Gaurav Munjal, cofounder of Indian edtech giant Unacademy, is reportedly planning a strategic shift by increasing his stake in Airlearn, an artificial intelligence-powered language learning platform. This development comes as Munjal prepares to spin off Airlearn into an independent entity, signaling a new phase in his entrepreneurial journey.
According to a report by Mint, citing sources familiar with the matter, Munjal—who currently holds a 3.4% stake in Unacademy—could command a significantly higher share in Airlearn. This move is seen as an effort to realign his involvement and influence within the edtech landscape as Unacademy evolves.
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ToggleAirlearn, which is still in its early stages, is being positioned as a cutting-edge solution for language learning powered by generative AI. It aims to personalize education and make learning more interactive and adaptive through artificial intelligence. With the global demand for language learning on the rise and AI gaining momentum in the education sector, the timing of this spin-off appears strategic.
The decision to spin off Airlearn comes as Munjal and fellow Unacademy cofounder Roman Saini reportedly step back from their daily operational roles at the parent company. This leadership transition suggests a possible restructuring at Unacademy and a renewed focus on launching specialized platforms like Airlearn.
Sources told Mint that Munjal is currently in talks with prominent investors including Peak XV (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Nexus Venture Partners. These discussions reportedly revolve around securing additional funding to support the spin-off and growth of Airlearn. Both investors have backed Unacademy in the past and may view Airlearn as a natural extension of their edtech investment portfolio.
By negotiating a higher stake in Airlearn, Munjal is likely positioning himself to have greater autonomy and control over the strategic direction of the new venture, especially as the AI wave continues to reshape the global edtech market.
Unacademy, once a breakout star of India’s edtech boom, has faced challenges amid shifting market dynamics and funding slowdowns. The company has undergone several rounds of layoffs and restructuring over the past two years to streamline operations and reduce burn. The spin-off of Airlearn might serve a dual purpose—revitalizing innovation under a leaner, AI-focused brand and allowing Unacademy to focus more narrowly on its core offerings.
As Unacademy adapts to a changing edtech environment, Airlearn could emerge as its next big innovation, especially under Munjal’s more hands-on leadership in the new venture.
Gaurav Munjal’s move to increase his stake in Airlearn and spin it off as a separate entity highlights a broader trend in India’s startup ecosystem—where founders are diversifying within their verticals to stay competitive and relevant. If successful, Airlearn could position itself at the intersection of AI and education, potentially becoming a major player in the global language learning market.