BITS Pilani Grads’ Startup bluelearn to Shut Down, Return 70% Capital

In the startup world, where dreams meet determination, the path is often paved with unforeseen challenges. Now, one such startup is facing the difficult decision to close its doors.

Meet Harish Uthayakumar, a BITS Pilani grad and co-founder at bluelearn recently announced on LinkedIn that bluelearn is shutting down and returning 70% of the capital we raised back to investors.

In the LinkedIn post, he wrote,  "We have made the hard decision to shut down bluelearn and return 70% of the capital we raised back to investors."

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/harish-uthayakumar_we-have-made-the-hard-decision-to-shut-down-activity-7220708365159608320-2DNQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

bluelearn Genesis

Founded in 2021 by BITS Pilani alumni Sancheti and Harish Uthayakumar, BlueLearn started as a community on Telegram where students shared doubts with experts. The community on its own app has now expanded to 250,000 members from over 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

"Our mission was to create an online university that levelled the playing field and allowed students studying in tier-2,3 colleges to access opportunities to learn, network, earn and get exposure similar to students at a BITS or an IIT", Harish added.

bluelearn Total Funding

The Bengaluru-based startup raised ~$4Mn in funding from incredible VCs like 100X, Titan, Elevation, Lightspeed, and Angels. 

In the following three years, the company helped 1000s of students get internships and land jobs, start their own startups, find co-founders, make friends on the internet, and build a wholesome community. 
 
Like many startups, BlueLearn faced its share of hurdles. The journey was marked by moments of triumph and instances of introspection. 

Harish is very much proud of the team he has built. "My co-founder Shreyans has to be the best thing that happened to me at BITS Goa", he wrote in his LinkedIn post.

Deciding to shut down BlueLearn was not just a business decision but an emotional one. Harish's words reflect the gravity of this choice. The team poured their heart and soul into this project, and this decision marks the end of a significant chapter in their lives.

In his message, Harish extends his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who believed in BlueLearn. The users, supporters, and the team – all played a crucial role in this journey. He acknowledges their contributions with deep appreciation, understanding that BlueLearn's legacy is built on these collective efforts.

While BlueLearn's journey may be concluding, the spirit of innovation that fueled it continues to burn brightly within Harish and his team. The lessons learned and experiences gained from this venture will undoubtedly shape their future endeavours. Harish poignantly notes that every ending is a new beginning in disguise.