Cialfo Secures $40M Funding to Expand Edtech Platform

Cialfo Secures $40 Million in Series B Funding

The college application process presents a significant challenge for many high school students, particularly those aspiring to study internationally. Cialfo aims to simplify this experience through its comprehensive platform.

Platform Features

Cialfo’s platform provides tools for school research, facilitates communication between counselors and students, and offers Direct Apply. This feature streamlines the application process for international students, allowing them to apply to numerous programs using a single form.

Funding Details

The Singapore-based edtech company has announced a $40 million Series B funding round. Square Peg and SEEK Investments led the investment.

This round included contributions from existing investors such as SIG Global, Vulcan Capital, DLF Ventures, January Capital, and Lim Teck Lee. To date, Cialfo has raised a total of $55 million.

A previous $15 million Series A funding round was completed in February 2021.

Global Presence and Partnerships

Currently, Cialfo employs over 170 individuals across Singapore, India, the United States, and China.

The company has established partnerships with approximately 1,000 universities worldwide. These include prestigious institutions like Imperial College London, the University of Chicago, and IE University in Spain.

Company Origins

Cialfo was founded in 2017 by Rohan Pasari, Stanley Chia, and William Hund.

The founders were motivated by Pasari’s personal experiences. Growing up in India, his high school lacked a dedicated career counselor, leaving students to navigate the college application process independently.

Early Challenges and Solutions

Pasari initially intended to attend a four-year university in the United States, but financial constraints prevented this. He subsequently secured a full scholarship to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.

Prior to graduation, Pasari assisted his sister and friends with their college applications, sparking the idea for Cialfo.

Pasari and Chia initially established an education consultancy, serving around 200 students. Recognizing the potential for scalability through technology, they sold the consultancy in 2017 and used the proceeds to launch Cialfo.

Business Model and Future Plans

Cialfo operates on a B2B subscription model, targeting schools. Counselors invite students to utilize the platform, with access also extended to parents or guardians.

The company’s core mission is to support one million students in their college preparation journey. They believe this requires access to information, personalized guidance, and financial resources.

The newly acquired funding will be allocated to expanding Cialfo’s global user base, enhancing platform features, and exploring potential acquisitions.