Leverage Edu: Navigating Visa Challenges for Aspiring Students
As visa crackdowns and diplomatic tensions block traditional study-abroad routes, India’s Leverage Edu is helping students reroute their dreams — from Canada to Germany, and from India to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. That agility is paying off: The startup has doubled its revenue, turned profitable, and is now expanding its global footprint.
In recent months, uncertainties surrounding international college admissions have escalated, particularly for students from emerging markets. Shifting visa regulations and escalating diplomatic tensions, such as the recent 2023-2024 standoff between India and Canada, have disrupted application timelines and eligibility for thousands of students. Stricter student visa policies introduced by countries like Canada and Australia have caught many families off guard. Amidst this confusion, even established consultants and study-abroad firms struggle to adapt. In contrast, Leverage Edu has positioned itself as a lifeline, swiftly guiding students to alternative study destinations, ensuring their educational aspirations remain intact.
Quick Adaptation to Changing Geopolitics
The eight-year-old startup reacted promptly when relations between India and Canada deteriorated, facilitating Indian students’ transitions to Germany and aiding Canadian universities in connecting with potential students in Nigeria. This dual approach not only salvaged academic pathways in both regions but also laid the groundwork for similar strategies amidst ongoing tensions between India and the U.S.
While Leverage Edu continues to send students to the U.S., there is a noticeable shift in demand coming from countries like Brazil and Vietnam, where interest in American universities remains robust, as noted by founder and CEO Akshay Chaturvedi in a recent interview.
Global Expansion: A Focus on Emerging Markets
The company’s agility in adapting to shifting geographies has become critical to its growth strategy. Recently, Leverage Edu has expanded its operations into Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Malaysia—regions with a burgeoning population of international students but limited access to organized admissions support. Currently, Leverage operates in 16 countries, assisting students in applying to institutions across 11 different countries.
Leverage Edu, based in Noida, near New Delhi, is evolving beyond mere application support. The startup is positioning itself as a comprehensive resource for international education, helping students navigate planning, financing, and managing their educational journeys. They offer a robust mobile app, an AI-driven course search engine, a university matchmaking tool named UniConnect, and a newly launched SaaS suite for global universities under the Univalley.ai brand.
Diverse Offerings for Comprehensive Support
In addition to application support, Leverage Edu now provides various services to enrich the student experience. This includes Leverage MBBS for medical aspirants, Fly Finance for education loans, and Fly Homes for student accommodation, along with other offerings under the Leverage Careers and Compass brands.
Currently, Leverage is placing over 10,000 students annually, a substantial increase from around 1,500 just a few years ago. Much of this growth is driven by organic demand, with 60% of student acquisitions achieved at no customer acquisition cost, according to Chaturvedi.
Financial Highlights and Future Prospects
Leverage Edu’s financial performance has also been noteworthy, as it turned profitable for the first time this year—a significant achievement in India’s competitive edtech landscape. The startup reported revenues exceeding ₹1.8 billion (roughly $20 million) in the fiscal year 2025, a doubling from the ₹900 million (approximately $10 million) in the previous year. Furthermore, in the first half of fiscal year 2026, it generated over ₹2 billion (approximately $23 million) and is on pace to reach between ₹3.7 billion and ₹3.8 billion (about $45 million) by the end of the fiscal year.
Profitability has also seen a significant turnaround, with Leverage recording a profit after tax of around ₹120-130 million (approximately $1.4-1.5 million). It anticipates surpassing ₹250 million ($2.8 million) by the close of fiscal year 2026, marking a 256% improvement from a prior loss of ₹800 million in fiscal year 2025.
Focus on Growth Strategies
Leverage Edu sees around 25% of its revenue originating from platform-oriented businesses that extend support beyond admissions, with services like loans, money remittance, housing, and assistance with internships. The remaining 75% of revenue is derived from its core education services, with approximately 20% coming directly from students and 55% from commissions from universities.
India continues to be the largest market for Leverage, accounting for 58% of its total student base. The startup strategically focuses on states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab—regions that have historically sent substantial numbers of students abroad for higher education.
Destination Trends
Currently, the U.K. is the leading market for Leverage, comprising 52% of its student placements, followed by Germany at 22%. Italy is emerging as the fastest-growing destination, gaining momentum this summer. In contrast, North America, which has faced stricter visa regulations and diplomatic challenges, represents less than 5% of total placements. Leverage anticipates this share will grow as the company expands its reach in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Future Plans: Potential IPO on the Horizon
With its escalating revenue and expanding global footprint, Leverage Edu is contemplating a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO) in India as early as next year. Investment bankers have already made early pitches regarding this opportunity. While CEO Chaturvedi has not ruled out the IPO, he emphasized that a decision between pursuing an IPO or securing external funding will hinge on achieving a $100 million revenue milestone, anticipated for 2026.
Thus far, Leverage Edu has raised under $50 million in equity and currently operates across 27 countries through over 50 offices, employing around 800 staff members.
For more insights into Leverage Edu’s innovative approach to international education, read the full article here.
Leverage Founder and CEO Akshay Chaturvedi
Image Credits:Akshay Chaturvedi / Instagram
Image Credit: techcrunch.com
