No more chalk talk
Strap: Forget blackboards — these Bangalore startups are coding, gamifying, and job-proofing the future of learning
Byline: Bhuvana Shridhar
City’s ed-tech mavericks are schooling the system — and doing it their own way. In a city that runs on code and coffee, a fresh breed of startups is reimagining how India learns. Whether it’s teaching Braille with gamified tech, turning kids into storytellers with AI, or fixing the skill gap one job-ready grad at a time — these Bengaluru-born ventures are making big moves.
We met the minds behind Thinkerbell Labs, Story Darpan, and Petluri Edu-Tech — three startups with very different playbooks, but one thing in common: they’re shaking up classrooms, and putting India’s ed-tech on the global map.
Tiny tales, big tech
In a tech-driven city that thrives on code and analytics, Story Darpan is bringing back something timeless — the joy of storytelling. Founded in Bangalore by Anuj Gupta, this ed-tech platform lets children across India explore their imagination with the help of a friendly AI writing companion.
“I looked at the current academic environment and realised it still lacks space for creativity,” says Gupta, recalling how his own school days were devoid of any real outlet for self-expression. Story Darpan was born to change that — a platform where kids could write stories on themes close to their hearts, while AI guided them gently through the process.
The response has been heartening. Hundreds of children are now using the tool, crafting stories on everything from compassion and cleanliness to dinosaurs and dance. “We always believed in theme-based writing,” Gupta adds. “And the range of topics children choose is incredible.”
The venture is co-led by Ritu Gupta, who steers product direction, and Shantanu Deshmukh, who handles marketing and strategy. Together, they’re building not just a writing tool, but a progressive learning path. Powered by Responsible AI, the platform helps children evolve from hesitant beginners to confident writers.
“Our goal is to tie up with schools and prove that AI can be a powerful tool when used ethically,” says Gupta. The roadmap is clear — nurture creativity, foster language skills, and show the world that tech can inspire, not just instruct.
Shark Tank’s star learner: Annie
What started as a college project has now turned into one of the most powerful forces in assistive tech — and it’s coming straight out of Bangalore.
Thinkerbell Labs, co-founded by four engineering students from BITS Pilani, was born out of one sharp observation: while sighted children had access to smart classrooms and digital tools, visually impaired students were still stuck with outdated, manual braille methods.
“We realised the gap was huge,” says Aman Srivastava, Co-Founder and COO. “So, we spent time with blind schools in Hyderabad, learnt braille ourselves, and started building solutions from scratch.”
Their solution? Annie — the world’s first self-learning, remote-enabled braille literacy device. Today, Annie is used in over 260 centres across India and in eight countries worldwide.
It’s gamified, accessible, and built for scale — and it even caught the eye of Shark Tank India’s biggest names, earning the largest investment of Season One.
But Srivastava and team aren’t stopping there. In Phase 2, Thinkerbell is launching affordable refreshable braille displays and Helios 2.0, an AI-powered platform that can personalise learning, offer insights to educators, and track progress in real time.
Phase 3? A bold move into tools for neurodiverse learners and multi-disability education — all while staying EBIT positive and globally relevant.
“Accessible education shouldn’t lag behind innovation. We’re proving it can lead the way,” Srivastava says.
Where courses meet careers
Degrees don’t always guarantee jobs — and that’s exactly what Petluri Edu-Tech is out to fix. Founded by Dr. Ravikiran Petluri and led by dynamic entrepreneur Prameela R, this Bangalore-based ed-tech startup is rewriting the rulebook with one goal: to turn students into job-ready professionals.
“We’ve upskilled thousands of professionals across domains to help them land their dream jobs,” says Dr. Petluri. But the real muscle behind the mission, insiders say, is Prameela — a communication expert with over a decade of experience and a passion for youth empowerment.
“At Petluri Edu-Tech, we’re not just offering courses,” Prameela explains. “We’re building a career-shaping ecosystem. While students may graduate with degrees, most lack the soft skills, confidence, and project experience needed in the real world. That’s the gap we’re bridging.”
Their courses combine academic grounding with industry-recognised certifications, live projects, and mentorship. And they’re not stopping there — the team is rolling out hybrid learning, micro-certifications, and global curriculum collaborations to stay ahead of the curve.
Backed by affiliations with ISO, MSME, Skill India, and Startup India, Petluri Edu-Tech is working closely with colleges across Bangalore to align education with actual corporate expectations.
“Our vision is to turn Bangalore into a national hub for skill-integrated, outcome-based learning,” says Prameela. “We want to produce not just graduates — but leaders, thinkers, and doers ready to take on tomorrow.”