Alakh Pandey: The EdTech Founder Who Surpassed Shah Rukh Khan’s Wealth

Alakh Pandey, the founder and CEO of the edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah (PW), has become one of the fastest wealth creators in India, with his net worth recently surpassing that of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan. According to the Hurun India Rich List 2025, Pandey’s wealth experienced a phenomenal 223% surge in just a year, reaching ₹14,510 crore. This figure overtook Shah Rukh Khan’s net worth, which stood at ₹12,490 crore.

From YouTube Tutor to Unicorn CEO

Pandey’s journey is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of digital education and entrepreneurship. Hailing from Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, his early life was marked by financial constraints, with his family facing hardships including having to sell their house. To contribute to his family’s income, he began tutoring younger students as early as the ninth grade.

He enrolled in a Mechanical Engineering course at Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur, but his passion for teaching led him to drop out in his third year to focus on his vocation.

The foundation of his success was laid in 2016 when he launched the Physics Wallah YouTube channel. With a mission to make high-quality education accessible and affordable, he began uploading free physics tutorials for competitive exams like JEE and NEET. His engaging, clear, and simple teaching style quickly resonated with students, earning him the moniker “PW Sir.”

The Birth of a Unicorn

In 2020, recognizing the vast demand for structured online learning, Pandey, alongside co-founder Prateek Maheshwari, launched the PhysicsWallah app and website. The platform offered full exam preparation courses at a highly affordable price, often a fraction of the cost of traditional coaching. This commitment to accessibility fueled explosive growth.

In June 2022, PhysicsWallah achieved the coveted unicorn status, becoming India’s first profitable edtech unicorn after securing $102 million in Series A funding at a $1.1 billion valuation.

Financial Momentum and IPO Plans

The recent monumental jump in Alakh Pandey’s net worth reflects the rapidly accelerating valuation of PhysicsWallah. As per the latest reports, the company is valued at approximately $3.7 billion. This wealth is primarily derived from his substantial stake in the company.

PhysicsWallah is now gearing up for a significant financial milestone, preparing to float a ₹3,820 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO), which includes a fresh raise and an Offer For Sale (OFS). This public listing is expected to further solidify the company’s position as one of India’s most valuable listed edtech firms.

Despite the broader edtech sector facing challenges, PhysicsWallah has shown financial resilience. Its consolidated net loss narrowed significantly to ₹243 crore in FY25, down from ₹1,131 crore in the previous fiscal year, while operating revenue saw a sharp rise to ₹2,886 crore. The company has also expanded its ecosystem, operating a multi-channel model that includes online platforms and over 198 physical centers across various cities in India and the Middle East.

Alakh Pandey’s journey from an Allahabad-born YouTube teacher to an entrepreneur whose wealth outstrips a global superstar is a defining story of India’s new-age digital economy.