Layoffs · Education & Skilling
Adda247 cuts 200 staff in restructuring ahead of IPO
By Startup Enthusiast ·
- Date
- Company
- Adda247
- What it does
- Online test preparation platform
- Kind
- Layoffs
- Based in
- Gurugram
- Founded
- 2016
- Sector
- Education & Skilling
What they do
Adda247 is an online education platform offering courses for over 500 competitive exams
What happened
The company laid off approximately 200 employees to save ₹5 Cr annually before its planned IPO
Why it matters
This follows prior layoffs and a study acquisition as the firm navigates sector slowdowns
The details
- Adda247 laid off ~200 employees representing about 20% of its workforce by the end of April 2026.
- The cuts affect staff across product, design, content, and teaching verticals including CUET and UPSC.
- The company aims to achieve ₹5 Cr in annual cost savings through this restructuring process.
- Adda247 plans to launch an IPO within the next 12-18 months following these operational changes.
- This event marks a second round of job cuts after ~250-300 employees were let go in late 2023.
- The company also shut down its Hindi CUET vertical as part of broader strategic adjustments.
- Investors include Google, WestBridge, InfoEdge, and Asha Impact who have backed the startup previously.
- Total funding raised to date stands at approximately $67 Mn according to available reports.
The bigger picture
- The company faces a growth plateau that has persisted over the last few years.
- The broader edtech sector slowdown has impacted revenue trajectories and profitability expectations.
- Cost-cutting measures are likely intended to improve financial metrics ahead of the public listing.
- Restructuring signals a shift towards operational efficiency rather than aggressive expansion.
- Previous acquisitions like StudyIQ suggest a strategy of consolidating market share in civil services prep.
About the business
- Adda247 operates as a test preparation platform covering more than 500 different exams.
- Key exam categories include CUET, IIT JEE, NEET, UPSC, government jobs, banking, SSC, and railways.
- The platform offers live online classes, on-demand video courses, mock tests, ebooks, and physical books.
- Test prep revenue accounts for roughly 75% of the company's overall revenue mix.
- The business model relies heavily on digital content delivery and subscription-based learning tools.
- Headquarters are located in Gurugram, serving students across India with vernacular and English content.
- The company targets aspirants seeking careers in civil services, judiciary, and corporate sectors.
- Revenue streams are driven by course sales and individual test series purchases.
- The firm has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions to cover niche exam segments.
What happens next
- The company intends to file for an IPO within 12-18 months.
- Management will focus on improving profitability through continued operational efficiencies.
- Future growth may depend on stabilizing revenue amid the sector slowdown.
Investors
- Google (investor)
- WestBridge (investor)
- InfoEdge (investor)
- Asha Impact (investor)
Founders
- Anil Nagar, Co-founder & CEO
- Saurabh Bansal, Co-founder
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