Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah (PW), backed by Lightspeed Venture Partners, has appointed Amit Sachdeva as its new chief financial officer, marking a strategic move in preparation for its anticipated public market debut in 2025. Sachdeva, formerly the finance chief at Blinkit (previously Grofers) until its ₹4,000 crore acquisition by Zomato in 2022, brings extensive financial expertise to PhysicsWallah, particularly within the tech and consumer sectors.

Background of Amit Sachdeva

Before joining PhysicsWallah, Sachdeva held the position of CFO at IGT Solutions in Gurugram. His career also includes leading finance operations at Wipro’s digital operations and platforms division, showcasing his depth of experience in managing finance for tech-driven enterprises. This background positions him well to guide PhysicsWallah through its upcoming IPO process.

Recent Funding and Growth

PhysicsWallah’s recent hiring push follows a significant $210 million funding round led by Hornbill Capital Advisers and Lightspeed Venture Partners, which doubled the edtech startup’s valuation to $2.8 billion from its previous valuation of $1.1 billion. Existing investors, including GSV Ventures and WestBridge Capital, also participated in this funding round. The addition of Hornbill Capital, known for its expertise in IPO preparations, underscores PhysicsWallah’s focus on strengthening its governance and financial team as it looks toward a future IPO.

Quotes from Leadership

“We are enhancing our finance team and refining our governance practices,” co-founder Prateek Maheshwari shared in a September interview. “Manoj [Thakur] and his team at Hornbill Capital have significant IPO experience, making them the right advisors to prepare us for the public market.”

Expansion Plans

As India’s edtech sector eyes IPO opportunities following the surge of IPOs in food delivery, fintech, and mobility, PhysicsWallah is advancing its growth agenda. Over the next year, it plans to open 40 new centers in cities like Nashik, Pune, Dehradun, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Chennai to strengthen its presence in major markets. A substantial portion—approximately 60%—of the recent funding round will be directed toward mergers and acquisitions to further expand its offerings.

Market Position

Founded in 2020 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari, PhysicsWallah operates tech-enabled offline and hybrid education centers for K-12 students across over 105 cities in India. In addition to its core offerings, the company also operates test preparation verticals for various competitive exams along with divisions focusing on skills development and overseas education.

Financial Performance

PhysicsWallah joined the unicorn club in 2022 after raising $100 million from WestBridge and GSV at a valuation of $1.1 billion. Despite facing challenges within the competitive landscape of edtech, including a dramatic 90% decline in net profit to INR 8.9 crore in FY23, the company reported a significant increase in operating revenue—up 234% year-on-year to INR 779.3 crore.

Industry Context

The developments come during a turbulent period for the Indian edtech sector. The sector experienced rapid growth during the pandemic but has faced significant challenges with the reopening of schools, prompting many companies to explore offline models. The difficulties were compounded by a funding crunch that has left many edtech companies struggling with mounting losses.

Conclusion

PhysicsWallah’s decision to pursue an IPO reflects a broader trend among Indian startups looking to list on stock exchanges amid favorable market conditions. As it prepares for this landmark moment in public markets, the appointment of Amit Sachdeva as CFO signifies a commitment to building a strong financial foundation.

With ongoing expansions and strategic hiring aimed at enhancing governance practices, PhysicsWallah is positioning itself as a leader in the edtech space while navigating the complexities of an evolving industry landscape. If successful, it would become India’s first edtech startup to go public, setting a precedent for others in the sector.

WhatsApp has launched a new feature called Message Drafts, designed to help users easily locate and complete any unsent messages they may have started but forgotten to send. This update aims to save time and reduce the frustration of searching for unfinished messages buried in chat histories.

How Message Drafts Works

With Message Drafts, WhatsApp will now mark any incomplete messages with a “Draft” label, moving them to the top of the chat list for easy access. This feature is particularly helpful for users who may get interrupted mid-conversation, as it allows them to quickly pick up where they left off. No more endless scrolling or missing out on sending important thoughts—WhatsApp’s draft feature ensures these messages are easy to spot and complete.

Key Features of Message Drafts

• Draft Indicator: Any unfinished message will automatically receive a “Draft” label, making it clear which messages need further attention.
• Top Chat List Placement: Draft messages are automatically moved to the top of the chat list, allowing users to find them quickly whenever they’re ready to finish and send.
• User-Friendly Design: The feature is designed to be intuitive, ensuring that users can easily navigate their chats without losing track of their thoughts.

