PlanetSpark, an EdTech platform that leverages technology to provide live online classes to K8 learners on English communication, public speaking, creative writing, and others, has raised $13.5 million in a Series B funding round led by Prime Venture Partners.
The round also saw participation from angel investors including Binny Bansal (Co-founder, Flipkart), Deep Kalra (Make My Trip), Ashish Gupta (Helion Ventures), Gokul Rajaram (DoorDash), and Shirish Nandkarni (Mochalive).
The Gurugram-based startup plans to use the funding for product development, hiring senior leadership, and global expansion.
Founded in 2017 by Kunal Malik and Maneesh Dhooper, PlanetSpark is a platform that helps children become better communicators. It offers one-to-one classes in public speaking and creative writing for children aged 4 to 16 years. The curriculum includes storytelling, debate, podcasting, stand-up comedy and poetry. Additionally, it enables qualified homemakers to register as a teacher, get trained by PlanetSpark, and start home learning centers.
PlanetSpark is on a mission to spark the joy of learning in children. The platform does this through its highly engaging and powerful learning methodology, which they call the steps methodology. It is a scientifically researched, and yet simple and intuitive framework that helps children fully master their school topics and concepts. It not only helps them become more engaged and interested in school topics but rather makes them completely fall in love with learning itself.
Speaking about the company, Kunal Malik, Co-founder of PlanetSpark, said,
“Communication skills are the most fundamental and desirable skills that parents wish to impart in their kids. However, these skills are rarely taught anywhere. Till now, parents never thought that a reliable and structured option to develop the communication skills of their children existed. With live learning coming of age in the past two years, we are the first global company to structure a program on new-age communication skills, for kids.”
The startup claims that its kids have become TEDx speakers, YouTubers, Podcasters, and Published Authors across 13 countries including the US, Middle East, Europe, and India.
Amit Somani, Partner at Prime Venture Partners, said,
“Everyone learns a language but few learn to communicate well. Communication skills are going to be a life-defining skill in the 21st century. We have been very fortunate to be a part of PlanetSpark’s journey from the early days. We have witnessed their explosive growth and their metamorphosis.”
PlanetSpark has recently announced the launch of its new visual identity. The re-branding, which has been conceived and executed by Dev Kabir Malik, comprises new visual assets including a revamped logo. The brand has adopted a new identity that not only resonates with its target group but also represents its mission of training young children in communication.
Growing at 30 percent month-on-month, PlanetSpark has coached students with over one million classes and across 13 countries. It witnessed 45x growth over the past year and plans to grow further by 30x over the next two years.
Earlier, PlanetSpark had raised $3.7 million from Prime Ventures, FIITJEE, and several angel networks. The startup’s latest round brings its total funding to $17.2 million.
