AI-driven admissions startup Ambitio is set to expand its offerings beyond postgraduate programmes after securing $2 million in a seed funding round. The startup, co-founded by IIT-BHU graduates Dirghayu Kaushik and Vikrant Shivalik, plans to introduce dedicated undergraduate admission services and strengthen its distribution network to reach students in less active regions.
“More than 80% of our current usage is on postgraduate programmes. Most of the students who study abroad through us have pursued master’s or PhD programmes. Now, with this fundraise, we want to foray into undergraduate admissions as well, with a dedicated offering,” Kaushik told CNBC-TV18. He added that part of the funds will be used to expand outreach and make Ambitio’s services accessible to students in underserved areas.
Ambitio differentiates itself from traditional admission consultancies through its AI-driven approach. Kaushik said that most players in the space still follow conventional processes with limited use of technology.“This entire system is driven by recruitment agents who work with universities abroad. Our fundamental difference is twofold — we don’t work with universities; we work with students, and we have sourced a large amount of data on past applicants, their profiles, and their essays. We also understand how university admission officers evaluate profiles. That’s what we leverage to create a seamless and efficient admissions experience,” he explained.
Since its launch, Ambitio has accumulated a user base of over 75,000 monthly active website visitors and more than 50,000 signups. Hundreds of students have already secured admission to top global universities, including Stanford, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, and Oxford. “One of our students might be accepted at any top university you name, and this has happened in less than two years since we launched,” Kaushik said.
Ambitio’s AI-based platform provides hyper-personalised guidance by analysing more than a decade of past applicant data. This allows the startup to match students with universities and programs that align with their profiles and goals. “Every student is unique, and we ensure they get a customised action plan to help them get closer to their dream school,” Kaushik noted.
Student preferences for study destinations are also shifting due to geopolitical factors. Kaushik pointed out that interest in Canada has waned, while demand for studying in the US remains strong despite political uncertainties. The UK and Europe are also seeing steady demand, but students are prioritising institutions based on programme quality and return on investment rather than geographical location. “At the end of the day, students want to see a return on their investment and the kind of experience they can get when studying abroad,” he added.
On the business front, Ambitio is targeting $2 million in revenue for the next financial year (FY26). While it has the potential to achieve profitability within a year, the company plans to reinvest in technology and distribution expansion to enhance its offerings. “We are heavily investing in tech and distribution channels. While we could be profitable next year, our focus is on improving our offerings and creating a more nuanced and hyper-personalised experience for students,” Kaushik concluded.
Watch the accompanying video for the entire conversation.
Content retrieved from: https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/startup/ai-edtech-startup-ambitio-funding-college-admission-services-19576216.htm.
