Along with the jail sentence, Raveendran has reportedly been directed to pay S$90,000 (approximately $70,000) in legal costs and submit relevant documents regarding his asset ownership.
This development adds to the ongoing legal and financial challenges surrounding what was once India’s most valuable startup.
Early life and background
Byju Raveendran was born on 5 January 1980 in Azhikode village, Kerala, India. He grew up in a family of educators—his father taught physics and his mother taught mathematics.
During his schooling years in a Malayalam-medium institution, Raveendran reportedly showed strong aptitude in mathematics. He was also known for being highly active in sports, participating in multiple games including football and cricket, often prioritizing them over regular classroom attendance.
Education and early career
Raveendran completed his B.Tech from the Government College of Engineering, Kannur. After graduation, he worked as a service engineer with a multinational shipping company and later spent time working abroad in a corporate role.
His entry into education came unexpectedly during a vacation in 2003, when he helped friends prepare for the CAT entrance exam. His informal teaching approach gained attention after he himself took the exam and scored in the 99th percentile with minimal preparation.
Encouraged by this result, he appeared for the CAT again and reportedly achieved a 100 percentile score. Despite receiving offers from IIMs, he chose not to enroll.
Founding of BYJU’S and rise in edtech
Motivated by his growing interest in teaching, Raveendran began conducting learning sessions focused on simplifying exam preparation. In 2011, he formally founded Think & Learn Pvt Ltd, which later developed into BYJU'S.
The company grew rapidly over the following decade, positioning itself as a major player in the global edtech space by offering digital learning programs designed to make education more accessible, engaging, and personalized.
At its peak, BYJU’S was valued at around $22 billion, making it one of India’s most prominent startup success stories.
Legal challenges and current situation
In recent years, Raveendran and BYJU’S have faced increasing financial and legal scrutiny amid broader concerns about the company’s business performance and governance.
The latest Singapore court ruling marks a significant escalation, with the contempt order tied to alleged non-compliance with asset-related directives.
Once celebrated as a symbol of India’s startup boom, Raveendran now finds himself at the center of multiple legal disputes across jurisdictions, reflecting the dramatic reversal in the fortunes of BYJU’S.
.png?w=600)
