Left high-paying teaching job in Kota, launched affordable IIT JEE ed-tech, clocked Rs. 12 Cr in FY-24

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In 2013, Mohit Tyagi, a passionate educator from Kota, Rajasthan, envisioned a platform where quality education was accessible to all, especially those who couldn’t afford expensive coaching.

When he was in school, he did not know about IIT JEE. His first exposure to the world of IIT JEE came when he sought coaching for it. During this time, he observed that many of his equally talented peers were unable to afford the expensive coaching.

This incident stayed with him and grew stronger over the years, eventually leading to the creation of Competishun, a platform aimed at improving online education.

“I wanted to help students like me who came from lower-middle-class backgrounds and struggled with resources,” Mohit recalls during an exclusive conversation with Empowering Indians.

Founding Competishun
Competishun started with Mohit Tyagi alone but soon expanded with the support of three co-founders, each an expert in their respective fields. Neeraj Saini (NS Sir) with 18 years of experience in Organic Chemistry is an M.Sc. and NET-JRF.

Amit Bijarnia (ABJ Sir), a Physics expert, holds a B.Tech from IIT Delhi and 15 years of teaching experience. Alok Sir (ALK Sir), with a background in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry from NIT Allahabad and experience as an ISRO scientist, added another 19 years of expertise.

Together, they built a comprehensive team of 60-70 members, including 25-30 teachers and supporting operational and marketing staff.

The co-founders of Competishun pitched the idea on Shark Tank India for funding.

How It All Started
The journey of Competishun began long before its official registration in 2019. After graduating from IIT Delhi in 2001, Mohit Tyagi started teaching at FIIT JEE, one of India’s leading coaching institutes. He taught in various institutes from 2004 to 2007 and then opened the School of Mathematics, where he taught students for free. This social cause laid the foundation for Competishun.

“I realized that I could only help a limited number of students teaching for free in a traditional classroom. That’s when the idea of using YouTube struck me,” Mohit shares while narrating the story of Competishun to Empowering Indians.

In 2013, Mohit left his high-paying teaching job in Kota and embarked on his social cause journey. From 2013 to 2020, Mohit uploaded all his teaching material on YouTube, which quickly gained traction among serious IIT JEE aspirants.

The uniqueness of Competishun
Competishun is more than just an educational platform; it’s a mission to make quality education accessible to every student, regardless of their financial background through its website and mobile app.

“Our focus is on making students serious about their studies and providing important inputs to them,” Mohit emphasizes during the conversation with Empowering Indians.

Competishun differentiates itself from other ed-tech platforms by prioritizing student needs over business interests. While many online platforms focus on attracting a large audience with flashy, non-serious content, Competishun remains dedicated to serious, result-oriented education.

“Other YouTube channels focus on business by honeycoating stuff to attract the crowd. Our approach is different. We provide proper syllabus and inputs to make our students’ preparation better,” Mohit explains to Empowering Indians.

Competishun’s approach to doubt-clearing is also innovative. “We have telegram groups where students can ask doubts 24/7. We conduct daily live doubt sessions on Zoom, ensuring every student’s doubts are addressed,” Mohit shares with Empowering Indians.

This approach not only provides immediate assistance but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration among students.

Courses by Competishun
Competishun offers a range of courses tailored to the needs of IIT JEE aspirants. The full-year courses for Class 11, Class 12, and 12th pass students are priced between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000, significantly lower than other institutes charging up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs for offline and Rs. 50,000-90,000 for online courses.

Competishun’s comprehensive package includes material, classes, and revision for various exams like IIT JEE, BITSAT, SAT, Board Exams, WBJEE, and UGEE.

“We provide everything needed for the preparation. The student just has to follow our instructions, and it will help them clear any exam of their choice,” Mohit asserts during the conversation with Empowering Indians.

Competishun’s unique selling point is its affordability without compromising the quality of education.

Financial Growth of Competishun
Competishun’s financial journey is impressive. The ed-tech’s revenue grew from Rs. 4 crores in the first year to Rs. 12 crores in the fourth year.

“Our team consists of named faculty from Kota, and our YouTube channel played a significant role in our growth. Despite no major funding, we have seen substantial growth,” Mohit proudly states.

Competishun’s success can be attributed to its innovative business model, which combines free online content with affordable paid courses. This approach has attracted a large number of students, enabling Competishun to sustain and grow without the need for external funding.

The focus on quality education and student results has also helped build a loyal student base, contributing to consistent revenue growth.

Vision and Future Plans
Looking ahead, Competishun aims to expand its reach and impact. “Our vision is to shift a significant percentage of students from offline to online education due to its cost-effectiveness, time availability, and possible customization of the learning portal,” Mohit says.

The team plans to achieve this by maintaining their focus on quality education and producing genuine results.

Competishun’s goal is to have 20-30 students in the top 100 ranks of IIT JEE, believing that financial success will naturally follow.

“We haven’t thought in terms of money but in terms of results. We want to establish our name by producing genuine results,” Mohit asserts.

The journey wasn’t without challenges. Initially, Mohit faced doubts from peers about the feasibility of leaving a high-paying job for a YouTube channel. However, his commitment to the cause kept him going.

“There was no financial stress because I had savings and a supportive network. But convincing others about the potential of online education was tough,” Mohit recalls.

Advice for Students
For students preparing for competitive exams, Mohit offers valuable advice. “The environment plays a crucial role in a student’s preparation. Online education can save travel time and provide a focused learning environment. We ensure our students get the best preparation with a proper schedule and study pattern,” he advises.

Mohit emphasizes the importance of discipline and consistency in preparation. “Students should stick to a study schedule, regularly revise their notes, and practice as much as possible. Competishun provides all the necessary resources, but the students’ dedication is key to their success,” he adds.

“Our success is not measured in numbers but in the impact, we have on our students’ lives,” Mohit concludes in the end of the interview with Empowering Indians.