Physics Wallah: How One Teacher’s YouTube Channel Became India’s Most Loved EdTech Unicorn

Ever wondered how a simple YouTube channel could turn into a $2.8 billion company? Let me tell you the incredible story of Physics Wallah.

When Education Met Passion: The Digital Learning Revolution

Remember when learning meant sitting in a crowded classroom, struggling to keep up with expensive coaching centers? Those days are changing fast. With smartphones in every pocket and affordable internet reaching even remote corners of India, education has broken free from four walls.

Among all the EdTech startups trying to ride this wave, one stands out — not because it spent millions on marketing, but because it genuinely cared about students. That’s Physics Wallah (PW) for you.

Founded by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari, Physics Wallah started with a simple idea: what if quality education didn’t have to cost a fortune? What began as free YouTube videos in 2016 has now grown into India’s fastest-growing EdTech unicorn, valued at a whopping $2.8 billion in 2024.

Quick Facts About Physics Wallah

• Founded: 2016
• Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Founders: Alakh Pandey & Prateek Maheshwari
• Current Valuation: $2.8 Billion (2024)
• Students Served: Over 10 million
• Official Website: pw.live

Meet the Minds Behind Physics Wallah

Alakh Pandey: The Teacher Who Changed Everything

Born in 1991 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Alakh Pandey wasn’t your typical successful entrepreneur from the start. In fact, he faced his own struggles during engineering. But those struggles taught him something valuable — he understood what students go through.

His teaching journey started at a local coaching institute where he taught physics. Students loved him. Why? Because he didn’t just teach formulas — he made physics fun, relatable, and easy to understand. His energy was infectious, and his ability to break down complex concepts into simple ideas made him a student favorite.

But Alakh saw a bigger problem. Thousands of talented students couldn’t afford expensive coaching fees. That’s when he decided to take his teaching online — for free.

Prateek Maheshwari: The Tech Brain

Every great teacher needs a great partner, and that’s where Prateek Maheshwari comes in. An IIT Varanasi graduate, Prateek brought serious tech and business skills to the table. He’d already founded several ventures like PenPencil, Edu4All, and NightPanda, so he knew the startup game inside out.

When Prateek joined forces with Alakh, magic happened. His technical expertise helped transform a YouTube channel into a full-fledged EdTech platform that could serve millions.

The Journey: From Zero to Unicorn

2016: A YouTube Channel is Born

Picture this: 2016, a young teacher starts uploading physics lectures on YouTube. No fancy equipment, no big budget — just pure teaching passion. Alakh named his channel “Physics Wallah” (Wallah means “the one who does” in Hindi).

The response? Absolutely phenomenal. Students from across India started watching his videos. They weren’t just watching — they were learning, understanding, and most importantly, they were passing their exams.

2020: The Big Leap

By 2020, Alakh realized YouTube wasn’t enough. Students needed structured courses, practice tests, and a complete learning ecosystem. With Prateek’s help, they launched the Physics Wallah mobile app.

The app offered comprehensive courses for JEE, NEET, MPSC, and board exams — all at prices that wouldn’t break the bank. While other coaching platforms charged ₹50,000-₹1,00,000 for similar courses, PW kept its prices student-friendly.

The COVID Boost

When the pandemic hit and schools shut down, online education exploded. Physics Wallah was perfectly positioned. Their student base grew exponentially. Within a few years, PW went from being a YouTube channel to serving over 10 million students through both online and offline centers.

What Physics Wallah Stands For

Mission: Education for All

PW’s mission isn’t just a fancy tagline on their website. It’s what they actually practice. They believe every student deserves quality education, regardless of whether their parents can afford expensive coaching.

This philosophy runs through everything they do — from affordable course fees to free YouTube content that’s still helping millions.

The Name Says It All

“Physics Wallah” — it’s humble, it’s real, and it’s memorable. The name reflects Alakh’s identity as a passionate physics teacher. No fancy corporate jargon, just a straightforward name that students could relate to. And boy, did they relate! The name became a brand that students trust like they trust their favorite teacher.

How Does Physics Wallah Make Money?

You might be wondering — if they keep prices so low and offer so much for free, how do they make money? Smart question. Here’s how:

1. Premium Courses and Subscriptions

While YouTube content remains free, PW offers structured paid courses through their app and website. These include complete programs for JEE, NEET, UPSC, MPSC, and other competitive exams. The courses come with recorded lectures, live classes, doubt-solving sessions, and mock tests.

2. YouTube Revenue

With millions of views on their videos, ad revenue from YouTube adds up. Every view helps support their mission to create more free content.

3. Cool Merchandise

Ever seen students wearing “Physics Wallah” hoodies with pride? That’s another revenue stream. PW sells branded merchandise like T-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. But it’s more than just business — it builds a community feeling among students.

