PlanetSpark

PlanetSpark is a Gurugram-based education company that delivers live one-to-one online classes in communication and numeracy skills. Its catalogue spans public speaking and creative writing (K-12), phonics (pre-K to grade 3), spoken English for K-12 learners and adults, business communication for working professionals, a maths excellence program (K-12), mental and Vedic maths (K-5), an abacus program (K-8) and a maths crash course (grades 1-12). The company positions its delivery as combining AI with human instruction, and supplements classes with content such as blogs, worksheets, podcasts, a summer camp and a communication skills test, alongside an app and a business solutions offering.

The programs mix live 1:1 instruction with asynchronous and project-based learning. Curriculum for children aged roughly four to sixteen has included storytelling, debate, podcasting, stand-up comedy and poetry, with students producing outputs such as debates, videos and written stories. Earlier descriptions of the product characterise it as a scientifically designed English and Math program for pre-teen students aligned to the school curriculum, built on a proprietary "STEPS" (Spark, Think, Explain, Practice, Share) methodology designed by educationists from XLRI Jamshedpur and drawing on child cognitive psychology and gamified pedagogy.

As of late 2021 the company reported having delivered more than one million classes to students across 13 countries and 30% month-on-month growth, and it stated plans to onboard 50,000 teachers on the platform by the end of 2022.

Founding story

PlanetSpark was founded by Kunal Malik and Maneesh Dhooper, graduates of XLRI Jamshedpur who met as hostel wingmates and became close friends. Before founding the company, Kunal Malik spent five years at an FMCG company and Maneesh Dhooper worked with a global pharmaceutical company in Switzerland. Their stated aim was to build a global leader in developing children's communication skills and to address the unorganised private education sector in India.

Business model

PlanetSpark sells structured, subscription-style course programs delivered as live 1:1 online classes by teachers on its platform, acquiring customers through free trial classes booked on its website and app. It also markets a business solutions line and recruits teachers, sales staff and affiliates to support delivery and distribution. An earlier model partnered with qualified homemakers, training them to run home-based learning centres powered by PlanetSpark's content, marketing and technology.

Revenue comes from paid enrolment in its course programs for children and adults, converted from free trial classes; the company has also offered business/enterprise solutions and merchandise via SparkShop.

Traction

By December 2021 the company reported delivering more than one million classes across 13 countries, growth of 30% month-on-month and 45x growth over the prior year, with a stated plan to grow a further 30x over the following two years and to onboard 50,000 teachers by the end of 2022.

Latest developments

In July 2025 the company launched Project EMMA, inviting mothers on career breaks to contribute to emotional modelling of its AI tutor. Coverage in March 2025 discussed the company charting a path to profitability. Its current site markets AI-powered programs across communication skills and mathematics, including business communication for working professionals.