10 Years of GUVI: A Stellar Journey of Redefining Ed-Tech

In the world of technology and education, GUVI has consistently stood out for its innovative approach and unwavering commitment to empowering learners. GUVI has carved a niche for itself, transforming lives and careers with its pioneering ed-tech solutions. As we celebrate #10YearsOfGUVI this month, we reflect upon a decade of remarkable achievements, milestones, and the impact we’ve had on over 3 million+ learners worldwide.

From humble beginnings as a YouTube channel to becoming a leading ed-tech platform incubated by IIT Madras, GUVI’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, passion, and perseverance.

In this article, join us as we look back on the pivotal moments that have defined our journey and celebrate the future of education that we continue to shape.

The Origin: 2014 – Foundation & EdTech Evolution

The story of GUVI began in 2014 when it was officially registered as GUVI GEEK NETWORK PRIVATE LIMITED and incubated by IIT Madras.

GUVI was started as a passion project by our founder, Arun Prakash, and evolved from a YouTube channel named ‘GUVI Sharing‘ offering technical tutorials in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, etc.

As ‘GUVI Sharing’ became more popular, the vision for something greater began to take shape. In the bustling corridors of PayPal, three visionary minds converged to spark an idea that would revolutionize the world of online education. Arun, along with his wife Sridevi, and their friend S.P. Balamurugan, found themselves united by a common dream. And, this dream was GUVI. Together, they conceptualized GUVI, an EdTech platform destined to make a significant impact.

Driven by a shared passion for innovation and a commitment to education, the trio recognized the potential of their idea and made the bold decision to leave the security and comfort of their positions at PayPal. Sridevi stepped in as the first employee, followed by Balamurugan and Arun Prakash, to bring their dream of GUVI to life.

While we thank our learners, Mentors, Investors, Hiring Partners, Ecosystem Partners and the Team for making GUVI reach this 10-year Milestone, I would like to emphasize that our commitment to enrich the learning experience through Vernacular content focused on employability and gamified approach remains intact. With this decade of experience, GUVI has evolved as a skill enabler for Millions of youths and is supporting their professional growth. Along with HCL, I am sure GUVI’s impact will grow multifold in the years to come.

Mr. Balamurugan SP
Co-Founder, GUVI

2015 – Rising Star with Strategic Alliances

In 2015, GUVI emerged as a rising star by becoming IIT-M’s QEEE Technical Content Partner and winning the ‘Chennai Crowd Product Pitch.’ These strategic alliances paved the way for GUVI’s future growth and recognition.

A key milestone in this journey was becoming the QEEE Technical Content Partner for the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M). The Quality Enhancement in Engineering Education (QEEE) program aimed to improve the quality of engineering education across India by leveraging the expertise and resources of premier institutions like IIT-M.

By partnering with IIT-M, GUVI not only gained access to a vast network of academic resources but also established itself as a trusted content provider, significantly enhancing its credibility and reach in the educational sector.

2016 – Educational Impact Across Tamil Nadu

GUVI’s commitment to uplifting education saw a significant milestone in 2016 when we partnered with Anna University, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in India.

The partnership encompassed a comprehensive training program designed to equip faculty members with the latest advancements in technology, innovative teaching methodologies, and practical skills essential for the modern educational landscape.

Through this initiative, GUVI successfully trained faculty members from 550 engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu, significantly amplifying its impact on the educational sector. This large-scale training program addressed the critical need for up-to-date and industry-relevant skills among educators, ensuring that they could keep pace with the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

2017 – One of India’s Top Women-led Startups

In 2017, GUVI achieved a significant milestone under the leadership of Sridevi Arunprakash, being recognized as one of India’s top women-led startups. This showcased our inclusive and empowering approach. This achievement not only highlighted our commitment to fostering diversity within our team but also underscored the vital role of women in driving innovation and leadership in the ed-tech industry.

The recognition came at a time when the tech industry was making concerted efforts to address gender disparities, and GUVI stood out for its proactive measures in creating a supportive and inclusive environment.

Our involvement in Google’s initiatives further fueled our momentum in 2017. Participating in programs and collaborations with Google provided GUVI with invaluable exposure, resources, and networking opportunities. Google’s support helped amplify GUVI’s reach and impact, allowing us to connect with a broader audience and establish ourselves as a key player in the ed-tech landscape.

GUVI is marking an important milestone by celebrating 10 years of meaningful influence on people’s lives. With tenacity, we overcame several hurdles, and our success is visible in innumerable learner changes. Each story highlights the importance of accessible education and our team’s dedication. I’d want to highlight the commitment and intent of our colleagues who have remained faithful to the goals of GUVI. Without them, these accomplishments wouldn’t be possible. GUVI will continue to develop and evolve while keeping our mission at the forefront.

Vasanth V       
Chief Strategy Officer, GUVI

2018 – Innovative Breakthroughs on Global and Local Stages

2018 marked a year of significant innovative breakthroughs for GUVI, as we made remarkable strides both locally and globally. In 2018, GUVI hosted Asia’s second-largest AI Hackathon, garnering significant recognition in startup ecosystems and enhancing our international presence.

The AI Hackathon provided a platform for participants to tackle real-world problems using artificial intelligence, demonstrating the practical applications of AI in various industries. By hosting such a significant event, GUVI underscored its commitment to advancing tech education and providing opportunities for aspiring tech professionals to showcase their skills.

