India’s upGrad acquires local test-prep firm for government jobs

Indian edtech platform upGrad has acquired local peer Exampur – which provides test-prep services for government jobs – for an undisclosed amount.

Exampur co-founders Vardaan Gandhi (left) and Vivek Kumar / Photo credit: Exampur

Founded in 2018 by Vivek Kumar and Vardaan Gandhi, Exampur has over 200 courses, most of which are accessible through its over 27 YouTube channels. Users can prepare themselves for government roles, including those related to defense, banking, and teaching.

It can also help prep users for the exams offered by the country’s Staff Selection Commission and the Union Public Service Commission by providing online tests, free quizzes, ebooks, and live scholarship exams.

With a cumulative subscriber base of over 12 million – 90% of which are from tier 2, 3, and 4 markets – the firm is looking to reach a revenue of US$7.5 million this year.

UpGrad was established in 2015 by Ronnie Screwvala, Mayank Kumar, Phalgun Kompalli, and Ravijot Chugh. Focusing on 18- to 50-year-olds, it offers a wide variety of programs, from undergraduate courses to executive doctoral modules. With 3 million users in over 100 countries, the firm offers original content, with access to coaches and mentors for added support.

Besides its home country, it has offices in Singapore, Vietnam, the US, the UK, and the Middle East.

UpGrad has also recently been on an acquisition spree, announcing last week that it had merged with enterprise-focused upskilling platform Harappa Education for US$38 million.

The global edtech market is set to reach a value of US$319.7 billion by 2029, increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 17.8%.

See also: Indian edtech firm earmarks $100m for acquisitions, eyes SEA