A common challenge faced by new-age college applicants — navigating non-standardized tests and personal interviews — has been successfully tackled by a student-led startup, Delta Education. Founded by Hemkesh during his first year at the Scaler School of Technology, the venture has grown from a simple Telegram group into a bootstrapped business generating ₹10 lakh in revenue.
From Telegram Group to Business Launch
Hemkesh's journey began with an observation: anxious applicants frequently messaged him with questions about entrance exams, interviews, and course selections for modern institutions. In response, he and a few friends established a Telegram group. What started as a small community of 200 quickly expanded to 700 students, highlighting a clear demand for guidance.
By February 2024, Hemkesh formalized these discussions into Delta Education. Recognizing that traditional entrance exam preparation was inadequate for the evolving admission landscape, the startup developed specialized test series and preparation programs tailored to these new formats.
Rapid Growth and Strategic Expansion
The tailored approach yielded immediate results. During the 2024 admission cycle, Delta Education launched its first preparation program, converting over 50 members from its Telegram audience into paying customers. This initial success generated more than ₹2 lakh in its first year.
To meet increasing demand, the startup expanded its offerings by integrating recorded lectures with live interactive classes. Growth further accelerated when co-founder Srimai Somani joined, bringing his significant digital audience, including a YouTube channel with over 10,000 subscribers focused on competitive exam preparation. Hemkesh emphasized that organic community building remained a primary driver for their expansion.
Bootstrapped Success and Campus Impact
Delta Education stands out as a completely bootstrapped venture, operating without any external funding. In the last financial year, the company achieved a notable revenue of ₹10 lakh.
Hemkesh managed to scale the business without putting his education on hold, even serving as the first general secretary of Scaler’s student council. He credits the college’s innovation lab for providing essential guidance through weekly strategy meetings, pitch opportunities, and institutional networking. Beyond its own growth, Delta Education now contributes to the campus ecosystem by hiring three to four Scaler students as paid interns in roles spanning growth, teaching, and problem-setting.