UpKraft, a Bengaluru-based edtech startup, has raised ₹1.6 crore in a pre-seed round led by accelerator PedalStart, with participation from angel investors and ecosystem operators. The funds will be used to refine the business model, scale operations, and strengthen its AI-enabled learning platform ahead of larger funding rounds.
Founders, operations and traction
Founded in July 2025 by Tejasvi Singh Kushwah, Varun Mangal and Kritika Varandani, UpKraft’s leadership includes alumni of IIT Kharagpur, ISB Hyderabad and top IIMs, with experience in senior roles at growth-stage firms. The company currently operates in Bengaluru and Gurugram and reports a customer satisfaction score above 4.7.
Community-focused, tech-enabled learning
UpKraft delivers extracurricular classes by placing trained teachers within residential communities, partner schools and students’ homes. The company partners with Resident Welfare Associations to organise group sessions inside apartment complexes, reducing teacher travel and cutting operating costs through community referrals.
Courses focus on music—guitar, piano, drums, violin and vocals—alongside dance and fitness. The curriculum follows a structured pathway, includes a library of over 2,000 songs, and is aligned with Trinity certification standards.
Central to the offering is an AI Practice Companion that provides instant feedback, suggests personalised learning plans and tracks practice sessions. A real-time parent dashboard shows attendance, progress and achievements, while teachers access tools for class management, assignments, automated parent updates and payments.
Use of funds and hiring
The new capital will support student enrolment growth and geographic expansion in Bengaluru and Gurugram over the next 12–18 months. UpKraft is recruiting across AI and data science, product engineering, customer success, tutor onboarding and field marketing.
One open role is Manager – Field Marketing in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, with a salary range of ₹30,000–₹40,000 plus incentives and travel reimbursement. The role involves working with RWAs, organising community events and driving offline brand outreach.
Backer support and operational policies
PedalStart will provide strategic support on business planning, governance, investor introductions and go-to-market strategy. The accelerator cited UpKraft’s community model as a defensible advantage that is hard to replicate.
UpKraft has also formalised class policies: rescheduling requires 24-hour notice via WhatsApp, limited reschedules are allowed, group classes are non-reschedulable, short pauses are permitted for exams or travel, and course-extension windows are defined for three- and six-month programmes.
With rising demand for quality extracurricular learning, UpKraft aims to expand its AI-powered offering and deepen ties with residential communities as it scales across India.
