
Unacademy, operated by Sorting Hat Technologies, is a Bangalore-based online learning platform offering live and recorded classes for competitive exam preparation (UPSC, JEE, NEET, CAT, banking, SSC, state PSCs) as well as K-12, upskilling, and professional courses. Originally launched as a YouTube channel in 2010 by Gaurav Munjal and incorporated in 2015 with co-founders Roman Saini and Hemesh Singh, the company scaled rapidly to become one of India's largest edtech unicorns, reaching a peak valuation of $3.44B in 2021 after a $440M Series H led by Temasek. Following the post-pandemic edtech reset, Unacademy pivoted to offline coaching centers, executed multiple rounds of layoffs, and saw its valuation fall by more than 90%. In March 2026 it agreed to be acquired by upGrad in an all-share deal valuing the company at under $500M; an earlier deal collapsed in January 2026 over valuation disputes before a revised term sheet was signed.
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
2015
Employees
1,001–5,000
Total Funding
$875.9M
12 rounds
Latest Valuation
$3.44B
Aug 1, 2021
upGrad deal implies ~90% valuation cut for Unacademy, from $3.44B (2021) to ~$218M (2026)
Marks peak-era secondary/liquidity expectations down sharply; any pre-existing bid/ask color is now stale
Co-founder Sumit Jain to step down as Unacademy test-prep CEO by 2026-06-30 ahead of upGrad merger
Signals continued leadership churn ahead of deal close; founding bench further thinned
upGrad signs term sheet to acquire Unacademy in all-stock deal, CCI cleared 2026-07-07 at ~$218M
Confirms severe valuation reset; near-term liquidity path is the acquisition itself, not open secondary market
Announced Rs50 crore ESOP buyback to give current and former employees a cash liquidity route
Employee cash exit offered despite valuation sitting well below last priced round
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Rounds in grey italics are unconfirmed.
Total raised $875.9M across 12 rounds
Last updated 08-18-2026
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | M&A talks / down-round TechCrunch | Not disclosed | $0.5B | Not named in rumor coverage |
| Aug 2021 | Series H TechCrunch | $440M | $3.44B | Temasek |
| Jan 13, 2021 | Secondary share purchase | $50M | — | Tiger Global |
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Entry · Series E
$510M
Feb 2020
Unacademy today
$3.4B
Aug 2021 · latest mark
Unacademy multiple
6.7x
valuation uplift since first round
Y-axis is logarithmic. Hollow dots = estimated valuations. Does not represent realized investor returns.
Gaurav Munjal
Co-Founder & CEO
Sumit Jain
Co-Founder; CEO until 2026-06-30, now advisor
Roman Saini
Co-Founder
Hemesh Singh
Co-Founder (departed 2024)
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
PhysicsWallah
Bootstrapped Indian edtech unicorn focused on affordable JEE/NEET test prep with a hybrid online-offline model; widely seen as Unacademy's most disruptive competitor.
BYJU'S
Bangalore-based edtech that built a K-12 and test-prep empire (incl. Aakash Educational Services) before facing severe insolvency proceedings and a collapse from its $22B peak valuation.
Vedantu
Live-class focused Indian edtech competing with Unacademy in K-12 and competitive exam tutoring with personalized one-on-one and group classes.
upGrad
Mumbai-based higher-education and upskilling platform; agreed in March 2026 to acquire Unacademy in an all-share deal, making the two competitors-turned-merger-partners.
Aakash Educational Services
Long-established Indian offline test-prep network (now BYJU'S-owned, with ongoing ownership disputes) competing for JEE/NEET coaching market share.
Embibe
Reliance-owned AI-driven personalized learning platform offering K-12 and test-prep content across Indian competitive exams.
No. Unacademy is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Unacademy shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Unacademy will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.
Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Unacademy shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.
Buyers interested in buying Unacademy shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.
The company's latest round valuation was approximately $3.44B as of Aug 1, 2021. The latest round valuation is often used as one reference point in secondary-market pricing, but secondary prices may be above or below that valuation at any given time. Secondary pricing can shift significantly based on post-round conditions, such as changes in company performance, supply-demand dynamics, share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, or broader market shifts. Any implied valuation from a past round should be confirmed with a broker or through live market listings before relying on it.
Unacademy was most recently valued at approximately $3.44B as of Aug 1, 2021. This is a private valuation and may differ from secondary pricing. Secondary shares may trade above or below this mark based on various factors. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy of these valuations. Buyers and sellers should always confirm current valuations before completing any transaction.
Unacademy's valuation has changed over time based on funding rounds, tender offers, secondary-market indications, and other reported or collected valuation marks. Unacademy's valuation moved from approximately $510M as of Feb 2020 to approximately $3.44B as of Aug 2021. This comparison reflects company-level valuation marks and does not represent realized investor returns. Secondary-market prices may differ from these valuations based on share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, supply and demand, company performance, and broader market conditions. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy or completeness of valuation data, and buyers and sellers should confirm current information before relying on it.
Unacademy's latest disclosed funding round was a Series H round in Aug 2021. The round raised approximately $440M at an approximately $3.44B valuation, with Temasek listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete. The latest round valuation should be confirmed before it is used as a pricing reference.
Unacademy has raised approximately $875.9M in disclosed funding across 11 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Unacademy's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.
Unacademy's disclosed investors include Temasek, Tiger Global, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, General Atlantic, Steadview Capital and Sequoia Capital India. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Unacademy's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.
Unacademy's most-cited competitors include PhysicsWallah, BYJU'S, Vedantu, upGrad, Aakash Educational Services and Embibe. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.
Secondary-market demand for Unacademy shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.
Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.
Yes, current and former Unacademy employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.
A Unacademy secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Unacademy through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Unacademy or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.
In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.
Buying Unacademy shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.
Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.
SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Before buying Unacademy shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.
SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.
Access live market data
Sign UpData collected with AI, which can make mistakes. Please double-check this information.