byteXL has raised $9 million in its latest funding round led by Elevar Equity, with participation from Kalaari Capital and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
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Founded by brothers Karun and Sricharan Tadepalli, byteXL works with engineering colleges to provide technology and AI-focused learning programmes alongside their academic curriculum.
The startup operates a B2B model, working directly with engineering colleges, including institutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Its programmes combine industry-focused curriculum, practical learning, technology platforms and educators with students’ regular engineering coursework.
According to the startup, 7,600 students who completed byteXL programmes were placed in IT and engineering roles last year.
byteXL plans to use the new capital to expand its presence across India, develop its technology and AI-based learning platform, increase its academic and delivery capacity, and introduce additional skilling programmes.
It aims to expand from 40 institutions to 120 over the next two years and increase its reach from 2 lakh students to 5 lakh students across 15 states.
Part of the funding will also go towards product and technology development, including AI-based learning and assessment tools, student analytics and personalised learning features. It also plans to expand its academic and institutional partnership teams as it works with more colleges.
Sandeep Farias, Founder & Managing Partner, Elevar Equity, said, “At Elevar, our investment approach is centered on backing scalable models that accelerate the economic momentum of Entrepreneurial Households (EHs). Quality education and employability are among the highest-priority investments for EHs, particularly across Tier-2 and Tier-3 communities. What stands out to us is byteXL’s institutional integration and clear potential to build a highly scalable, differentiated platform that empowers the next generation of tech talent across non-metro India.”
Gaurav Jain, Head of University Success, India, The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, said, “For many young people from underserved communities, an engineering degree represents more than a qualification; it represents the possibility of a better economic future through a well-paying job and strong career. That is why byteXL’s work with engineering colleges across India’s tier 2 & 3 cities matters to us. These institutions are home to many first-generation college students who see higher education as a pathway to greater opportunity for themselves and their families.”
“byteXL complements that by bringing industry-aligned, hands-on technology and AI learning directly into the college experience, helping students get hired and keep moving forward in their careers. Our continued investment will expand access to more students and help them turn their education into meaningful employment, career progression and greater economic mobility,” Jain added.
