Lido Learning is an ed-tech company from India that was founded in April 2019 by Sahil Sheth. The company aimed to change how students learn by offering live online classes. Here’s a look at its foundation and the people behind it.
Sahil Sheth started Lido Learning to fill a gap in the education sector. He saw that students liked watching videos, but they also needed real-time interaction with teachers and friends. So, Lido Learning provided small-group online tutoring sessions to make learning more engaging and personalized[2][4).
The idea came after Sheth's experience in China, where he saw how online tutoring was done with advanced analytics to track student performance. This inspired him to create a similar model for Lido Learning[1][2).
In its early days, Lido Learning focused on offering live online classes for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. This approach quickly gained traction, especially in Tier 1 cities in India[1][2).
Sahil Sheth, the founder and CEO of Lido Learning, has a strong background in the ed-tech sector. Before starting Lido Learning, he founded Infinite Student, which was later acquired by Byju’s in 2015. After the acquisition, Sheth worked as Vice President at Byju’s, gaining valuable insights into the e-learning industry[1][2][4).
Sheth’s experience at Byju’s helped him understand the need for interactive and community-based learning. This knowledge was crucial in shaping Lido Learning’s unique approach to online education[1][2).
Sheth is a Duke University alumnus, which adds to his educational and professional credentials. His past successes and experiences played a significant role in the initial success of Lido Learning[4).
Lido Learning’s journey was marked by rapid growth and ambitious plans. Here’s how the company evolved from its initial concept to its current state.
Lido Learning started by offering live online classes with a maximum teacher-to-student ratio of 1:6. This model included additional self-paced content, quizzes, games, and homework assistance. The company aimed to disrupt the traditional small-group tuition class market[1][2][4).
Initially, the company focused on Tier 1 cities in India but soon planned to expand to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and even internationally. This expansion was driven by the company’s early success and funding rounds[1][2).
However, despite its promising start, Lido Learning faced significant financial challenges. The company’s rapid expansion and reliance on continuous funding led to its eventual shutdown in February 2022[2][3][4]).
Lido Learning achieved several key milestones during its operation. Here are some notable ones:
Lido Learning’s product portfolio was diverse and aimed to cater to a wide range of subjects. Here are some key features:
Lido Learning’s technology infrastructure was a key component of its business model. Here’s a look at its core platform architecture and innovations.
The core platform of Lido Learning was designed to support interactive and personalized learning. Here are some key aspects:
The platform used modern technology to facilitate live online classes. It ensured that each class had no more than six students, allowing for better interaction between teachers and students[1][2]).
The platform also included self-paced content such as videos, quizzes, and games. This content was designed to supplement the live classes and provide a comprehensive learning experience[1][2]).
While detailed information on Lido Learning’s security and compliance framework is not extensively documented, it is essential for any ed-tech company to ensure data security and compliance with educational standards.
Typically, such platforms would have robust security measures to protect student data and ensure that all operations comply with relevant educational and privacy laws[3]).
Lido Learning brought several innovations to the ed-tech industry. Here are some key points:
```
Lido Learning, an EdTech startup from India, has made a significant impact on the education market. Here’s how:
Lido Learning saw rapid growth in its user base, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The startup provided live online classes, which were in high demand as traditional schools shifted to remote learning. By 2020, Lido Learning had over 2,000 paying customers and nearly 400 teachers[4).
The user base growth was fueled by the company's innovative approach to education. Lido Learning offered small-group online tutoring with a maximum teacher-student ratio of 1:6. This approach ensured personalized attention and interactive learning experiences for students. The platform covered a wide range of subjects including math, science, English, and coding[4).
The growth in user base also led to an expansion of the company's workforce. Lido Learning added 1,000 new personnel to its employee base to handle the increasing demand for its online classes. Over half of these new hires were tutors, while the rest were dedicated to sales and customer support[1).
Lido Learning expanded its market share not only in India but also internationally. In 2021, the startup ventured into the Middle Eastern market, offering its services to students in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Later, it expanded into the US and Canadian markets with its flagship coding program using the ‘Pair Learning’ methodology[2).
The international expansion was part of Lido Learning’s aggressive growth strategy. The company planned to further expand into the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. This expansion was aimed at connecting students worldwide with India’s highly qualified teaching talent[2).
Lido Learning’s market share expansion was also driven by its unique curriculum designed by experts from Stanford, Harvard, and IITs. The use of AI, immersive curriculum, and gamification made its classes more engaging and effective, attracting a larger student base[2).
