How Param Kalantre Built an AI EdTech Platform to Simplify Competitive Exam Prep in India
Education
India
19 Years
Hey everyone, I'm Param, a 19-year-old from Pune and the Co-founder of TheAicharya, an edtech platform leveraging AI to support competitive exam preparation.
We’re building an AI-powered edtech platform that helps students prepare more effectively for competitive exams.
We operate via a B2B model, offering white-label apps to institutes, allowing us to reach a large number of students efficiently.
"Our MVP was built on buses, tested with conversations."
What inspired you to start your own business?
Growing up, I spent most of my summer breaks in a small village called Arag, at my maternal uncle’s clothing store. He introduced me to every department of the business and gave me a real-world understanding of how things work. That early exposure sparked my interest in entrepreneurship.
How did you turn your idea into a business?
This started right after I completed my 12th grade and had some free time. After trying to prepare for various competitive exams myself, I realized there was a lack of the right tools and support.
That’s when I decided to solve the problem through technology. I wasn’t the most tech-savvy, so I teamed up with my cousin—an IIT Delhi graduate who had been working in tech. Having experienced the same challenges as a student, he understood both the problem and how we could build a solution.
While he handled the heavy lifting of building the platform, I supported on the tech side and focused on validating the idea. By mid-November, our first MVP was ready.
To test it, I personally gave demos to 10–15 students every day, often while travelling on public transport. We collected feedback through direct conversations and Google Forms, offering free access to many users.
It took us around two weeks to validate the MVP and find product-market fit.
How did you get your first customers?
We focused heavily on the B2B side, which helped us make a broader impact by engaging both teachers and students.
We offered free trials to several institutes and used their feedback to improve the product continuously.
How are you funding your startup?
We’re completely bootstrapped. We are planning to look for seed funding.
How are you doing today and what are your future plans?
In a short time, we’ve built a solid customer base and plan to grow steadily. A major milestone was being selected among the top 100 student-led startups in India at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, the country’s largest government-sponsored startup event.
Attending the three-day event in Delhi was a life-changing experience - we got to interact with brilliant minds, explore emerging tech, and receive valuable mentorship. It gave us direction and boosted our credibility, which helped us onboard our initial customers.
Now, we’re planning to raise funds to invest in technology, build a strong team, and expand across India.
What advice would you give to budding founders?
You won’t have all the skills or resources at the beginning, but start anyway. Learn on the go.
The earlier you begin and the more you fail, the faster you’ll grow. Each failure teaches something vital.
Are you currently hiring?
Not right now we’re a lean two-person team. But we might expand in the near future.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about entrepreneurship?
How important it is to learn and adapt quickly. Things change fast, and the ability to evolve on short notice is something you should master.
What’s your proudest achievement so far?
It has to be Startup Mahakumbh. Having people twice my age and some of the nation’s leading figures acknowledge my efforts was incredibly motivating and humbling.
What role has your family or support system played?
At first, they were skeptical and didn’t fully support the idea. But over time, as they saw the progress, they’ve become more accepting and encouraging.
Where can we find you?
You can find me on Instagram at @Param4.0 would love to connect!
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