Classplus, India’s leading B2B EdTech startup that assists educators and content creators in operating and scaling their online coaching businesses, has announced the launch of Classplus Publishing Labs, a groundbreaking campaign that helps educators and creators in designing, printing, publishing, and shipping their books. Beyond digital courses and content, the platform is making book publishing accessible to educators and creators of all backgrounds and assisting them in strengthening their brand pull.
Over 50 authors have already benefited from the programme’s initial phase, with over 100,000 books sold. The educators have earned approximately INR 2 crores so far through the initiative. According to the press release, this move aims to facilitate publishing books covering a range of academic and non-academic subjects in any language, complete with visuals.
Book publishing is a strong use case for educators as it helps them build credibility amongst their student base and establishes them as experts in their subject. In the conventional publishing landscape, seasoned authors typically receive preference over first-time authors, and the publishing and distribution process demands significant costs and industry connections. The combination of these factors deters new entrants from breaking into publishing. Recognizing these obstacles, Classplus Publishing Labs steps forward to eliminate book publishing and distribution barriers, empowering educators to become first-time authors.
This support continues after publication, with Classplus’ platform providing valuable data insights on the book’s sales, popularity, and reader feedback, helping new authors tailor their work for maximum impact. This programme also allows authors to sell their books on e-commerce platforms, boosting their brand and potential earnings.
Speaking about the initiative, Co-founder & CEO of Classplus, Mukul Rustagi, said:
Publishing a book is regarded as the hallmark of expertise and solidifies an educator’s status as an expert in their field. But it is often a complex and daunting endeavour for them. Now, with Classplus Publishing Labs, we are breaking down the barriers to publishing for educators and content creators, making it more accessible and hassle-free for them. We believe in the transformative power of education, and this initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting every phase of the teachers’ and creators’ journeys.
The majority of educators and creators on the Classplus platform, more than 75%, are from tier 2 cities and beyond, frequently underserved by traditional publishing houses. This initiative enables these people to connect with their audiences through books while adding revenue to their teaching business.
Prateek Shivalik, one of the programme’s earliest adopters supporting aspiring teachers in preparing for teaching exams, stated:
Classplus Publishing Labs has been a game-changer for educators like me. It has allowed me to share my knowledge with a broader audience through my books and build the credibility of a published author amongst my students. Although I’ve always wanted to publish my work, the journey from educator to author has always had too many obstacles. This initiative has made the process seamless and allowed me to become a published author.
Classplus, founded in 2018 by Mukul Rustagi and Bhaswat Agarwal, empowers educators through a simple mobile-first online learning app, which no other company in India has done before. The company has digitized over 1 lakh creators and educators across 3,000+ cities and towns. Through its platform, over 50 million students learn from educators. Classplus educators have conducted 1.5 million live classes in the last year, multiplying their earnings by 5-6X by reaching out to students beyond their local geographies. Since its inception, the startup has raised approximately $160 million from global marquee investors like Tiger Global, AWI, RTP Global, Blume Ventures, Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, Spiral Ventures, Strive, Times Internet and Abu Dhabi-based Chimera Ventures.
