BS EDIT: Testing Times For Edtech

By Business StandardPublished On Mar 18, 2026

Deal Sparks Hope

upGrad’s bid to acquire Unacademy signals consolidation, but the sector continues to struggle with weak demand and investor caution

Valuation Reality Check

Unacademy’s expected valuation has fallen sharply from $3.4B peak to around $300M, reflecting a broader reset in edtech valuations post-pandemic

Funding Winter Persists

Edtech funding dropped steeply from 2021 highs, with fewer deals and lower capital inflows, indicating continued investor hesitation

Fallout Of Excesses

The collapse of Byju’s and struggles at Vedantu highlight issues of poor governance, over-expansion, and unsustainable business models

Business Model Shift

Pandemic-driven K-12 growth faded as schools reopened. Hybrid models failed to compete with traditional coaching players

AI And Future Bets

With Artificial Intelligence, focus may shift to personalised learning. However, meaningful funding recovery in edtech is yet to materialise