In addition to this landmark event, GUVI was honored to be selected among the top 50 startups in India by the India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 (IIGP 2.0), a prestigious initiative supported by Tata Trusts.

Another significant achievement in 2018 was our participation in the JioGenNext Startup Accelerator program. This program aimed to nurture and scale high-potential startups by providing them with access to resources, mentorship, and market opportunities.

A highlight of our year was receiving an invitation to Google I/O in California, one of the world’s most prestigious tech conferences. Attending Google I/O was an incredible opportunity for GUVI to connect with global tech leaders, gain insights into the latest technological advancements, and explore potential collaborations.

2019 & 2020 – Capital Milestones & Scaling to New Heights

GUVI’s growth trajectory continued in 2019 with substantial investment rounds and incubation support from IIM-A. These financial milestones set a robust course for our future expansions, solidifying our foundation.

The year 2020 marked a significant achievement as GUVI surpassed half a million users. This milestone was a testament to our strengthened financial and operational foundations, enabling us to scale new heights.

Around this time period, Sridevi departed to the heavenly world. It was a dark phase for GUVI, yet her ideals, principles, and invaluable contributions to the EdTech industry continue to illuminate and inspire aspiring women worldwide. Her legacy has ignited a momentum among GUVIans, propelling them towards achieving a Guinness World Record.

2021 – Reputed Partnerships & World Record

In 2021, GUVI’s AI-for-India initiative set a Guinness World Record, and we crossed the milestone of 1 million+ learners. Recognized by HolonIQ as one of the 100 most promising ed-techs in South Asia, GUVI also officially partnered with UiPath and became a ‘Google for Education‘ partner, marking a year of record-breaking achievements.

Also Read: GUVI’s AI for India 2.0: Partnering with Skill India for Success

2022 – Remarkable Recognitions

GUVI’s commitment to quality education was recognized in 2022 when we were titled the ‘Most Trusted Vernacular Edutech Brand’ by Zee Digital. This recognition was particularly meaningful as it underscored our commitment to delivering high-quality educational content in regional languages.

Additionally, being selected as the No.1 top ed-tech company by TNSDC (“Naan Mudhalvan” initiative) underscored our impact on the industry. This initiative aimed to enhance the employability and skills of the youth in Tamil Nadu by providing them with industry-relevant training and education.

Being recognized as the leading ed-tech company by such a prominent state-level initiative was a testament to the impact GUVI had made in the Tamil-speaking region. Our innovative training programs, cutting-edge curriculum, and focus on practical, hands-on learning resonated with both students and educators, making us a preferred choice for skill development.

2023 – Empowerment with #WomenInTech

GUVI’s ‘AI-for-Women‘ initiative in 2023 empowered over 30,000 women with essential tech skills, reflecting our dedication to gender inclusivity in tech education.

Explore More: Free upskilling event: AI-for-Women by GUVI offers AI skills & certifications to 30K+

Winning the prestigious ‘Best Online Personalized Learning Platform’ award in the Education Innovative Awards by Entrepreneur India was a testament to our innovative approach. By bridging the gender gap in tech education and receiving industry recognition for our innovative platform, GUVI continued to lead by example, inspiring positive change and making a lasting impact on the global education sector.

Read about other Milestones: Good News! GUVI Establishes a New Branch in Noida [2023]

2024 – The Tech Revolution Continues …

2024 is an outstanding year to remember for us as we have brought out several new initiatives this year and emerged as a leader in the industry.

As we step into 2024, GUVI continues to transform futures, proudly partnering with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) as a Knowledge Partner.

As a cherry on top of the cake, Our inspiring journey was also featured on Disney+ Hotstar in a series titled ‘The Indian Edtech Story’ (S1 EP3) showcasing our significant contributions to the ed-tech landscape.

Not just that, Here’s a spotlight on our 2024 journey, so far…

Read more on other milestones: GUVI and E&ICT, IIT-Kanpur Collaborate to Empower Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities with Certified Professional Courses

We are so delighted to look back on the baby steps we made and today, we are officially a family of 3 million+ Learners worldwide. Here are some amazing numbers we scored as an outcome of our consistency and hard work. We believe these huge numbers are just a foundation to keep growing!

As we celebrate #10YearsOfGUVI, here’s what our captain had to say,

At GUVI, we operate on the foundational belief that there is inherent goodness and potential in everyone. We’re dedicated to giving everyone the chance they deserve to shape a successful career. After all, unlocking a person’s professional dreams is not just our mission, it’s our passion.’

Mr. Arun Prakash’s Philosophy
Founder & CEO, GUVI

It is a nostalgic journey that we cherish today, Take a look at the highlights

Wrapping Up

As we celebrate #10YearsOfGUVI, a decade of excellence, innovation, and empowerment, GUVI stands proud of its transformative impact on the ed-tech industry and the millions of lives we’ve touched. A relentless pursuit of quality, inclusivity, and accessibility in education has fueled our journey from a small YouTube channel to a global ed-tech leader.

With a strong foundation and an unwavering commitment to our mission, we look forward to the future with optimism and excitement. Here’s to the next decade of pioneering advancements, breaking down barriers, and empowering learners worldwide. We want you to wish us all luck and continue supporting us in all our future endeavors toward educational excellence and innovation.