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Chennai-based start-up Flintobox, which focuses on activity-based learning for kids, is now tapping tap the preschool segment even as it explores funding options for expansion.
The company, which turned profitable last year and reported ₹13 crore in turnover; has remained in the black in the first quarter of FY18 as well, posting a turnover of ₹7.6 crore.
According to co-founder & CEO Arun Prasad Durairaj, Flintobox’s latest offering ‘Flintoclass’ will explore the preschool segment. It has been made available across 500-800 preschools so far. There’s good traction in tier-2 towns too, he pointed out.
Flintoclass is a comprehensive product for preschools. It includes a curriculum for preschoolers, daily lesson plans, online teacher training facilities, classroom posters and an app for parents. Unofficial estimates suggest there are 80,000-100,000 preschools in the country, with approximately 12,000-14,000 new ones coming up every year. The market, therefore, is rather sizeable.
“At the current run-rate we will clock close to ₹30 crore by the end of this fiscal and remain profitable,” Durairaj told BusinessLine.
Flintobox’s offerings for children aged one to 12 are currently available across 220-230 cities, and this is expected to be expanded to 500-600 soon.
What’s in a Flintobox?Flintobox is an activity box for children delivered at the doorstep to subscribers every month. Each box offers play-based activities designed to promote early child development in a fun way.
Each month, there’s a theme, and involves activities such as painting, drawing and games.
Durairaj said Flintobox is also expanding its offerings to foreign markets such as Dubai, Malaysia and the MENA (Middle East, North Africa) region, targeting expats. This, however, is being done through distributors.
“While foreign exposure gives us an opportunity to benchmark our offerings, the focus, at the moment, continues to be growing in the India,” he added.
Funding plansThe company is looking to raise $5-7 million in venture capital funding for the first time.
“We have raised $ 1.5 million in two angel rounds,” Durairaj said. Apart from expansion, the new funds will be utilised to ramp up hiring.
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