By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
Unacademy, one of India’s leading edtech platforms, is undergoing a significant leadership transition. Co-founders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini are stepping down from their active roles to focus on AirLearn, a new language learning venture. Sumit Jain, previously leading the Graphy division, has been appointed as the new CEO of Unacademy .
Co-founders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini Step Away from Daily Operations
India’s leading edtech startups, Unacademy cofounders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini have announced their exit from day-to-day operational roles at the company. Their departure marks a strategic shift as the company matures into its next phase of growth. While both remain on the board and continue to be key stakeholders, their operational exit signals a generational transition of leadership, aligning with the company’s evolving focus. This move is not abrupt; according to internal communications, it has been planned as part of a broader effort to decentralize leadership and empower new talent within the organization.
“Munjal is squarely focussed on Airlearn only for more than a year now, whereas Saini had long back lost interest in taking Unacademy forward,” insiders aware of the developments at Unacademy. Munjal and Saini each hold 3.4% stake in Unacademy, whereas the other cofounder Hemesh Singh, who moved on from Unacademy to an advisory role in 2024, holds 2.2% stake.
Sources claimed that both Munjal and Saini received cash payouts at the time of their exits and that they will have partial stakes in the Unacademy. Additionally, Shashank Murali, Munjal’s confidante and the TapChief cofounder who sold his startup to Unacademy in 2021 for INR 25 Cr, is also moving on with Munjal to build Airlearm. Murali had taken over operations at Unacademy’s Relevel after the acquisition, but Relevel itself seems to have been shut down as indicated by a dysfunctional website.
While in the days ahead, the industry will be buzzing with speculation and forecasts on what led to Munjal and Saini’s exits, sources in the know tell us that this has been in the making for almost a year. Munjal is said to have signalled to the board that he can no longer commit to leading Unacademy’s offline tuition centre business which contributes to 40%-50% of the company’s revenues.
Munjal and Saini were instrumental in scaling Unacademy from a YouTube channel into a billion-dollar unicorn. Their leadership saw the company diversify across verticals from K-12 and competitive exam prep to skilling and creator-led learning through Graphy. Their departure opens space for a more specialized team to drive both online and offline strategies. The exit also allows them to dedicate focus to their next entrepreneurial pursuit, Airlearn. Insiders also revealed that Munjal wanted to return to a tech-first edtech model, where Airlearn is the latest bet from the serial entrepreneur.
Sumit Jain Takes Over as CEO Amid Offline Business Boom
Munjal has handed over the reins to Sumit Jain, a board member, and founder of Commonfloor. Jain was leading the company’s Graphy app till the transition to the CEO post. In an internal mail to Unacademy’s employees, Jain said the company operations will be running smoothly and that employees should not listen to the noise around the exits.
Jain is expected to lead Unacademy into its next phase of evolution focusing on profitability, offline growth, and hybrid learning models. His appointment reflects a strong internal succession plan and signals confidence in his understanding of Unacademy’s core business.
Under Jain’s leadership, the company is doubling down on its offline initiatives. The offline format, which seemed counterintuitive for a digital-native company, has actually proven profitable and has received a strong response from students and parents alike. These centers are being equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, live streaming support, and access to top educators, creating a blended learning experience. Jain’s role will be pivotal in scaling this initiative further and navigating the increasing competition from other edtech and hybrid education players.
A Reality Check for Unacademy & Gaurav Munjal
Unacademy’s growth trajectory for FY25 is not clear. Munjal posted on social media last year with some hints about revenue milestones, margins, cash flow at Unacademy, but these numbers for FY25 are not backed by filings.
In FY24 Unacademy reported a marginal dip in its operating revenue by 2.3% to INR 716 Cr from INR 733 Cr in the previous fiscal year, whereas the edtech firm trimmed its losses by 82.09% to INR 285 Cr in FY24. Whereas media reports claimed that offline tuition centres contributed 40% of Unacademy’s revenues, sources claimed it is substantially higher.
In an April 2025 LinkedIn post, Munjal said there was a significant decrease in the company’s cash burn for 2025. “Three years ago we used to burn more than INR 1000 Cr here, this CY it will be under INR 200 Cr. This is half of what we did last year. We are in Default Alive State with INR 1,200 Cr in the bank,” Munjal claimed.
Conclusion
The exit of Unacademy cofounders Gaurav Munjal and Roman Saini marks a pivotal moment for the edtech giant as it navigates a changing market landscape. With Sumit Jain stepping in as CEO and offline learning gaining significant traction, Unacademy is strategically shifting toward a hybrid model focused on profitability and sustainability. Meanwhile, Munjal and Saini are betting big on their new venture, Airlearn, signaling a return to tech-first innovation. As Unacademy trims its losses and cash burn, the company appears more financially disciplined, though the true impact of these leadership changes will unfold in the coming quarters.
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