byteXL raises $9 million to take its job-ready tech courses to more colleges

byteXL, a startup working in education and technology in India, has raised $9 million (about Rs 75 crore) in a new funding round. Kalaari Capital and The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation invested in the round.

The round is seen as significant because the company also received a large investment in July 2024. The new money has come within two years of that, which indicates that investors have confidence in the company.

Many people earn an engineering degree but lack the skills that jobs demand. There is a wide gap between what colleges teach and what companies need, and byteXL works to close it.

The company works with colleges. Using its own technology platform, it gives students, from the first year, the training that industry requires. No separate classes are needed, as it is part of the four-year degree. The courses cover coding, artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies.

Sampath P., partner at Kalaari Capital, said of the investment: "We are investing in byteXL for the second time. That itself shows how much confidence we have in their team. Their way of working is very different. They use their technology platform and work without disrupting the colleges' systems. They have made technology education part of the degree instead of an extra course, and that is their biggest strength."

Elevar Equity and the Dell Foundation also said that the need for AI and technology skills in India is growing fast and that byteXL is meeting it well.

According to the company, the $9 million will be used for three main purposes: reaching more colleges across the country, adding more new AI courses to its platform, and building a larger network to help students get jobs.

byteXL's aim is that students of engineering get not just a degree but a good job as well.