In the bustling corridors of Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), Delhi, a second-year student once dreamt of building India’s next big edtech platform.
His startup idea was unconventional—a mentorship ecosystem where final-year students would offer free guidance to juniors, earning credits to unlock tools like resume builders, job finders, and ATS checkers. The model gained early traction in campuses like NSUT and Delhi Technological University (DTU), and with over 5000 users onboarded, the future looked promising.
But dreams can crash hard.
Despite initial popularity and positive VC feedback on traction, the startup stumbled on a crucial front—monetization. The premium membership, which was supposed to be a key revenue driver, barely sold. The founder admits bluntly, “No one bought.”
Over 80 VCs were pitched. Many liked the concept and its traction, but passed on the idea, calling the business model outdated. “Edtech and mentorship platforms are too old for them now,” the founder reflects.
The real sting, however, came in hindsight—when he remembered a piece of advice from Ashneer Grover, former BharatPe founder, which he had once ignored. At a Masters’ Union event, Ashneer reportedly told him:
“India mein Saraswati ko product banake Lakshmi nahi kama sakte.”
(You can’t make money in India by turning knowledge into a product.)
Back then, the student brushed it off as just another controversial line. Today, he wishes he had listened.
The final stats?
➡️ 5000+ users
➡️ 3 premium users (refunded)
➡️ ₹8 lakh lifetime revenue
➡️ Almost no profit.
As he shut down the platform, the founder had some advice of his own:
“Listen to seniors. Study the market. Crack the models. Work in the sector you want to start up in. Learn before you leap.”
His story is a sharp reminder to India’s growing tribe of young entrepreneurs: validation is not traction, and belief is not business.
