📰 FRONTPAGE

Welcome to the fifteenth issue of Chronicles, your passport to the world of beyond profit: exploring the intersection of Business and Social Impact. This month, we're introducing a new format: the first issue of the month will explore the latest happenings in social impact, while the second issue will feature in-depth interviews and thought-provoking opinion pieces from industry experts.

In this fortnight’s rundown:
🎙️ Interview with Aman Patel, Founder & CEO of PLAT Exam

🎙️INTERVIEW

Bridging Gaps: A Conversation with Aman Patel on Revolutionizing Education in Rural India

The PLAT Exam Pvt. Ltd. is an Ed-Tech startup founded by Aman Patel in 2022 with a mission to revolutionize education, particularly in underdeveloped areas by levelling the playing field for aspiring students in the said area. They achieve this by collaborating with schools for coaching, free mentorship of promising students, and awareness programs for competitive exams like JEE & NEET. With a team of over 50 members, including alumni from IITs & NITs, the PLAT Exam operates in more than 25 districts across India, transforming how students prepare for their future. 

PLAT Exam is an alumnus of the PITCH-IT program & won the 2^nd  edition of the program.

1. What inspired you to address this specific challenge? 

We identified a significant gap in access to quality exam preparation resources in rural and underdeveloped areas, where many talented students lack the guidance and support needed to compete in exams like JEE and NEET. This inspired me to start the PLAT Exam, to make affordable, high-quality mentorship and educational content for these students, empowering them to unlock their potential and pursue their academic dreams.

2. Can you share your experience of building your team? 

In building the PLAT Exam team, I focused on hiring students from MANIT Bhopal (Aman is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Engineering at NIT Bhopal & the PLAT Exam is incubated in the incubation centre of the college), especially those from a rural background. These team members have firsthand experience with the challenges faced thereby building a passionate team dedicated to making a real difference.

3. How do you and your team effectively manage both academic responsibilities and the demands of running a startup? 

Balancing academics and running the PLAT Exam requires effective time management. Clear communication, delegation, and prioritizing tasks are key to handling both responsibilities efficiently. We conduct awareness, mentorship & coaching sessions on Saturdays and academic breaks. Additionally, we hold sessions after 5 PM  if needed, ensuring they fit around our daily academic commitments. This structured approach allows us to maintain focus on both our studies and the growth of the startup.

4. Which digital tools have been valuable in managing the startup? 

Here are the digital tools we use at PLAT Exam:

i- Trello: Project management.
ii- Google Workspace: Collaboration, document management, & communication.
iii- Adobe Premiere Pro, Canva & Filmora: Creating promotional materials.
iv- WhatsApp & Zoom: Outreach & virtual sessions.
v- Slack: Internal communication.

5. How do you maintain the balance between the mission and the financial sustainability of the startup? 

Maintaining a balance between our commitment to affordable education and financial sustainability involves a well-thought-out revenue model. Here’s how we achieve it:

i- Low-Cost Exams: We charge just ₹50 for our exams, ensuring affordability for students.
ii- School Collaborations: We partner with schools to deliver educational content, generating revenue that helps offset our operational costs and support our low-cost exam initiative.
iii- Mentorship Programs: The top 50 students from our exams receive free mentorship, supported by our revenue from school partnerships.
iv- Grants and Sponsorships: We seek grants and funding from organizations and educational institutions to supplement our revenue and ensure we can continue offering affordable services.

This model allows us to provide quality education at a low cost while ensuring the financial health of our startup.

6. What are your long-term plans for the future of the PLAT Exam? 

i- Expansion: Extend our reach to more districts across India and explore international opportunities.
ii- Partnerships: Form strategic partnerships with schools and educational institutions to broaden our impact.
iii- Technology Integration: Utilize AI and data analytics to personalize learning and improve exam preparation to make it interactive.
iv- Sustainability: Secure funding through grants, sponsorships & investment to ensure long-term growth and stability.

These initiatives aim to advance our mission of making quality education accessible while ensuring sustainable growth.