Leverage Edu Navigates Visa Challenges to Support Students’ Study-Abroad Aspirations
As traditional study-abroad routes face challenges due to visa crackdowns and diplomatic tensions, India’s Leverage Edu is stepping in to help students navigate their educational aspirations. The startup has successfully shifted its focus from popular destinations like Canada to emerging markets such as Germany, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. This strategic pivot has resulted in significant growth, with Leverage Edu doubling its revenue and achieving profitability while expanding its global presence.
Adapting to Changing Circumstances
In recent months, students from emerging markets have encountered increasing uncertainty regarding international college admissions. Factors such as the strained relations between India and Canada, along with new tensions in India-U.S. relations, have disrupted application timelines and eligibility for many. Stricter visa policies in countries like Canada and Australia have caught families off guard, leaving local consultants and study-abroad firms struggling to adapt. In contrast, Leverage Edu has proactively assisted students in identifying alternative study destinations, ensuring their educational plans remain intact despite these disruptions.
The eight-year-old startup quickly responded to the deteriorating India-Canada relations by facilitating student rerouting to Germany and aiding Canadian universities in recruiting students from Nigeria. This approach has proven effective in maintaining student pipelines in both regions and is now being applied amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and India. While Leverage Edu continues to facilitate student placements in the U.S., it is witnessing a growing demand from countries like Brazil and Vietnam, where interest in U.S. universities remains robust.
Expanding Global Footprint
Leverage Edu’s ability to swiftly adapt to changing circumstances has become central to its growth strategy. Recently, the startup has expanded its operations into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Malaysia—regions with increasing numbers of students seeking to study abroad but lacking structured admissions support. With this expansion, Leverage Edu now operates in 16 countries, assisting students in applying to universities across 11 different destination countries.
Headquartered in Noida, near New Delhi, Leverage Edu is positioning itself as a comprehensive platform for international education. The startup offers a range of services, including a mobile app, an AI-powered course search engine, and a university matchmaking tool called UniConnect. Additionally, it has launched a SaaS suite for global universities under the brand Univalley.ai. Beyond admissions, Leverage Edu has diversified its offerings to include services like Leverage MBBS for medical aspirants, Fly Finance for education loans, and Fly Homes for student housing.
Financial Growth and Market Position
Leverage Edu has experienced remarkable financial growth, turning profitable for the first time this year—a notable achievement in India’s competitive edtech sector. The startup reported over ₹1.8 billion (approximately $20 million) in revenue for fiscal year 2025, doubling from the previous year’s ₹900 million (around $10 million). In the first half of fiscal year 2026, it generated more than ₹2 billion (roughly $23 million) and anticipates ending the fiscal year with revenues between ₹3.7 billion and ₹3.8 billion (about $45 million).
The company has also made significant strides in profitability, earning around ₹120-130 million (approximately $1.4-1.5 million) in profit after tax. Leverage Edu expects to surpass ₹250 million ($2.8 million) by the end of fiscal year 2026, marking a substantial turnaround from a loss of ₹800 million in fiscal year 2025. Approximately 25% of its revenue now comes from platform businesses that support students beyond admissions, while the remaining 75% is derived from core education services.
Future Prospects and IPO Plans
With its rising revenues and expanding global footprint, Leverage Edu is considering a potential initial public offering (IPO) in India as early as next year. Investment bankers have already made preliminary pitches to the company. Founder and CEO Akshay Chaturvedi has not ruled out the possibility of a public listing but indicated that the decision will depend on whether the company reaches the $100 million revenue milestone, which is expected in 2026.
To date, Leverage Edu has raised less than $50 million in equity and operates across 27 countries with over 50 offices and a workforce of approximately 800 employees. As the startup continues to grow and adapt to the evolving landscape of international education, it remains focused on providing valuable support to students pursuing their academic dreams.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
