At 21, Priyanka Edupuganti is redefining education with Innovate Classrooms, an edtech platform bringing skill-based, future-ready learning to all. A Manipal economics grad, she's also the founder of wellness brand Harvest and author of The Balance Within. Her mission: to make quality education a right, not a privilege, through empathy, innovation, and bold action.
At just 21, Priyanka Edupuganti is doing what many only dream of—redefining the future of education in India and beyond. The economics graduate from the University of Manipal is the founder of not one but two mission-driven companies: Innovate Classrooms Private Limited, a groundbreaking edtech venture, and Harvest, a wellness brand offering gut-friendly, prebiotic sodas. If that’s not enough, she’s also a published author of The Balance Within, a guidebook for personal transformation, and a passionate advocate for animal rights and social equity.
But it’s Innovate Classrooms, her flagship venture, that truly represents her boldest vision yet—a movement to bring future-ready, skill-based learning to every student, regardless of their background. “India has some of the brightest minds,” she says, “but outdated educational methods and unequal access are holding them back.”
The idea behind Innovate Classrooms wasn’t born in a boardroom—it came from first-hand observation and a deep desire to give back. While volunteering with organizations like Blue Cross, PETA, and Goonj, Priyanka noticed a critical gap in India’s education system: a lack of access to future-focused skill development, especially in under-resourced communities.
“In rural areas, education still leans heavily on rote memorization. There’s little space for confidence-building, real-world learning, or technology integration,” she explains. Recognizing this imbalance, Priyanka founded Innovate Classrooms to answer one powerful question: How can we prepare every child—not just a privileged few—for the demands of the 21st century?
Innovate Classrooms stands apart by offering more than just online learning modules. It’s a holistic educational platform built to serve not just students, but parents and teachers too. The offerings are robust:
Animated Skill Development Videos to teach life skills in a fun, engaging format
AI-Driven Personalized Learning Paths tailored to each student’s pace and needs
Teacher Training Modules to empower educators with modern methodologies
Gamified Learning that makes education enjoyable and interactive
Monthly Parent Reports to keep families involved in the student’s growth
NLP-Based Doubt Resolution Tools for instant support
Adaptive Learning Systems that evolve with the learner
What truly makes Innovate Classrooms exceptional is its inclusive and empathetic approach. “We’re not just teaching subjects,” Priyanka says. “We’re equipping students with lifelong competencies—confidence, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence—that traditional curricula often neglect.”
Building a startup in India’s saturated and complex edtech market is no easy feat. “The Indian education system is deeply rooted in tradition. Earning trust takes time—especially as a young founder,” Priyanka admits. The diversity in regional mindsets, tech accessibility, and school infrastructure meant no one-size-fits-all solution.
To overcome this, Priyanka leaned on continuous iteration and feedback, taking cues from parents, students, and teachers. “It was all about listening, adapting, and staying committed to our core values,” she says.
Team-building was another uphill battle. “You need a team that not only understands the vision but can also match the pace of a high-impact, early-stage startup.” Her leadership style—rooted in resilience, empathy, and strategic adaptability—was key to aligning the organization around its mission.
While many founders wait for the press-worthy milestone, Priyanka sees value in the quiet victories. “Every day you show up, make a call, revise a lesson plan—it’s all a breakthrough,” she says.
That said, one major leap for Innovate Classrooms came within its first year, when the company moved from concept to a fully operational, pilot-tested platform—no small feat in a market where even the biggest players often falter. It was a sign that their unique blend of technology, empathy, and purpose could work.
Ask Priyanka about the next five years, and she lights up. “We’re not just building an edtech company—we’re rewriting the story of education,” she says.
By 2030, Innovate Classrooms plans to:
Partner with 500+ private schools and 12+ Indian state governments
Expand to 5 APAC and 5 global markets
Collaborate with 100+ corporates and NGOs for skill-building programs
Reach over 10 million students and train 1 million teachers
Launch a nonprofit arm to offer free digital education to underserved communities
Introduce AI-based virtual teaching assistants, blockchain-powered credentialing, and metaverse-driven classrooms
This isn’t just scale for the sake of scale—it’s mission-driven growth. “We believe education should be a fundamental right, not a privilege. And we’re building systems to make that belief a global reality,” Priyanka says.
Beyond Innovate Classrooms, Priyanka continues to champion personal development and wellness through her brand Harvest, and her book The Balance Within. Her voice—calm yet passionate—echoes across sectors as a Women in Tech member, a WEF SME contributor, and a mentor for social impact entrepreneurs through ISB’s iVenture program.
Her message to aspiring founders? “Start where you are, with what you have. Vision matters more than perfection. Your future self will thank you for the effort you put in today.”
Whether you're an educator, a parent, a policymaker, or an aspiring changemaker, Priyanka invites you to be part of the Innovate Classrooms movement.
🔗 Website: Priyankaedupuganti.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Priyanka Edupuganti
📷 Instagram: @priyanka.edupuganti444
📩 Email: priyankaedupuganti444@gmail.com
Swastik is a seasoned Media and Marketing Expert with a strong background in digital strategy, branding, and content creation. With a passion for innovative marketing solutions, he helps businesses build their presence, engage audiences, and drive growth. His expertise spans across various industries, ensuring effective campaigns that resonate with target markets.
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