Availability

The Message Drafts feature is now available on both iOS and Android, accessible globally. Users can start using it by simply updating to the latest version of WhatsApp. This rollout comes after extensive testing with beta users, ensuring that the feature meets user needs effectively.

Additional Features on the Horizon

WhatsApp is also working on several privacy-focused updates. Soon, users may be able to connect using usernames rather than phone numbers, offering an extra layer of privacy and allowing people to chat without revealing personal contact details.

Enhanced Contact Management

In addition, WhatsApp is enhancing contact management, especially on WhatsApp Web. Soon, users will be able to add and organize contacts directly from their computers, making it easier to separate personal and professional networks.

Commitment to User Experience

These updates underscore WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to making the platform more user-friendly and privacy-conscious for its global audience. By addressing common user frustrations—such as losing track of unsent messages—WhatsApp aims to enhance the overall messaging experience.

Broader Context of Updates

The introduction of Message Drafts aligns with WhatsApp’s recent focus on improving functionality through user feedback. Other recent features include disappearing messages, multi-device support, and customizable contact lists, all aimed at enhancing communication efficiency.

Conclusion

WhatsApp’s new Message Drafts feature offers a practical solution for managing unfinished messages, making it easier for users to stay organized in their conversations. By providing a clear indicator for unsent messages and prioritizing them in the chat list, WhatsApp enhances its usability for both casual and professional communication.

As WhatsApp continues to evolve with new features and improvements, it remains dedicated to fostering a safe and efficient messaging environment for its extensive user base worldwide. With these enhancements, WhatsApp is well-positioned to maintain its status as a leading messaging platform in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Google has officially launched its much-anticipated Gemini app for iPhone users, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion of its artificial intelligence (AI) offerings to the iOS platform. Now available for free on the Apple App Store, Gemini aims to provide iPhone users with advanced AI-powered tools that support a range of tasks, from productivity to creative projects, bringing AI capabilities to the iOS ecosystem alongside popular tools like Siri and ChatGPT.

What is Google Gemini?

Developed by Google’s DeepMind team, Gemini is a sophisticated AI suite designed to assist users with various tasks. Leveraging advanced language models, machine learning, and natural language processing, the app allows users to complete tasks faster and more efficiently. From helping users write, summarize, and translate to generating creative content like stories and code snippets, Gemini stands out as a versatile tool for daily use.

Key Features of Google Gemini

With an intuitive, mobile-optimized interface, the Gemini app provides a smooth user experience for iPhone users. Here are some of its standout features:

• AI-Assisted Content Creation: Users can input brief prompts, and Gemini can produce anything from formal emails to creative writing or even snippets of code.

• Natural Language Understanding: Gemini’s advanced natural language processing allows users to converse naturally in plain English (or other languages), receiving context-aware responses.

• Gemini Live: A standout feature, Gemini Live offers real-time, interactive assistance. Unlike traditional AI tools that rely on static prompts, Gemini Live engages in dynamic conversations with users, much like a human assistant. This functionality is ideal for brainstorming, quick information retrieval, and problem-solving.

• Image Generation: With access to Google’s Imagen 3, users can generate stunning AI images from text descriptions quickly and efficiently.

Privacy and Security

User privacy and data security are central to Google’s approach with the Gemini app. Operating under Google’s stringent privacy policies, the app provides options for users to manage their data and privacy settings transparently. While Gemini cannot access iPhone apps or settings directly, it seamlessly integrates with Google’s suite of apps like Maps, Gmail, Drive, and YouTube, enhancing its functionality while ensuring user control over data.

Availability and Future Plans

Currently, Gemini is exclusively available for iPhone users; however, Google has hinted at plans to expand it to other platforms, including Android and desktop versions in the near future. For iOS users, the release of the Gemini app is just the beginning, with Google promising regular updates and feature enhancements in the coming months.

Competitive Landscape

The launch of Gemini comes at a time when competition among AI-powered applications is intensifying. With Apple rolling out ChatGPT integration into Siri in December and other tech giants developing their own AI tools, Google’s entry into this space aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI-driven personal assistants.

Conclusion

With the debut of the Gemini app on iOS, Google brings its powerful AI resources to mobile devices. This app promises to be an essential tool for iPhone users looking to leverage AI for both personal and professional use. By combining advanced technology with user-friendly features, Gemini aims to enhance productivity and creativity while ensuring user privacy remains a top priority.

As Google continues to innovate within the AI space, users can expect exciting developments that will further integrate these capabilities into their daily lives. The introduction of Gemini not only expands Google’s presence in mobile AI but also reflects a broader trend toward making sophisticated technology accessible to all users.