LEAD Group, India’s largest and fastest-growing school edtech company, is transforming education through innovative, technology-driven solutions. Established in 2012, the company aims to deliver excellent education to every child in India. With a vision of equitable learning for all, LEAD Group has rapidly redefined the school experience for students. Furthermore, it has dramatically improved teaching effectiveness in over 8,000 schools nationwide.
At the core of LEAD Group’s innovation is its Integrated School Edtech System. It has enhanced learning outcomes for more than 3.5 million students and empowered over 50,000 teachers in 400+ cities and towns. Recognizing the unique needs of every school, LEAD Group provides customized solutions tailored to diverse educational environments. Their flagship programs include LEAD, a proprietary system designed to improve students’ English proficiency and build confidence; Pinnacle+, an NCF2023-aligned curriculum focused on academic excellence; Propel, which upgrades schools from traditional textbooks to multi-modal learning; and Pinnacle, a comprehensive blended curriculum covering all subjects.
LEAD Group is ambitiously aiming to propel the learning journey of 25 million students by 2028, reshaping the educational landscape in India. Their integrated approach ensures that every child, regardless of background or location, receives access to high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed.
In an exclusive interview with The Interview World, Arvind Singhal, Chief Growth Officer of LEAD Group, highlighted the success of edtech solutions like Pinnacle and Code.ai. He emphasized the growing adoption of coding among young students in India, while sharing insights into the company’s business model, market potential, and future growth plans. Here are the key takeaways from his insightful conversation.
Q: What are the main services and solutions that Pinnacle provides to the education sector, and how do they cater to the unique needs of educational institutions?
A: We recently launched Pinnacle, a cutting-edge brand that integrates technology, curriculum, and pedagogy into a seamless learning experience. Pinnacle offers a range of innovative solutions designed to enhance education through technology.
One of our key offerings under Pinnacle is Code.ai. This program focuses on teaching coding. Just like you don’t learn to swim by reading about it—you have to practice in the water—our Code.ai program combines theory with hands-on practice. Students receive a textbook, but more importantly, they get access to a platform where they can apply their coding knowledge, create projects, and learn through real-world applications.
Another standout offering from Pinnacle is Techbook, our next-generation alternative to traditional textbooks, which have been used for thousands of years. Techbook covers core subjects like English, Science, and Math, but with a difference—it’s powered by advanced technology. We’ve incorporated augmented reality (AR), interactive reading, and gamified learning experiences to create a personalized, engaging educational tool.
For example, in science, rather than simply reading about the human body or a skeleton, students can explore a 3D model of a skeleton. They can rotate it, break it into parts, and view its structure in detail, creating a fully immersive and experiential learning experience.
By merging books with technology, Pinnacle offers students a completely new way of learning that is both interactive and deeply engaging.
Q: What is the minimum age requirement for students to start learning coding on Code.ai, and how does your platform support young learners in acquiring coding skills effectively?
A: We have designed our coding program for students from grade one to grade eight. In grade one, students may not engage in advanced coding, but they begin to develop foundational skills, such as basic algorithmic thinking.
For instance, when considering how to travel from point A to point B, students learn to conceptualize the logical steps involved. They might think, “First, I stand up; then, I take a few steps to reach my destination.” This process introduces them to the fundamental concepts behind coding, focusing on algorithmic reasoning rather than actual coding itself.
As students progress through the grades, they gradually engage with age-appropriate tools and products that facilitate coding at increasingly complex levels. This approach ensures that learning remains manageable and enjoyable, allowing children to develop coding skills without feeling overwhelmed. Ultimately, our program empowers students to learn and practice coding in a supportive and engaging environment.
Q: How do you perceive the adoption and growth of coding platforms among students in India, and what factors are driving their uptake in the Indian education landscape?
A: The adoption of coding and AI education is robust, especially in light of the National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasizes the importance of these skills in schools.
However, current market offerings largely cater to traditional textbook approaches, often providing platforms that students may or may not choose to engage with. In contrast, our Code.ai program integrates teaching methods, platform usage, project work, and teacher evaluation into a cohesive learning experience.
This seamless integration distinguishes our program from others and positions it for significant adoption. As the world shifts towards prioritizing coding in education from an early age, our approach aligns perfectly with the NEP’s vision for the future of learning.
Q: Is your business model focused on B2B or B2C, and are your products primarily offered to schools or directly to individual students?
A: We are a company that collaborates directly with schools. Our offerings are specifically for educational institutions. Schools purchase our programs for their students, and we facilitate seamless implementation in the classroom.
Q: Is your company focused solely on the Indian market, or are you operating on a global scale as well?
A: We have a presence in the Middle East market; however, our primary focus remains on India. This market is where we concentrate our efforts and resources.
Q: What is the current market size of your company, and how do you envision its growth and expansion over the next five to ten years?
A: Currently, we serve over 10,000 schools across the country, offering a diverse portfolio that includes integrated products and book-only solutions.
Our vision is to expand our reach to 30,000 to 40,000 schools within the next five years. With approximately 1.5 million schools in India, we are still only scratching the surface of our potential market. We are working diligently towards this goal, striving to serve a larger segment of the educational landscape.
