Thinkerbell Labs is a startup that aims to make education accessible to children with physical imbalances. The company was founded by four college friends: Aman Srivastava, Dilip Ramesh, Sanskriti Dawle, and Saif Shaikh. Their vision is to use technology to improve the lives of visually impaired children.
The founders of Thinkerbell Labs had a clear vision from the beginning. They wanted to create a device that would help visually impaired children learn Braille in a fun and engaging way. This idea was born out of a project they worked on during their college days at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. The project, called "Project Mudra," was a simple Braille learning device made with a Raspberry Pi and coded in Python[2][5].
The early days involved a lot of experimentation and learning. The founders realized that there was a significant need for better Braille learning devices. They drew inspiration from Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher, and named their device "Annie" in her honor. This name holds special meaning, as it reminds them of the dedication and impact that Anne Sullivan had on Helen Keller's life[2].
The team's vision expanded as they understood the broader implications of their work. They saw that their device could not only teach Braille but also provide a comprehensive learning experience that included games, lessons, and stories in regional languages. This approach made learning Braille more enjoyable and effective for children[1][3].
The founding team of Thinkerbell Labs consists of four engineering graduates from BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. Aman Srivastava, Dilip Ramesh, Sanskriti Dawle, and Saif Shaikh came together with a shared passion for using technology to solve real-world problems. Their background in engineering provided them with the technical skills necessary to develop innovative solutions[2][5].
Sanskriti Dawle and Aman Srivastava were the first to start working on the project, which later evolved into Thinkerbell Labs. They were joined by Dilip Ramesh and Saif Shaikh, and together they formed a vibrant team dedicated to making a difference in the lives of visually impaired children. Their diverse skills and experiences have been crucial in shaping the company's mission and products[2].
The founders have been recognized for their work, including appearances on Shark Tank India and participation in the Google for Startups Sales Academy. These opportunities have helped them refine their strategies and expand their reach[1][5].
Thinkerbell Labs has undergone significant growth since its inception. From its early days as a college project to becoming a global edtech startup, the company has made remarkable strides. Here’s a look at how the company has evolved over time.
The initial concept of Thinkerbell Labs was born out of "Project Mudra," a simple Braille learning device. However, as the team received positive feedback and realized the potential of their device, they decided to turn it into a full-fledged company. In 2016, they officially founded Thinkerbell Labs and began developing Annie, a comprehensive Braille self-learning device[2].
Annie is designed to be child-friendly, with a focus on making learning fun and engaging. The device includes Braille lessons, games, and stories in regional languages. This approach has been instrumental in improving the learning experience for visually impaired children. Over time, the company has refined its product based on feedback from students and teachers, ensuring that Annie meets the needs of its users effectively[1][3].
Today, Thinkerbell Labs is recognized for its innovative approach to Braille education. The company has expanded its reach beyond India, with Annie being used in schools and institutes in countries like Wales and Dubai. Their partnership with the UK’s Royal National Institute of the Blind has further enhanced their global presence[5].
Thinkerbell Labs has achieved several key milestones in its growth journey. One significant milestone was when the founders appeared on the debut season of Shark Tank India. This exposure helped them gain widespread recognition and attract new investors. During the show, a 10-year-old visually impaired student, Prathamesh Sinha, demonstrated how Annie works, which further boosted the company’s visibility[1][5].
The company also made a significant deal with an American company, worth around 12 to 13 crore, to deliver 700 Annies annually to the USA under the name Polly. This deal has been a major boost to their global expansion plans. Additionally, Thinkerbell Labs has been valued at 60 crore, indicating its growing financial stability[1].
Thinkerbell Labs has also been involved in various government initiatives. They have tied up with state and district-level government departments to deploy Annie Smart Classes. These classes include Annie devices, localized content, and necessary infrastructure, catering to an average of 90 students over three years[3].
Thinkerbell Labs' product portfolio is centered around Annie, the Braille self-learning device. However, the company has expanded its offerings to include a comprehensive ecosystem. The Helios Analytics suite is a key component of this ecosystem, allowing for easy tracking of student progress, scheduling of tests and lessons, and generation of performance reports[3].
