BrightCHAMPS, a global live-learning ed-tech platform that provides next-gen life skills to young kids has appointed Kartik Sharma, Founder of DcodeAI and an internationally-renowned author of Essentials of Artificial Intelligence as Director of Curriculum and Learning Experiences. In this role, Sharma has been tasked with upgrading and augmenting the curriculum and transforming the learning experiences globally across all four BrightCHAMPS verticals - technology skills, robotics (STEM), financial literacy, and communication skills - into a more democratic, inclusive and holistic one. Kartik will also be building the AI learning vertical for the company.
In the immediate future, Sharma will be looking to adapt the curriculum at BrightCHAMPS for different countries and geographies - aligning them with the local cultures, practices, academic standards and guidelines. In addition to this, he will also add a layer of child and behavioural psychology to it, whilst aiming to make the entire learning experience more enriching and holistic.
Sharma’s work at BrightCHAMPS will be ultimately driven by the larger mission to democratise learning - to make it more inclusive in nature, such that kids who have special learning needs and even those who come from not-so-privileged backgrounds, too, can access it and make the most of this opportunity.
The high-profile appointment comes on the back of several ambitious expansion and growth-related announcements from the company. In the last two months, BrightCHAMPS has announced a $100mn acquisition corpus, acquired Singapore-based communications and English live-learning platform Schola and is eyeing several more from around the world, particularly in South East Asia and the US.
Speaking of the appointment, BrightCHAMPS Founder and CEO, Ravi Bhushan, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Kartik to our BrightBrightCHAMPS Founder and CEO, Ravi Bhushan, said of the appointmentCHAMPS family! Curriculum and Learning are at the heart of any educational company, and at BrightCHAMPS, we’re always working towards strengthening them. I am certain that with Kartik’s rich and unique experience - having worked not only across multiple geographies but also varied sectors - we will be able to provide our kids with the best, most interactive and most immersive learning experiences in the world. His expertise in AI will help us double down on the ever-evolving technologies and seamlessly integrate them into our many verticals.”
Sharma has over 15 years of experience building disruptive technology products and most product teams. He is a seasoned AI practitioner with experience leveraging Machine Learning while working with leading organisations across the globe, including Nestle, Deloitte, Hitachi, Bharti Airtel, ITC, MTN, Vimpelcom, Dialog (Axiata Group) and Macquarie Bank.
He also has previous experience of working in educational policy-level initiatives and is a mentor with Atal Innovation Mission for the Government of India and has been a guest lecturer/mentor in various academic and training institutes across the world such as IITs, ISTD, NIPM, SHRM, IIM, LSBU London, IMT, VIPS, DSB etc. He has also done an AI maturity assessment of for the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) in UAE.
Elaborating on the company’s vision and his place in it, Sharma said, “I have been actively teaching AI in communities such as Dr Kiran Bedi's Navjyoti Foundation with the vision of democratising digital skills learning. In my opinion, the larger impact and vision could be achieved with an organisation such as BrightCHAMPS with common core shared values of making a real impact and delivering superior learning outcomes inclusively to ensure that today’s learners are well-versed in future skills such as AI, IoT, Metaverse and Blockchain. I am excited to be a part of BrightCHAMPS so that together, we can realise our mission to skill and upskill the children of today and to make them future-ready, such that they can make the most of the opportunities that come their way 8-10 years from now. I also look forward to spearheading the BrightCHAMPS Foundation and the BrightCHAMPS Global Curriculum Advisory Board, with stakeholders from across industries, academia and policy-making, which will help us design the world’s most impactful next-gen skills curriculum for kids.”
About BrightCHAMPS:
BrightCHAMPS is a global edtech company poised to deliver access to real learning skills to students around the world. The company aims to bridge the gap between school education and children’s real learning needs. It aims to empower students to be technologically, financially, and socially competent by leveraging Invisible Learning to nurture the inner potential of every child. BrightCHAMPS’ methodology relies on play-based learning, and includes features like customised learning journeys, quizzing and parental dashboards.
BrightCHAMPS was founded in 2020 by Ravi Bhushan, an IIT-Varanasi graduate, who has previously scaled two startups, including Housing.com in its heyday, to growth stage businesses. The company boasts astonishing completion rates of over 90%, and renewals that exceed 80% while maintaining an NPS of well over 70.
BrightCHAMPS is currently operational in 30+ countries, including the US, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nigeria, and many others. It is valued at nearly $650 million with a $63 million investment from marquee names across geographies such as US-based GSV Ventures, Singapore-based BEENEXT, Premji Invest and Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal-backed 021 Capital from India.