BANGALORE: Education start-ups are pitching a new generation of products using e-learning software, web 2.0, mobile phones and television to move up the value chain, as they see more students adopting such platforms.
MingleBox is one such start-up which has launched e-CAT Prep, an online platform for CAT preparation. The platform will assist students from over 250 cities, offering high quality content, tests and study material.
"The robust testing engine on e-CAT Prep closely simulates the actual computer-based test environment," said Kavita Iyer, CEO, Minglebox.com. "We believe these mock tests will help students prepare in an organised manner for their CAT exams."
The company, which started its focus on MBA and overseas education, has attracted a user base of 3 million and is planning to tap other areas such as engineering, animation, hotel management, clinical research and health care, besides MBA exams such as Mat, Xat and Snap.
The company which has offices in Bangalore and Pune, plans to invest $2-3 million in next one year to set up its base in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The company has already raised $8 million from Trident Capital, Sequoia Capital and Silicon Valley bank to meet its expansion plans.
According to a survey done by Tata Consultancy Services called Generation Web 2.0, students today are shifting their academic and social life online and embracing the digital world as true digital natives. The survey conducted across 14,000 high school children between the ages of 12-18 in 12 cities across India during 2008-09, said 63% of urban students spend over an hour online daily, 93% are aware of social networking, 46% use online sources to access news and over 80% have access to mobile phones.
Another e-learning software start-up EduKite, is expanding not only in India but is eyeing various educational projects in Egypt, Turkey and Russia. The company currently has a strong base in South Africa and is working on many government projects. Its new plans also include television based education programmes using animation technology for reaching a much wider audience of teachers and students.
"In India we are in talks with various state governments. The government of India has proposed a six-fold increase in spending on incorporating ICTs in school education," EduKite director Vineet Ladia said.
"Our content engages students by allowing hands-on learning through simulations, animations, simulations, virtual
experiments and educational games activities," said Mr Ladia.
Bangalore-based start-up Ipomo, a mobile phone solution provider is aiming to tap the education market through its interactive mobile learning tools platform which works on low end phones as well as smart phones. The company funded by angel investors will enable students to take mock exams such as IIT-JEE on their mobile phones. The subscriber needs to download the mobile learning and assessment from the web.
"Most students including students in rural areas carry mobile phones and some 1.5 crore students take various exams after their 12th, we see a great market potential," Ipomo founder and managing director Hari Prakash Shanbhog said. "We are now planning to tap government sectors for banking and railway recruitment exams."
MingleBox is one such start-up which has launched e-CAT Prep, an online platform for CAT preparation. The platform will assist students from over 250 cities, offering high quality content, tests and study material.
"The robust testing engine on e-CAT Prep closely simulates the actual computer-based test environment," said Kavita Iyer, CEO, Minglebox.com. "We believe these mock tests will help students prepare in an organised manner for their CAT exams."
The company, which started its focus on MBA and overseas education, has attracted a user base of 3 million and is planning to tap other areas such as engineering, animation, hotel management, clinical research and health care, besides MBA exams such as Mat, Xat and Snap.
The company which has offices in Bangalore and Pune, plans to invest $2-3 million in next one year to set up its base in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. The company has already raised $8 million from Trident Capital, Sequoia Capital and Silicon Valley bank to meet its expansion plans.
According to a survey done by Tata Consultancy Services called Generation Web 2.0, students today are shifting their academic and social life online and embracing the digital world as true digital natives. The survey conducted across 14,000 high school children between the ages of 12-18 in 12 cities across India during 2008-09, said 63% of urban students spend over an hour online daily, 93% are aware of social networking, 46% use online sources to access news and over 80% have access to mobile phones.
Another e-learning software start-up EduKite, is expanding not only in India but is eyeing various educational projects in Egypt, Turkey and Russia. The company currently has a strong base in South Africa and is working on many government projects. Its new plans also include television based education programmes using animation technology for reaching a much wider audience of teachers and students.
"In India we are in talks with various state governments. The government of India has proposed a six-fold increase in spending on incorporating ICTs in school education," EduKite director Vineet Ladia said.
"Our content engages students by allowing hands-on learning through simulations, animations, simulations, virtual
experiments and educational games activities," said Mr Ladia.
Bangalore-based start-up Ipomo, a mobile phone solution provider is aiming to tap the education market through its interactive mobile learning tools platform which works on low end phones as well as smart phones. The company funded by angel investors will enable students to take mock exams such as IIT-JEE on their mobile phones. The subscriber needs to download the mobile learning and assessment from the web.
"Most students including students in rural areas carry mobile phones and some 1.5 crore students take various exams after their 12th, we see a great market potential," Ipomo founder and managing director Hari Prakash Shanbhog said. "We are now planning to tap government sectors for banking and railway recruitment exams."
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