Driven by a passion for improving education in rural areas, they sought to create a social enterprise that provides affordable quality education to students and comprehensive training for teachers in villages.
Brand Overview
Cograd is a social startup dedicated to transforming rural education in India.
Their primary approach involves renting closed schools and converting them into modern learning centers.
In addition to providing quality education to students from Class 1 to 8, Cograd also focuses on training teachers through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) alumni network.
Their mission is to bring equal learning opportunities to rural students, enabling them to compete with their urban counterparts.
Shark Tank India Appearance & Ask
During their appearance on Shark Tank India Season 4, Himanshu Chaurasia and Saurabh Yadav presented Cograd to the Sharks, seeking an investment of ₹1 crore in exchange for 2% equity.
They showcased their five existing schools, highlighted their students’ achievements, and articulated their vision of scaling to 1,000 schools across rural India.
Season and Episode Air Date
Season: 04
Episode: 38
Episode Air Date: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
Product Overview
Cograd operates modern learning centers in rural areas by renting and transforming closed schools.
These centers cater to students from Class 1 to 8, providing them with quality education and opportunities to participate in competitions and conclaves at prestigious Indian universities.
They also hire teachers through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) alumni network, focusing their training primarily in the non-scalable part of the business, which is skill training and teacher training.
Investor Reactions
The Sharks had mixed reactions to Cograd’s pitch. Anupam Mittal and Kunal Bahl expressed concerns about the founders’ lack of focus and the non-scalable nature of their revenue streams.
However, Vineeta Singh was deeply moved by their cause and shared a personal story emphasizing the transformative power of education.
Ritesh Agarwal and Namita Thapar also saw potential in Cograd’s mission and joined Vineeta in making a collaborative offer.
Customer Engagement Philosophy
Cograd aims to transform rural education by providing quality, affordable education and empowering students to compete with their urban counterparts.
They believe that all children are capable of success.
To that end, they take their mission seriously and are selective with hiring. They utilize the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) alumni network.
Product Highlights
Affordable, quality education for students in rural areas
Modern learning centers created by transforming closed schools
A strong focus on teacher training and development
Student participation in competitions and conclaves at prestigious universities
Future Vision
With the secured investment and mentorship from Ritesh Agarwal, Vineeta Singh, and Namita Thapar, Cograd plans to focus entirely on expanding its network of schools and providing quality education to more students in rural India.
The founders aim to streamline their operations, improve their financial sustainability, and establish Cograd as a leading force in transforming rural education. The goal is to create state-of-the-art learning centers with equal opportunities for all kids.
Deal Finalized or Not
After facing scrutiny regarding its revenue model and focus, Cograd secured a deal of ₹50 lakhs for 6% equity plus ₹50 lakhs in debt at a 9% interest rate for three years.
The deal was finalized with Sharks Ritesh Agarwal, Vineeta Singh, and Namita Thapar. A condition for this deal was that Cograd must focus solely on schooling and not other ventures.
Cograd Shark Tank India Review Website Data
Category
Details
Website Information
Website
Cograd
Built on
JavaScript frameworks – React, React Router 6
SEO Performance
Poor (Needs Improvement)
Organic Traffic
0 visitors per month
Founders
Names
Himanshu Chaurasia, Saurabh Yadav
Background
IIT and NIT alumni
Founded Year
2021
Mission
Improve rural education in India
Approach
Renting closed schools and converting them into modern learning centers
Brand Overview
Type
Social Startup
Focus
Quality education for rural students (Class 1-8)
Teacher Training
Through Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) alumni network
Goal
Equal learning opportunities for rural students
Shark Tank India Appearance & Ask
Season
4
Episode
38
Air Date
26 February 2025
Investment Ask
₹1 crore for 2% equity
Pitch Highlights
Showcased 5 existing schools and vision to scale to 1,000 schools
Product Overview
Business Model
Renting and transforming closed schools into modern learning centers
Student Focus
Class 1-8 students
Key Benefits
Quality education, participation in competitions, teacher training
Hiring & Training
JNV alumni network
Investor Reactions
Positive Feedback
Vineeta Singh, Ritesh Agarwal, Namita Thapar supported the cause
Concerns Raised
Anupam Mittal & Kunal Bahl questioned scalability & revenue model
Deal Finalized
Deal Amount
₹50 lakhs for 6% equity + ₹50 lakhs debt at 9% interest for 3 years
Investors
Ritesh Agarwal, Vineeta Singh, Namita Thapar
Condition
Focus solely on schooling
Business Potential in India
Education Market Size
$117 billion in FY23, projected to reach $340 billion by FY32 (CAGR: 11.63%)
Rural Education Opportunity
65% of India’s population resides in rural areas
Government Support
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promoting rural education
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
Target Audience
Rural students (Class 1-8) & teachers seeking training
Market Segmentation
Rural households, schools needing training, NGOs
Ideal Target Audience & Demographics
Students
Age
6-14 years
Location
Rural India (low literacy states)
Income Level
Low-income families
Parental Education
Limited or no formal education
Teachers
Age
22-40 years
Education
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Employment
Government & private rural schools
Marketing Strategy
Brand Positioning
“Cograd: Empowering Rural India through Affordable, Quality Education”
Content Strategy
Success stories, teacher testimonials, community engagement
Teacher training programs for better education quality
Strong IIT & NIT alumni leadership
Shark Tank funding & mentorship
Challenges Faced
Limited resources in rural schools
Infrastructure transformation costs
Logistics & supply chain issues
Financial sustainability in low-income markets
Reasons for Success & Mitigation Strategies
Success Factors
High demand, government support, social impact commitment
Mitigation Strategies
Financial sustainability, operational efficiency, community engagement, digital infrastructure
Future Roadmap & Valuation Plan
Short-Term (1 Year)
Increase brand awareness, improve local infrastructure, set financial goals
Mid-Term (2 Years)
Build credibility, partnerships, 30% increase in student enrollments
Long-Term (5 Years)
Expand into multiple rural communities, hire professionals, achieve ₹100 Cr valuation
Cograd Shark Tank India Business Plan
Business Potential in India
Market Size: The Indian education sector is one of the largest globally, estimated at $117 billion in FY23 and projected to reach $340 billion by FY32, growing at a CAGR of 11.63%.
