Ed-tech startup Knudge.me selected for Facebook's FbStart programme

Bangalore-based micro learning mobile platform Knudge.me has been selected for Facebook's FbStart programme, which is designed to help early-stage mobile startups build and grow their apps.

Under the bootstrap track programme, the startup will receive services and credits worth $40,000 from Facebook and its more than 30 partners including Amazon, UserTesting, Dropbox and MailChimp.

In addition, the startup will also get an opportunity to connect with the Facebook team and will be enrolled into the social media giant's community of global startups.

Knudge.me is a science-based app that aims to make learning easy, interesting and effective through its notification-based micro-learning platform.

It works on an algorithm developed using techniques like adaptive and spaced learning. It currently offers a number of English- and mathematical skill-development courses such as vocabulary sections, English idioms, phrasal verbs, common confusing words and maths tips and tricks.

"Most of the education apps in the Indian market including Byju, Toppr and the likes are platforms as alternatives to classroom coaching. The focus is on comprehensive learning. Knudge.me aims to be a platform which not only caters to the problem of a distracted learner but also provide an effective medium of learning for a curious learner who would be interested to explore new domains without any formal learning session," said Zunaid Ahmed, co-founder of Knudge.me.

The content is offered as spaced learning that can boost the user's brain to learn and retain lessons, bite-sized notification that helps students learn things on the go, and handy flashcards that help memorising.

Knudge.me has been founded by Ahmed along with Udit Jain and Pushp Raj Saurabh. Ahmed and Jain are IIIT-Allahabad alumni, and Saurabh is a graduate from Thapar University. While Ahmed worked with TinyOwl, Udit was associated with Flipkart and Walmart Labs, and Saurabh worked with companies like TinyOwl and CraftsVilla before launching Knudge.me.

"Being part of FbStart program will help us boost our current growth trajectory by using free tools and premium services. And being mentored by Facebook's folks would help us shape the product in the right direction. We are excited with the opportunities to connect directly with the Facebook team and access to an exclusive community of global startups," Ahmed said.

The company claims the Android app, launched 3.5 months back, has around 25,000 installs already and is currently adding 300-500 new users on a daily basis. It expects to acquire 5 lakhs users within next 5 months.

FbStart offers a package of free tools and services designed to help early-stage startups build and grow their mobile apps. The selected startups will also get access to a community of developers, worldwide events and mentorship from the social networking giant.

Any developer who has launched a working mobile app on App Store or Google Play is eligible to apply to FbStart.

The programme provides free access to more than 25 services, including open source tools like React Native, FB Login and Account Kit and App Analytics.

According to newswire agency IANS, India is the largest market for FbStart outside the US. According to Satyajeet Singh, who leads product partnerships for Facebook in India, over 75% of top-grossing apps in the country get integrated with Facebook.

Content discovery social network Flicksup, immunisation management platform vImmune, peer-to-peer content platform of moms and moms-to-be Healofy, and job search and educational content platform JobSenz were selected for the programme recently.