4. Offline Learning Centers

Recognizing that some students still prefer physical classes, PW launched offline centers called PW Pathshala and PW Vidyapeeth. These blend traditional classroom teaching with digital tools, giving students the best of both worlds.

The Money Behind the Magic: Funding Journey

Here’s where it gets really interesting. Unlike most startups that raise money from day one, Physics Wallah was completely bootstrapped until 2022. Alakh and Prateek built everything from their own pockets and the revenue they generated.

June 2022: The Unicorn Moment

In June 2022, PW raised $100 million in Series A funding led by WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures. Overnight, they became India’s 101st Unicorn — a startup valued at over $1 billion.

September 2024: Doubling Down

Just when you thought it couldn’t get bigger, PW secured another $210 million in Series B funding led by Hornbill Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners. This round valued the company at $2.8 billion.

Physics Wallah Today: By the Numbers

The growth has been nothing short of phenomenal:

• 10+ million students enrolled
• 31,000+ video lectures available
• 2,500+ mock tests to practice with
• 8 lakh+ practice questions in their database
• 16+ offline centers across India
• 1,500+ team members, including 300+ expert educators

Financial Snapshot (FY25)

Let’s talk numbers:

• Revenue: ₹2,887 crore (up 49% from last year)
• Expenses: ₹3,265 crore
• Net Loss: ₹243 crore (down 78% from ₹1,131 crore last year)

Yes, they’re still making losses, but here’s the key — losses are shrinking fast. Revenue is growing, and their offline centers are driving higher revenue per student. They’re on the path to profitability.

Growing Bigger: Smart Acquisitions

To expand their offerings, PW has strategically acquired several EdTech companies:

• Xylem Learning (June 2023) — $60.11 million
• iNeuron.ai (January 2023) — $30.05 million for AI and Data Science education
• Knowledge Planet (March 2023)
• FreeCo, PrepOnline, and Altis Vortex (2022)

Each acquisition added new capabilities, subjects, and expertise to the PW ecosystem.

It Hasn’t Been All Smooth Sailing

The App Crash of 2020

Success came with growing pains. In 2020, when over 2 lakh students tried to access the app simultaneously, it crashed. Imagine the pressure! But the team worked around the clock to fix it.

The ₹75 Crore Offer

In 2021, Unacademy, one of PW’s biggest competitors, tried to poach their staff and even offered Alakh ₹75 crore to acquire Physics Wallah.

Alakh’s response? A firm no.

He could’ve taken the money and retired comfortably. Instead, he chose to stay true to his mission. This decision showed students and investors alike that PW was built on principles, not just profits.

What’s Next for Physics Wallah?

The future looks exciting. Here’s what PW is planning:

Offline Expansion

More PW Pathshala centers across tier 2 and tier 3 cities where students need quality coaching the most.

Regional Languages

Content in 9 regional languages to reach students who aren’t comfortable with Hindi or English.

K-12 Education

Expanding into formal school education and publishing sectors.

Supporting Startups

In 2024, PW launched the “School of Startups” with a ₹100 crore fund to mentor and support young entrepreneurs. They’re giving back to the ecosystem that helped them grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Physics Wallah?
Physics Wallah is an Indian EdTech platform offering affordable, high-quality education for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, UPSC, and MPSC, plus board exam preparation.

Who founded Physics Wallah?
Alakh Pandey (the teacher and visionary) and Prateek Maheshwari (the tech and business expert) co-founded PW.

How much is Physics Wallah worth today?
As of December 2024, Physics Wallah is valued at $2.8 billion.

When did Physics Wallah become a unicorn?
PW achieved unicorn status in June 2022 after raising $100 million from WestBridge Capital and GSV Ventures.

Are Physics Wallah courses really affordable?
Yes! That’s their core philosophy. PW courses cost a fraction of what traditional coaching centers charge, making quality education accessible to more students.

Is Physics Wallah planning an IPO?
While there’s no official announcement yet, given their growth trajectory and funding rounds, an IPO could be on the horizon in the coming years.

The Bottom Line: Why Physics Wallah’s Story Matters

Physics Wallah’s journey from a YouTube channel to a $2.8 billion unicorn isn’t just another startup success story. It’s proof that when you genuinely care about solving a real problem — in this case, making education affordable — success follows.

Alakh Pandey didn’t start with venture capital, fancy offices, or a massive team. He started with a camera, a whiteboard, and a burning desire to help students who couldn’t afford expensive coaching. That authenticity resonated with millions.

Today, Physics Wallah has transformed the lives of millions of students across India. More importantly, they’ve set a new standard for EdTech companies — proving that you don’t have to choose between impact and profitability, between affordability and quality.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, PW’s story offers powerful lessons: stay true to your mission, understand your customers deeply, and remember that sustainable businesses are built on trust, not just transactions.

As Physics Wallah continues to grow, one thing remains constant — their commitment to making quality education accessible to every student who dreams of a better future.