In a candid interview, Mr. Mayank Srivastava retraces the journey of his company, Experts’ Global. He talks about how he has transformed the firm into a leading EdTech company specializing in GMAT online preparation and MBA admission consulting.
Q1. What influenced your decision to return to India after the Boston University MBA?
A. Even prior to my MBA, I had laid the foundation of Experts’ Global to extend MBA admission consulting solutions. Therefore, coming back to India was always the plan. In Boston, I engaged in rigorous learning but my intention was not to get a job in the U.S. Unlike most of my classmates, who were scouting for jobs, I devoted my time towards expanding Experts’ Global and helping build a solid foundation for the company even before returning to India myself. Interestingly, I did not even make a resume! Indeed, I have been fortunate that the plan worked out well.
Q2. But wasn’t there a temptation to stay back and get the due ROI on a US MBA?
A. I got 100% financial aid from Boston University. Therefore, worrying about ROI was fortunately not on the cards. I not only graduated debt-free but also amassed enough savings to give an impetus to Experts’ Global. At the same time, Experts’ Global was already profitable and the drive to expand my startup was enough to steer clear of the temptations of a fat paycheck. Honestly, the splendid results that Experts’ Global was getting at that point were enough to keep me on the chosen path.
Q3. What inspired you to establish Experts’ Global?
A. While engaging in GMAT preparation and preparing my MBA applications, I began realizing that correct guidance was really difficult to come by. However, I researched a lot and completed the entire process singlehandedly while quite enjoying it at the same time! Resultantly, I started to believe that I could guide students. I felt inspired to plug a gap and address a problem that I had encountered myself. Moreover, the dots connected well because I possessed significant work experience in training.
Q4. Why EdTech?
A. When I started, EdTech was not even a legit term as such but I believed in its potential to impart education through technology. My engineering background naturally pulled me towards technology and my work experience and knack for analytical matter provided a strong academic bent. Thus, I was driven by a blend of both skills and interest. Education is the greatest source of growth and excellence and the prospect of building an organization had long excited me.
Q5. Tell us a bit about the success achieved by Experts’ Global since its inception.
A. We extend MBA admission consulting support to MBA aspirants of more than 10 nations. Since 2014, every 10th Indian in the US top 50 b-schools has availed our guidance. Thousands of students from India as well as from over 40 other countries use our GMAT programs every year. What started as a one-person company in 2008, today, has a dedicated team of like-minded, inspired individuals, passionate about mentoring!
Q6. How is the GMAT online preparation course by Experts’ Global different from other EdTech companies?
A. Our course is factually the world’s most “complete” GMAT online preparation with 100+ concept videos, 4000+ practice questions, 15 full-length practice tests, and 200+ short videos for revising important concepts. We have excellent software features and exhaustive analytics. Importantly, this program comes at the world’s lowest fee! The artificially intelligent software identifies the student’s key weak areas and recommends ways to overcome the same by analyzing the student’s performance.
Q7. That’s interesting. Why have you priced such a powerful tool so low?
A. I prefer seeing thousands of students using the software for a low price to viewing a small fraction of test-takers gaining from it due to its high price. I want to establish this tool as the undisputed default option for GMAT prep and make it available to the global student body. Given the scale and outreach we are targeting, the low price makes sense.
Q8. What are the next plans for Experts’ Global?
A. I intend to expand our GMAT online preparation wider and deeper, globally. As far as MBA admission consulting is concerned, the goal is to continue training limited, pre-decided number of students every year and maintaining close to 100% results.
Mayank Srivastava’s complete journey with establishing and growing Experts’ Global can found on the following page- Founder’s Message
