Unacademy Founders Transition to AirLearn: Strategic Shift as Sumit Jain Takes Offline Role, Says Gaurav Munjal

In a significant development for the edtech sector, Unacademy founders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are stepping back from their operational roles at the company to focus on a new venture, AirLearn, a language learning platform. This strategic move comes as part of a broader leadership transition within Unacademy, with Sumit Jain, previously associated with Graphy (acquired by Unacademy), stepping into a key offline role.

In an email to employees, Gaurav Munjal addressed speculations surrounding potential layoffs and emphasized that the shift is a deliberate strategy to align with the company's long-term vision. He clarified that the decision to focus on AirLearn and restructure leadership was made after extensive discussions with the board over the past year.

The transition also reflects Unacademy's pivot from its core online test preparation model to an increased focus on offline coaching centers. Munjal's lack of interest in managing an operations-heavy offline business reportedly contributed to this leadership change, paving the way for Sumit Jain's elevation to a more prominent role.

This reshuffle has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders, with some investors expressing concern over the founders' exit from day-to-day operations after raising significant capital. However, Munjal reassured employees that the move is aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and innovation through ventures like AirLearn.

Unacademy, once a leading player in online education, is now navigating a challenging landscape with this strategic reset. The focus on offline centers and new platforms indicates a broader effort to diversify its offerings amid evolving market dynamics and competition in the edtech industry.

As the company moves forward, all eyes will be on how Sumit Jain steers Unacademy's offline initiatives and whether AirLearn can carve a niche in the competitive language learning space. This transition marks a new chapter for both Unacademy and its founders, with potential implications for the future of edtech in India.