The company also provides content in localized languages, which is crucial for making Braille education accessible in different regions. The Annie toolkits and server support are designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that both students and teachers can use the device effectively. The typical setup cost for an Annie Smart Class is around Rs 10 lakh ($12,500 USD), which includes the hardware, content, and analytics suite[5].
In addition to Annie, Thinkerbell Labs has developed other resources to support Braille education. They offer games, lessons, and stories that engage children and make learning more enjoyable. These resources are designed to improve reading, writing, and typing skills in Braille[1][3].
Thinkerbell Labs' technology infrastructure is designed to support its mission of making Braille education accessible and effective. Here’s a look at the core components of their technology infrastructure.
The core platform architecture of Thinkerbell Labs is built around Annie, the Braille self-learning device. Annie uses a combination of hardware and software to provide a comprehensive learning experience. The device is designed to be user-friendly, with a child-friendly interface that includes Braille lessons, games, and stories in regional languages[1][3].
The Helios Analytics suite is another critical component of their platform. It allows teachers to track student progress, schedule tests and lessons, and generate performance reports. This suite also enables the downloading of new content and the comparison of results, which helps in identifying areas that need more focus[3].
The platform is also scalable, allowing it to cater to a large number of students. For instance, one Annie Smart Class can cater to an average of 90 students over three years. This scalability is crucial for making Braille education accessible to a wider audience[3].
Thinkerbell Labs takes the security and compliance of its platform very seriously. While specific details about their security framework are not widely available, it is clear that the company adheres to strict standards to protect user data and ensure the integrity of their system. The use of the Helios Analytics suite, for example, suggests a robust framework for managing and analyzing student data securely[3].
The company’s compliance with educational standards is also important. They work closely with educational institutions and government departments to ensure that their products meet the necessary standards for Braille education. This compliance is crucial for maintaining the trust of their users and partners[3].
Thinkerbell Labs is at the forefront of innovation in Braille education. Their device, Annie, is a significant departure from traditional Braille learning methods. By making learning fun and engaging through games and interactive lessons, Annie has set a new standard in the industry[1][3].
The company’s use of technology to track student progress and provide personalized learning experiences is another innovative aspect. The Helios Analytics suite adds a competitive edge to their product, enabling teachers to give homework and track performance in a more efficient manner. This approach has made Braille education more accessible and impactful, especially in developing countries where resources are limited[3].
Thinkerbell Labs’ global partnerships, such as with the UK’s Royal National Institute of the Blind, further underscore their commitment to innovation. These partnerships help in curating content and expanding their reach, ensuring that their solutions are tailored to meet the needs of visually impaired children worldwide[5].
Thinkerbell Labs, an innovative edtech startup from India, has been making significant strides in the education sector, particularly for the visually impaired. Here’s a look at their market impact.
Thinkerbell Labs has seen a notable increase in its user base, largely due to the effectiveness and accessibility of its flagship product, Annie. Annie is the world’s first Braille literacy device that allows visually impaired individuals to learn Braille independently. The device has been well-received by both students and teachers, leading to a substantial growth in the number of users.
For instance, during the pandemic, Annie helped many visually impaired students continue their education despite the lack of online alternatives. Prathamesh Sinha, a 10-year-old visually impaired student, demonstrated Annie's capabilities on the debut season of Shark Tank India, which significantly boosted the device's popularity[9].
The company's user base expansion is also driven by its partnerships with various educational institutions. Thinkerbell Labs has integrated Annie into private schools and institutes in India, as well as in international locations such as Wales and Dubai[9].
Thinkerbell Labs is expanding its market share by targeting both developed and developing countries. Annie's design ensures that it is accessible and impactful in various markets.
"Of the 180 million blind or visually impaired people in the world, nearly 90 percent live in the developing world," says Sanskriti Dawle, co-founder of Thinkerbell Labs. "Annie was designed to make Braille literacy accessible and impactful in this market. By designing for everybody, we have arrived at a solution that solves the problem of learning Braille in both the developed and developing world"[9].
