Whitehat Jr Founder Departs After Byju's Acquisition

Karan Bajaj Departs WhiteHat Jr Following Byju’s Acquisition

Karan Bajaj, the founder and CEO of WhiteHat Jr, is set to leave the company. This move occurs approximately one year after the startup was acquired by Indian edtech leader Byju’s for $300 million.

Mutual Decision and Previous Reports

A joint statement released on Wednesday by Bajaj and Byju Raveendran, founder and CEO of Byju’s, indicated that this departure was a “mutually decided” outcome. This agreement was established during the initial acquisition of WhiteHat Jr.

Speculation regarding Bajaj’s potential exit had circulated for over three months. In early April, TechCrunch directly inquired with Byju’s about these rumors. At that time, India’s most highly valued startup refuted the claims.

Leadership Transition and Rebranding

Shortly after the initial denial, Byju’s announced a rebranding initiative. The international division was to be renamed Byju’s Future School, with Karan Bajaj appointed as its leader.

Byju Raveendran expressed his sentiments, stating that while he wished Bajaj would remain with the company for a longer duration, he recognizes Bajaj’s penchant for unconventional decisions. He extended his best wishes for Bajaj’s future endeavors.

New Leadership at WhiteHat Jr

Trupti Mukker, formerly responsible for customer experience at WhiteHat Jr, will now assume leadership of the company. This transition aims to ensure continued operational success.

WhiteHat Jr’s Growth and Controversies

WhiteHat Jr has experienced rapid growth, offering coding, math, and science education to students across multiple markets, including India, Australia, and the U.S. The company has also garnered attention due to its decision to pursue legal action against its critics.

Bajaj’s Farewell Message

In a message to employees, Bajaj expressed his gratitude for the “intense, challenging, but deeply satisfying period” they shared. He conveyed his excitement for the future and appreciation for being a part of their journey.

Byju’s Expansion Through Acquisitions

Byju’s has been actively pursuing a strategy of acquisitions in recent months. Notable acquisitions include U.S.-based Epic, the Aakash coaching centre chain, and Asian edtech firm Great Learning. This expansion aims to broaden its market reach and diversify its product portfolio.

Revenue Projections and Operational Approach

Byju Raveendran recently shared with TechCrunch that Byju’s anticipates three of its U.S. businesses will each generate $100 million in revenue this year.

The company’s approach to acquisitions involves accelerating the growth of acquired firms while allowing the original founding teams to maintain oversight of their respective operations.