Although specific financial inclusion initiatives by Lido Learning are not widely documented, the company's overall mission was to make quality education accessible to a broader audience. By offering online classes, Lido Learning made education more accessible to students who might not have had the opportunity otherwise.
The startup's focus on small-group tutoring and personalized learning experiences helped in bridging the gap between traditional classroom education and digital learning. This approach was particularly beneficial for students in areas where access to quality education was limited[4).
Lido Learning's expansion into international markets also contributed to financial inclusion by providing educational opportunities to students globally. However, the company's financial struggles and eventual closure highlight the challenges in sustaining such initiatives without stable funding[4).
Lido Learning's financial journey was marked by rapid growth and significant funding rounds, but it ultimately ended in financial difficulties. Here’s a detailed look:
Lido Learning recorded impressive revenue growth. By the end of 2021, the company had achieved a $20 million run rate, with a projected $100 million run rate by the end of the year. This growth was driven by a 56% monthly increase in revenue over three months[1).
The revenue growth was a result of the company's expanding user base and the increasing demand for its online classes. Lido Learning's unique approach to education, including its small-group tutoring and interactive learning methods, contributed significantly to its financial success[1).
However, despite the revenue growth, the company faced significant financial challenges. Lido Learning was overly reliant on continuous funding to sustain its operations and expansion plans, which ultimately led to its downfall[4).
Lido Learning's path to profitability was challenging. The company raised substantial funds but struggled to achieve sustainable profitability. By 2020, Lido Learning had raised $10.5 million in its Series B round and another $10 million in its Series C round in 2021[4).
Despite these funding rounds, the company's financial health remained precarious. Lido Learning's burn rate was high, with $5.7 million in burn just when the revenue was $500K. This imbalance between revenue and expenses made it difficult for the company to achieve profitability[9]).
The company's aggressive expansion plans and reliance on continuous funding ultimately led to its financial collapse. Lido Learning ceased operations in February 2022 due to its inability to secure further funding[10]).
Lido Learning raised a total of $23.5 million through various funding rounds. The startup's funding journey began with a $3 million Series A round in November 2019. This was followed by a $10.5 million Series B round in March 2020 and a $10 million Series C round in 2021 led by Unilazer Ventures[9]).
The investment rounds were aimed at fueling the company's aggressive international expansion plans. However, despite the significant funding, Lido Learning failed to achieve long-term financial stability. The company's valuation and financial health were severely impacted by its high burn rate and inability to secure further funding[9]).
The investors in Lido Learning included prominent names such as Unilazer Ventures, ZNL Ventures, BAce Capital, and others. However, the company's financial struggles led to a loss for these investors when Lido Learning declared bankruptcy[10]).
Lido Learning, although primarily focused on education, did not have widely documented strategic partnerships in the traditional sense. However, its approach to education involved collaborations with educational experts and the use of advanced technology.
There is no specific information available on Lido Learning's banking collaborations. The company's focus was primarily on educational services rather than financial or banking partnerships.
However, if we consider the broader context of EdTech companies, partnerships with financial institutions can be crucial for providing scholarships, loans, or other financial assistance to students. Such collaborations could have helped Lido Learning in making education more accessible and affordable[7]).
Lido Learning did not have documented merchant partnerships. The company's business model was centered around providing educational services directly to students rather than through merchant partnerships.
In the EdTech sector, merchant partnerships can be beneficial for offering bundled services or promotions. For example, a partnership with educational material providers could have enhanced the learning experience for Lido Learning's students. However, such partnerships were not a part of Lido Learning's strategy[9]).
Lido Learning leveraged advanced technology to deliver its educational services. The company used AI, an immersive curriculum, and gamification to make learning more engaging and effective. These technological advancements were part of its core strategy to improve student outcomes[7]).
The use of technology allowed Lido Learning to track student performance and provide personalized learning experiences. The platform included features like self-paced videos, quizzes, games, customized tests, and homework assistance, all of which were designed to enhance the learning experience[9]).
While specific technology alliances are not documented, the company's reliance on cutting-edge educational technology was a key factor in its initial success and growth[7]).
```
Explore our expert-led programs or join our free community of 5,000+ Indian founders - scale with 18startup!
Get started 🚀 
Antah Prerna Education Private Limited,
Office Address: 55, Raju Naidu Road, Tatabad, Coimbatore – 641012
