India’s most acclaimed education technology platform BYJU’S, The Learning App, acquired Mumbai-based WhiteHat Jr. in a $300 million all-cash transaction. Established by Karan Bajaj, the Former CEO of Discovery Networks India in 2018, WhiteHat Jr. operates in the K-12 segment, teaching students to code and helping them build commercial-ready games, animations and apps, using the fundamentals of coding.

The company has developed a proprietary coding curriculum, focused on product creation, and imparts lessons through live, interactive online classes. “WhiteHat Jr. has achieved an annual revenue run rate of $150 million and will continue to operate as a separate entity for now,” says a BYJU’S spokesperson.

“We started WhiteHat Jr. to make kids creators instead of consumers of technology,” asserts Karan Bajaj. He adds, “Technology is at the centre of every human interaction today and we had set out to create a coding curriculum that was being delivered live and connected students and teachers like never before.”

Byju Raveendran, Founder & Chief Executive, BYJU’S, articulates, “BYJU’S will make significant investments in WhiteHat Jr. and hire more teachers to expand it to new markets. WhiteHat Jr. recently announced plans to expand to Canada, U.K., Australia and New Zealand”.

BYJU’S will make significant investments in WhiteHat Jr. and hire more teachers to expand it to new markets

“WhiteHat Jr. is the leader in the live online coding space. Karan has proven his mettle as an exceptional Founder and the credit goes to him and his team for creating coding programs that are loved by kids. Under his leadership the company has achieved phenomenal growth in India and the US in a short span of time,” adds Raveendran.

This deal between BYJU’S and WhiteHat Jr. illustrates the growing phase of education startups in India as they report skyrocketing growth at the height of a global pandemic.

“Delightful to see such an exit in the Indian startup ecosystem. Happy to see WhiteHat Jr. find home at the world’s most-valued edtech startup that will enable them to reach more students globally,” says Sajith Pai, Director, Blume Ventures.

BYJU’S will make significant investments in WhiteHat Jr.’s technology platform, product innovation while expanding the teacher base to cater to demand from new markets. Bajaj will continue to lead and scale this business in India and the US.

The acquisition will now allow Byju’s to launch coding to children, a niche yet fast-growing segment amongst the K-12 space, in the broader edtech sector, and also likely to give its investors a strong exit.