Edtech giant Physics Wallah (PW) has announced the launch of the PW School of Startups (SOS) under its PW Foundation. This move underscores its commitment to democratising education across Bharat. This new initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional education and the rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed.
PW SOS offers a platform that includes cost-effective programs, practical training, strategic mentorship, and access to capital. These resources are designed to help transform innovative ideas into successful ventures, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in India.
The launch of PW SOS comes at a crucial time for India’s booming startup ecosystem. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor India Report 2022/23, 75.5% of Indians perceive good business opportunities locally, ranking the country 7th among 49 nations. Additionally, about 78% of Indian youth find it relatively easy to start a business, a factor contributing to India’s status as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. By 2023, Indian startups had created approximately 10 lakh jobs, with nearly half of these ventures emerging from Tier 2 and beyond cities, addressing challenges in sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture.
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Prateek Maheshwari, Co-Founder of Physics Wallah, highlighted the institution’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent. “Through PW SOS, we aim to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with access to mentorship from seasoned startup founders and key figures who have successfully scaled organisations. Additionally, we’ve established a fund of USD 5 million to support at least 100 startups over the next 60 months.”
PW SOS offers three distinct programs—Aarambh, Prarambh, and Hopes Alive—each catering to different stages of the entrepreneurial journey. Aarambh is a 5-day offline program targeting school and college students as well as early professionals, focusing on growth acceleration through resources, networks, and expert guidance. Prarambh, a 5-month offline program, is designed for college students, early professionals, small family business owners, and social impact enthusiasts, with a focus on business model development and budgeting. Hopes Alive is a 5-month hybrid program tailored for seed-funded or bootstrapped startups, providing financial resources, counselling, and valuable connections.
In the coming year, PW SOS plans to enrol 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs in Aarambh and 100 in Prarambh, further strengthening its role in India’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Alakh Pandey, Founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, emphasised the significant potential of startups emerging from Tier 2 and 3 cities in driving India’s economic growth. “These aspiring entrepreneurs possess incredible business ideas but often struggle due to a lack of guidance and a supportive community,” he said.
