Byju Raveendran Speaking Fee: $100,000 to $125,000

Byju Raveendran's journey from a coastal village in Kerala to the helm of a global edtech enterprise is a testament to his passion for learning and innovation. Born in Azhikode, Kannur district, to parents who were both educators, Raveendran was immersed in an environment that valued knowledge. His early education in a Malayalam-medium school, combined with a fervent interest in sports, instilled in him the discipline and resilience that would later define his entrepreneurial pursuits. After earning a B.Tech degree from the Government College of Engineering in Kannur, Raveendran began his career as a service engineer for a multinational shipping company. However, a chance opportunity to tutor friends for the Common Admission Test (CAT) revealed his natural aptitude for teaching. Remarkably, he achieved a perfect score on the CAT himself, not once but twice, and chose to forgo admission to the Indian Institutes of Management to focus on education. His engaging teaching style quickly gained popularity, leading him to conduct classes for thousands of students in large auditoriums and via satellite communication. In 2011, Raveendran founded Think & Learn Pvt Ltd, laying the groundwork for what would become BYJU’S. The launch of BYJU’S – The Learning App in 2015 marked a significant milestone, offering interactive and personalized learning experiences for students. The app's success was swift, with millions of downloads and a growing base of paid subscribers. Strategic acquisitions, such as Osmo and Aakash Educational Services, expanded the company's reach and diversified its offerings. BYJU’S also attracted substantial investments from global entities, including the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and was featured as a business case at Harvard Business School. Despite its meteoric rise, BYJU’S faced significant challenges in subsequent years. Aggressive expansion strategies, financial missteps, and legal controversies led to a sharp decline in the company's valuation and reputation. Raveendran acknowledged these issues, citing the acquisition of Aakash as a strategic success while admitting that certain decisions, like a substantial term loan, were miscalculations. In response to the crisis, he took personal financial risks to stabilize the company, including pledging his own assets to cover employee salaries. Throughout his career, Raveendran has received numerous accolades, such as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and inclusion in Fortune's '40 Under 40' list. His story reflects the complexities of entrepreneurship—the highs of innovation and growth, and the lows of overextension and scrutiny. As he navigates the path forward, Raveendran remains committed to his vision of making quality education accessible through technology.