The Architect of BYJU’S Triumph: Divya Gokulnath
Born in 1987 into an educated family in Bengaluru, Divya Gokulnath is a pioneering woman entrepreneur with an impressive journey. Her father, a Nephrologist at Apollo Hospital, and her mother, a programming executive at Doordarshan, instilled a strong focus on education. As the only child, Divya completed her schooling at Frank Anthony Public School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from RV College of Engineering in Bengaluru in 2007.
Post-graduation, Divya initiated GRE tuitions, where she crossed paths with Byju Raveendran. Influenced by her, she joined Byju’s and started teaching mathematics, English, and logical reasoning.
Career Upliftment:
Divya’s career with Byju’s commenced in 2008, focusing on in-person education. In 2015, she played a pivotal role as Byju’s ventured into online education with video lessons, showcasing Divya as a teacher in the videos. Apart from teaching, she has written extensively on educational topics, parenting, and women’s participation in STEM fields.
Married to Byju Raveendran, the couple, along with Riju Raveendran, collectively contributed to Byju’s becoming a $3.05 billion enterprise. They live in a joint family of 11 members, and Divya became a mother of two, managing her professional responsibilities, especially during the pandemic when remote work became the norm.
Role in BYJU’S Success:
As a co-founder of Byju’s, Divya Gokulnath has been instrumental in the company’s growth. She introduced innovative teaching methods, making learning accessible and enjoyable. Byju’s, founded in 2015, offers a learning app for classes 4 to 12, covering competitive exams like JEE, CAT, NEET, and IAS.
Under Divya’s guidance, Byju’s boasts over 42 million registrations and 3 million annual paid subscriptions, providing engaging and visual lessons. She implemented strategic collaborations with schools, offering free education through the app, and the company received substantial backing from prominent investors.
Divya’s dedication and hard work have earned her recognition, featuring on LinkedIn’s Top Voices in 2019 and 2020, Business Today’s Most Powerful Women in Indian Business, Femina Power list in 2020, and Forbes’ acknowledgment. In 2021, she received the Entrepreneur of the Year and Women Who Make India Awards. Divya Gokulnath stands as a symbol of success and empowerment in the field of education and entrepreneurship.