Indian Angel Network Invests in Delhi Based Education Startup, Aurus Network

Wednesday September 05, 2012 , 3 min Read

Indian Angel Network today announced an undisclosed investment in Aurus Network, a Delhi based integrated cloud based platform for video creation, management and distribution in the educational space. The round was led by IAN investors including Ajai Chowdhry, Saumya Meattle, Ashvin Chadha & Sharad Sharma.

Aurus Network was founded in July 2010. Co-founders Piyush Agrawal and Sujeet Kumar shared the vision for the company to revolutionize the way online education is delivered. Aurus Network pioneered the use of internet based, relevant and affordable solutions for connecting the best teachers with students across the country, eliminating the need for expensive hardware based video conferencing or VSAT (satellite based) equipments and networks. Piyush Agarwal, co-founder & CEO, Aurus Network said, “At Aurus Network, our focus is on increasing the quality of teaching and learning via an integrated cloud based platform, thereby contributing towards an enhanced educational landscape in the country. In this endeavor, we are privileged to work with IAN members whose real-life industry experience as our mentors will put us on a growth trajectory. IAN investments will help us scale our business, accelerate growth, develop our products and expand our technology”. (Read their complete story here)

Their platform allows educational institutes to conduct live high quality video based classes over regular broadband networks, without the need to have dedicated equipments, leased lines or satellite connectivity. The company also offers an automated solution for large scale, university wide lecture capture and publishing, with in-built features like web based lecture video editing, social networking, online testing, performance tracking, search and analytics. Their key focus areas are Higher Education Institutes, Test-prep & training institutes and enterprises with dispersed work force.

Saumya Meattle and Sharad Sharma will take the board seat at Aurus Network said. On Aurus, Saumya said, “In Piyush and Sujeet , we found exceptional entrepreneurs with high passion and energy to create a company which will provide a paradigm shift for education companies to scale up. Aurus Network has a well thought through scalable strategy along with a high execution focus.” And Sharad Sharma added,“Education is vital to a sustainable, social and economic progress and IAN strongly believes high-quality affordable education will drive this. Aurus Network strikes at the heart of this, with its cloud-based platforms, enhancing the teaching-learning methodology. We are confident that Aurus Networks will set new benchmarks in the distance learning space with its new and innovative service offerings”.

Ajai Chowdhry said, “We are committed to providing innovative start-ups like Aurus Networks, technology business expertise and extensive connections. But it is important for the company to leverage this and in Aurus Network, we see this potential to become a leader. We will work closely with the team at Aurus, helping them build a strong foundation and enabling enhanced competitiveness.” Aurus Network will use the funds to increase focus on research and development, scale their business and hire talent force. R&D is a huge focus for the company, and they have recently opened a R&D centre in Bangalore. And Ashvin Chadha who also invested in the company said, “We were impressed by Piyush’s focus and flexible mindset at such a young age. His understanding of the space and ability to execute make Aurus a potential high return investment for IAN.”

IAN has been aggressively investing in startups. Read our interview with IAN President Padmaja Ruparel.

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