Bhanzu, the math-learning platform founded by the “world’s fastest human calculator” Neelakantha Bhanu has raised $16.5 million in Series B funding led by Epiq Capital and supported by Z3Partners, with participation from existing investors Lightspeed Ventures and Eight Roads. The edtech startup said it has achieved 8x growth since its last funding round and has a positive cash flow along with a strong product-market fit across India, the U.S., the U.K., and the Middle East.
Bhanu was declared the world’s fastest human calculator after he won India’s first-ever gold in the Mental Calculation World Championship at the Mind Sports Olympiad 2020 in London. Born in 1999 in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru, Bhanu had already broken four world records and 50 Limca Book Records by the age of 21.
His edtech startup Bhanzu’s curriculum “is designed to eliminate math anxiety and build confidence through small, highly interactive group sessions—effectively preparing students for success in STEM fields,” the company said.
The company added that by harnessing advanced AI, each session dynamically personalizes based on individual learning patterns, adjusting in real-time to enhance teaching quality, boost student engagement, and improve learning outcomes. This personalized approach fosters strong problem-solving skills, ensuring that each student progresses at an optimal pace.
Bhanzu offers courses for students from kindergarten to grade 9+.
Speaking on the new funding round, Bhanu said it will not only support the company’s expansion but also underscore its strong market position—with rapid 8x growth and positive cash flow since the company’s last round.
“The U.S. math education market has significant potential, but it is dominated by large, billion-dollar companies that have not innovated their curricula or effectively embraced technology. This gap creates a significant opportunity for Bhanzu to revolutionize math education in the US,” he said.
As the lead investor in the fresh round, Epiq Capital’s Partner, Chinmay Katdare said Bhanu has built a solid team and a robust business model, which continues to have a strong growth trajectory while being cash flow positive. “We are excited to partner with Bhanu and the team in their journey to revolutionize math education in the US, India, and globally.”