SuperKalam Raises $2 Mn To Enhance Its AI-Led Educational Platform

UPSC test prep platform SuperKalam has raised $2 Mn (INR 16.6 Cr) in a seed funding round. 

The round was led by Y Combinator and Fundersclub with participation from GoodWater Capital, Nurture Ventures, SuperCapital, Pareto Ventures and Y Combinator partner Puneet Kumar.

The startup said it will utilise the funding to enhance its AI-powered UPSC test prep platform, acquire more users, and improve its personalised learning products. 

SuperKalam was part of Y Combinator’s Winter 2023 batch, announced in April last year. 

Founded in July 2023 by Vimal Singh Rathore and Aseem Gupta, SuperKalam offers mentorship and guidance for students aiming for careers in engineering, medicine, and civil services. It operates as an online platform, accessible to students over WhatsApp and through a desktop app. 

The platform uses an AI-backed approach to prepare study plans and set daily targets based on each student’s progress, tracking common mistakes and time spent on specific concepts. The platform currently claims to have over 60,000 students. 

“We are excited to have iconic investors join us in our mission to rethink learning in an AI-first world. At SuperKalam, we are committed to leading this change by transitioning from unilateral content broadcasts to delivering personalised learning that adapts to each student’s unique needs,” cofounder and CEO Rathore said in a statement. 

The SuperKalam product offers features such as daily news analysis, which is a critical aspect of UPSC test prep, as well as practice tests, doubt resolution and AI-powered answer evaluation.

SuperKalam is the second edtech startup by Rathore who had also founded Coursavy, which Unacademy acquired in September 2020. Rathore spent three years at Unacademy as the head of growth and strategy before starting up again with SuperKalam. 

Generative AI has become a huge focal point for edtech startups since early 2023. The likes of PhysicsWallah, upGrad and other unicorns have incorporated GenAI within their products and operations, while newer edtech startups such as ZuAI are completely focussed on AI-powered learning. 

In fact, GenAI implementation and adoption is being seen as a key factor in startups raising funds even in the current inclement weather for edtech. For instance, ConveGenius secured $7 Mn from UBS Optimus Foundation and Mount Judi Ventures primarily to enhance its education chatbot marketplace SwiftChat.