Twelve years ago, a simple Facebook group became a lifeline for two parents seeking trusted school recommendations and after-school programs. That group, with over 80,000 members now, led them to co-founding EdDeeD – an education startup which offers curated school listings, after-school activity directories, job opportunities for educators, and interactive forums where parents can share experiences and insights.
Founded in 2022, the Bengaluru-based startup connects parents, schools, educators, and service providers in the education sector. Incubated under the Wadhwani Foundation and at herSTART, Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC), EdDeeD integrates data-driven insights, AI-powered tools, and community engagement to help parents make informed decisions.
The startup was launched after its co-founders Sandhya Viswan and Manoj Thelakkat witnessed how parents relied on peer discussions before making crucial decisions.
“Our trust was built through the 80,000+ parents in a Facebook group, where real conversations and recommendations shaped the platform for over 12 years,” Thelakkat said in an interview with TNM. “Open discussions, authentic reviews, and peer interactions foster genuine trust,” he added.
Viswan, an educator with two decades of experience, said that EdDeeD’s mission is to put decision-making power back in the hands of parents. “Education is an individualistic decision, and one size does not fit all,” she said.
“We created a one-stop solution where parents can search for schools and after-school programs based on their child’s specific needs.”
According to the co-founders, unlike traditional school directories, EdDeeD integrates multiple aspects of education into a single platform. The platform offers:
> School and Program Search – Parents can filter schools based on curriculum, teaching methods, and reviews.
> After-School Programs – A listing of tutoring, extracurricular activities, and workshops.
> Careers in Education – A job portal for educators seeking employment in schools.
> Community Engagement – Blogs, discussions, newsletters, and expert consultations for parents and educators.
The platform also facilitates education expos, where parents, schools, and education experts interact. The startup has conducted five education expos, including one of India’s first online education expos, reaching over 12,000 parents.
“The expos gave us an opportunity to engage with thousands of parents, educators, and school leaders,” Thelakkat said. “We observed that parents are increasingly prioritising holistic development, future skills, and mental well-being over traditional academic benchmarks.”
With the growing demand for customised education choices, EdDeeD is developing AI-driven tools that offer personalised recommendations for parents based on real data, peer insights, and evolving trends.
“AI and data-driven learning are making education more adaptive, personalised, and accessible than ever,” Thelakkat said. “The future isn’t just about choosing a school—it’s about finding the right learning environment that fits each child’s needs, strengths, and aspirations.”
EdDeeD plans to expand into every major Indian city. The startup is currently in discussions with potential investors to scale its platform and enhance its offerings.
“Our goal is to build the largest education community in the world,” Thelakkat said. “With 1.5 million schools and 250 million students in India, the scope for impact is significant.”