PhysicsWallah, the edtech unicorn founded in 2020, has officially transitioned into a public company, renaming itself PhysicsWallah Limited as it gears up for a potential $400–$500 million initial public offering (IPO) in 2025. The company’s board approved the resolution earlier this month, marking a pivotal step in its evolution from a startup to a publicly traded entity.
To manage its IPO, PhysicsWallah has engaged prominent financial advisors, including Axis Capital, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. The IPO will involve listing its equity shares on ‘one or more stock exchanges,’ signaling the company’s readiness to tap into the capital markets.
The decision to go public follows the company’s growth trajectory, bolstered by a $210 million Series B funding round in September 2024, led by Hornbill Capital. This round valued the company at $2.8 billion, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, GSV Ventures and WestBridge Capital. PhysicsWallah first achieved unicorn status in 2022, following a $100 million funding round at a $1.1 billion valuation.
Since its inception by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari, the platform has expanded its offerings. It now operates hybrid and offline learning centers across 105 cities in India, delivers test preparation services in 43 categories and ventures into skilling initiatives, higher education and study-abroad programs. Additionally, it runs two Gurukulam Schools, blending traditional and modern education methodologies.
PhysicsWallah has maintained a commitment to accessible education, reaching over 46 million students through its 112 YouTube channels in five vernacular languages. This dedication underscores its mission to democratise education for learners across the country.
While the company has demonstrated robust demand for its services, reflected in a 2.6-fold increase in operating revenue to Rs 1,940.4 crore in FY24 (up from Rs 744.3 crore in FY23), it reported a net loss of Rs 1,131.2 crore for the same period, a significant jump from Rs 84.06 crore in FY23.
As PhysicsWallah embarks on this new chapter as a public company, its IPO will be closely watched as a barometer of investor confidence in India’s rapidly evolving edtech sector.
info@thefoundermedia.com