The device supports multiple languages, including Bengali, Marathi, English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Arabic, making it versatile for different regions. This multilingual support has helped Thinkerbell Labs penetrate diverse markets effectively[9].
Thinkerbell Labs is committed to financial inclusion through its innovative solutions. The company aims to make education inclusive and accessible, which indirectly contributes to financial inclusion by empowering visually impaired individuals.
Annie is priced significantly lower than most Braille readers, making it more affordable. While most Braille readers cost between $5,000 to $15,000 USD, Annie is available for around $1,000 USD/Rs 70,000[9]. This affordability helps in reaching a broader audience and ensuring that more people can benefit from Braille literacy.
The company also receives support from corporate social responsibility funds and Indian B2G investments, which helps in sustaining and expanding their initiatives[9].
Thinkerbell Labs has experienced a notable financial journey since its inception. Here’s an overview of their revenue growth, path to profitability, and investment rounds.
Thinkerbell Labs has witnessed a significant rise in revenue over the years. In the fiscal year 2022-2023, the company recorded a revenue of Rs 6.18 crore, which is a 41% increase from the previous fiscal year's Rs 4.4 crore[7].
The revenue from operations also saw a substantial increase of over 65% to Rs 6.13 crore in the last fiscal year compared to Rs 3.7 crore in FY22. However, the income from other revenue streams dropped significantly during the same period[7].
Despite the fluctuations, the overall revenue growth indicates a strong market demand for Annie and other products offered by Thinkerbell Labs.
While Thinkerbell Labs has shown impressive revenue growth, the path to profitability remains challenging. The company incurred losses worth Rs 1.66 crore in the fiscal year 2022-2023, which is a significant increase from the previous year's Rs 49 lakhs[7].
The expenses gap widened to Rs 7.84 crore in the fiscal year ending March 2023, with employee benefit costs being the highest expense, taking up almost 34% of the overall expenses. Other significant expenses included cost of materials and traveling costs[7].
Despite these challenges, the company remains focused on its mission and is working towards achieving profitability through efficient operations and strategic partnerships.
Thinkerbell Labs has secured substantial funding through various investment rounds. The company has raised a total of over Rs 8.5 crore through five funding rounds, with the latest Series C round securing about Rs 1.4 crore from investors like Thapar Vision, Lenskart, Anupam Mittal, and The Prism Charitable Trust[7].
Prior to this, the company secured over Rs 1 crore in its Angel funding round from investors such as Peyush Bansal, Namita Mahesh Parab, and Anupam Mittal. The company is currently valued at Rs 39 crore[7].
The backing from prominent investors like Anand Mahindra and the Indian Angel Network has been crucial in supporting Thinkerbell Labs' growth and expansion plans[6].
Thinkerbell Labs has formed several strategic partnerships to enhance its market presence and service delivery. Here are some key partnerships.
While specific details on banking collaborations are not extensively documented, Thinkerbell Labs' focus on corporate social responsibility and B2G investments suggests that they may have partnerships with financial institutions to support their initiatives.
The company's financial inclusion initiatives are likely supported by collaborations with banks and other financial institutions to make their products more accessible to a wider audience[9].
Thinkerbell Labs has partnered with various educational institutions and organizations to integrate Annie into their systems. For example, the company has partnered with the UK’s Royal National Institute of the Blind to curate content and expand into international markets[9].
These partnerships help in ensuring that Annie is adopted widely and that the content is tailored to meet the needs of different regions and languages.
Thinkerbell Labs leverages cutting-edge technology to develop its products. The use of artificial intelligence and gamification techniques in Annie is a testament to their technological prowess.
The company's participation in programs like Google for Startups Sales Academy has helped in refining their strategies and improving their deal-making skills. This has been instrumental in enhancing their technology and product offerings[9].
Additionally, the company is working on other innovative projects such as Chakravyuh and SharedSafety, which further underscores their commitment to using technology to solve pressing social problems[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