Rural Education Market: While specific data on the rural education market alone is scarce, it represents a significant untapped opportunity, as over 65% of India’s population resides in rural areas.
Affordable Education: The demand for affordable, quality education is high, particularly in rural areas where access to quality schooling is limited.
Government Initiatives: Government initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are focused on improving the quality of education and making it accessible to all, including those in rural areas.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
Target Market: The TAM for Cograd includes students from economically disadvantaged families in rural areas, as well as teachers seeking professional development opportunities.
Market Segmentation:
Rural households with school-age children (Class 1 to 8)
Government and private schools in rural areas seeking teacher training programs
NGOs and organizations focused on rural development
Ideal Target Audience & Demographics
Students:
Age: 6-14 years
Location: Rural areas in India, particularly in states with low literacy rates.
Family Income: Below the poverty line or from low-income households.
Parental Education: Parents with limited or no formal education.
Teachers:
Age: 22-40 years
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in education.
Location: Rural areas in India.
Employment: Working in government or private schools with limited resources for professional development.
Marketing Strategy
Brand Positioning: Cograd: Empowering Rural India through Affordable, Quality Education.
Content Strategy:
Success Stories: Share inspiring stories of students who have benefited from Cograd’s education programs.
Teacher Testimonials: Showcase the impact of Cograd’s training programs on teacher effectiveness.
Community Engagement: Highlight Cograd’s commitment to the communities it serves.
Digital Marketing Strategy:
SEO Optimization: Improve website visibility by targeting keywords related to rural education, affordable schooling, and teacher training (Current Organic Traffic: 0 visitors per month).
Social Media Marketing:
Facebook: Engage with local communities and share updates about Cograd’s activities.
YouTube: Create videos showcasing Cograd’s schools, student achievements, and teacher training programs.
Partnerships: Collaborate with local NGOs, community leaders, and government officials to promote Cograd’s services.
Distribution Strategy
School Network Expansion: Focus on expanding the network of Cograd schools by renting and transforming closed schools in rural areas.
Community Outreach: Build relationships with local communities and gain their support for Cograd’s mission.
Teacher Training Programs: Offer training programs to teachers in government and private schools.
Mobile Learning Centers: Explore the possibility of mobile learning centers to reach remote and underserved communities.
Advantages
Focus on Rural Education: This addresses a critical need in India.
Affordable Pricing: This makes quality education accessible to low-income families.
Teacher Training Programs: Enhances the quality of education in rural schools.
Experienced Team: IIT and NIT alumni bring a strong understanding of education and technology.
Shark Tank Funding: Provides capital and mentorship from successful entrepreneurs.
Challenges Faced
Limited Resources: Rural schools often lack resources.
Infrastructure: Converting infrastructure for better education.
Logistics: Supply chain disruptions can impact business.
Sustainability: Maintaining financial viability in a low-income market.
Reasons for Potential Success & Mitigation Strategies
Success Factors:
Growing demand for quality education in rural areas.
Government support for rural development.
Commitment of the founders to social impact.
Mitigation Strategies:
Financial sustainability: Focus on developing sustainable revenue models through community.
Operational Efficiency: Streamline operations and minimize overhead costs.
Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with local communities.
Digital Infrastructure: Use digital infrastructure to implement the process better.
Future Business Roadmap & Valuation Increase Plan
Short-Term Goals (Next Year):
Increase brand awareness in local rural communities
Improve local infrastructure and operations by partnering with local suppliers.
Set financial goals for the business by the end of the year.
Mid-Term Goals (Next Two Years):
Establish partnerships with local stakeholders to increase credibility.
Improve brand image and increase business awareness through partnerships and collaborations.
Increase student enrolments by 30% through marketing strategy and local events.
Long-Term Goals (Next Five Years):
Continue to build partnerships and expand educational institutes into multiple rural communities.
Hire experienced professionals to grow the business.
Increase brand valuation to ₹100 Cr
By implementing these strategies, Cograd can leverage its unique model, experienced team, and growing market to achieve its vision and become a leading force in improving education in rural India. The key will be to focus on sustainability, community engagement, and providing quality education that empowers students to succeed.
Cograd Shark Tank India Episode Review