Hyderabad-based B2B edtech startup byteXL has raised $9 million (about ₹86.7 crore) in a funding round led by Elevar Equity, with participation from Kalaari Capital and The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The capital will be used to expand byteXL’s college network, enhance its technology and AI learning platform, and introduce industry-aligned skilling programmes. The startup plans to grow its reach from 40 to 120 institutions and increase student access from 200,000 to 500,000 across 15 states over the next two years, according to inc42.com.
Founded in 2019 by brothers Karun and Sricharan Tadepalli, byteXL partners with engineering colleges, especially in Tier II and III cities, to embed industry-relevant technology and AI training into regular coursework. Its B2B model integrates curriculum, hands-on learning, technology platforms, and trained educators within the college system. The company reported that 7,600 of its graduates secured IT and engineering jobs last year. This latest funding round follows a $5.9 million Series A in July 2024 led by Kalaari Capital, with participation from the Dell Foundation, inc42.com stated.
byteXL operates in the broader skilling and employability segment alongside companies such as Emversity, Seekho.ai, SmartBridge, iNurture, Board Infinity, and Imarticus Learning. The fresh capital injection comes amid a prolonged funding slowdown and consolidation in the edtech and skilling sectors. The startup’s focus on Tier II and III cities and its integration of AI into engineering education align with growing demand for industry-relevant skills in India’s technology workforce, per inc42.com.
byteXL aims to strengthen its institutional partnership teams to support the planned expansion. The company’s goal is to reach 500,000 students across 120 colleges in 15 states within two years, a significant scale-up from its current footprint of 40 institutions and 200,000 students, inc42.com reported.