Byju’s adds 3D virtual lab tools provider LabInApp to acquisition cart

Online learning platform Byju’s has acquired edtech firm LabInApp Technology, which runs an eponymous platform to help students to learn science concepts through 3D virtual laboratory tools.

The financial details of the deal are not disclosed.

Founded in 2015 by Pavan Shinde, Girish Shirigannavar, Pramod Ramdurg and Vinayak Hulabutti, LabInApp offers 3D interactive virtual laboratory tools that help students and teachers perform science experiments on computers or mobile devices.

Its real time 3D computer graphics technology promotes the ‘learn by doing’ pedagogy for students, while helping teachers deliver live demonstrations of experiments, concepts and complex ideas in a controlled environment. A computer graphic engine, used to build games on desktops and mobile devices, is the core technology that powers these virtual lab science experiments.

The digital labs are enabled by virtual simulation of lab equipment and experiments without requiring an expensive laboratory setup. There are 550 simulations on LabInApp, the company said. These simulations cover concepts across physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. The technology is supported across Windows, Android and is accessible on web browsers. 

Designed as per the NCERT guidelines, its content supports all major curriculum from grade 6 through 12.

According to the company, the solution is used by more than 5,000 schools across India. 

“… We have created a virtual learning and teaching environment, representing science laboratories where teachers can teach practical concepts to students. To further scale LabInApp’s products and potential, there is no better education platform than Byju’s, who have a huge number of K-12 students actively using their services,” LabInApp co-founder Shinde said.

The company raised a seed funding round in 2015 from early stage investor Unitus Seed Fund. Unitus said it would exit the company completely after the acquisition.

Last month, Byju’s acquired Whitehat Education Technology, which provides online coding language courses for children under the brand WhiteHat Jr, in a $300 million all cash deal. 

The Byju Raveendran-led company raised a new round of funding from private equity firm Silver Lake, and returning investors Tiger Global, General Atlantic and Owl Ventures last week.  

Since March, when the first national Covid-19 lockdown was put in place, the Think & Learn operated firm claims to have seen over 20 million new students start learning from its platform. Its app has over 64 million registered students and 4.2 million annual paid subscriptions.