential learning helps in enhancing student’s conceptual understanding and improving retention of concepts.

Speaking on the successful funding round, Mr. Subbarao Siddabattula, Founder & CEO, Practically said, “This pre-Series B funding showcases the extreme faith our investors have reposed on Practically. The tremendous response that we are seeing for Practically from schools, administration, faculty, parents and students validates our model.”

“Our progress so far is in-line with our strategic growth plans and we are very well placed to tap the accelerated growth that the EdTech industry is witnessing today.”

The company was founded in 2018 by Mr. Subbarao Siddabattula, Ms. Charu Noheria and Ilangovel Thulasimani.

Practically competes with well-funded and big players like Byju’s, Vedantu and Topprs. All these competitors have raised big ticket funding rounds in 2020. While COVID-19 ravaged the entire global economy, edtech sector managed to remain immune to the pandemic’s devastating impact.

In fact, with pandemic forcing millions of students to go online, investors poured a huge amount of capital in the edtech sector.

As per regulatory filings, Practically earned a revenue of nearly INR 1.77 Cr while its total expenses stood at nearly Rs 3.57 Cr for the financial year Fy19. Overall, the company earned a loss of Rs 3.57 Cr in Fy19.

Practically Co-founder & Coo Mrs. Charu Noheria shares her expectations from Budget

Practically Co-founder & COO Mrs. Charu Noheria shares her expectations from the upcoming budget on the behalf of the entire startup and edtech industry…

“Though the EdTech industry was witnessing consistent growth over the last few years, the pandemic has propelled the growth many times over. Given that there has been significant surge in eLearning, Government must support us by allocating sufficient funds and devise strategies to make digital education accessible by ensuring availability of internet connectivity, laptops, tablets, smartphones etc. either thought direct government programs or through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model,” said Noheria.

Noheria  further added “With National Education Policy (NEP 2020) already setting the pace for enormous skill development, we would expect the Government to increase the education expenditure in the current Union budget for implementation. This will provide the impetus required for upgradation of school infrastructure with state-of-art technology and will help to meet the demands of jobs in the future. To perceive India as one of the most preferred higher education destinations in the world, the Government should also focus on reskilling of education fraternity to equip them use new age eLearning solutions as well as providing tax benefits to schools and teachers who invest in such solutions.”

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