EntryLevel
About the Company
EntryLevel is an educational platform designed to help individuals learn and gain project experience to secure tech jobs. Established in 2021 by Ajay Prakash, the company focuses on providing cohort-based programs that have been particularly popular in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and India. Additionally, it operates in Australia, the US, Canada, and other regions. The platform distinguishes itself from free resources by offering structured, engaging, and community-driven learning experiences.
EntryLevel's programs last six weeks and include features like timed lesson releases, active community interaction, and an AI teaching assistant for real-time feedback. The company emphasizes soft skills development through peer feedback and practical projects. A standout feature is their pricing model, which offers a 100% refund upon course completion, making education accessible while encouraging students to commit to the program.
Currently, EntryLevel generates $40,000 per month in revenue and has helped nearly 30,000 learners since its inception. The company’s unique approach and dedication to quality education have contributed to its growing success and global reach.
Idea Behind Company
Ajay Prakash's passion for education and background in engineering and physics led him to start EntryLevel. Before EntryLevel, he founded a non-profit called Real Skills to help engineers find jobs, impacting nearly 10,000 students. His varied career, including ventures in e-commerce, crypto, international trade, and deep tech, provided valuable lessons and fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent job loss became a turning point for Prakash, inspiring him to focus on reskilling individuals for the tech industry. Motivated by the World Economic Forum’s goal to reskill 1 billion people by 2030, Prakash envisioned EntryLevel as a scalable solution to provide affordable, high-volume tech education.
Supported by Blackbird VC, Prakash secured funding to pursue his vision despite anticipating initial low revenues. His experience and dedication to education, combined with a clear mission to make a global impact, drove the creation and growth of EntryLevel.
Creating the Company
Building EntryLevel involved balancing quality with limited resources. The first step was developing a referral waiting list system, leveraging Webflow for the website and a custom Firebase referral script. The Learning Management System (LMS) was a basic setup using Notion and Super.so, complemented by Discord for community interaction. Despite manual processes and a small initial team, this approach allowed EntryLevel to deliver quality education to early cohorts.
Initial feedback was positive, though only 10-15% of students completed the courses due to the free model. Those who finished appreciated the program, highlighting the community aspect and educational quality. This period was labor-intensive but crucial for refining the educational experience and maintaining high standards.
EntryLevel's early development focused on creating a compelling product, understanding user needs, and iterating based on feedback. The combination of a unique referral system and a high-quality learning experience helped the company gain traction and set the foundation for future growth.
Launching the Business
EntryLevel’s launch strategy centered on a waitlist website with a referral system. Ajay Prakash promoted the platform extensively, leading to 30,000 sign-ups within two months, far exceeding expectations. The initial cohorts consisted of one to two thousand students, focusing on high completion rates with minimal staff.
The company experimented with various pricing models, including "Pay What You Want" and "Free if You Finish," with the latter resonating well with learners. Financing during the initial stages was straightforward, covering modest salaries for the small team. The platform used Super.so and Notion for a password-protected website and Discord for community interaction.
Early cohorts provided valuable insights, helping EntryLevel refine its upselling strategy. Upsells included job kits, additional content, and premium certificates. This iterative approach, combined with continuous A/B testing, allowed the company to enhance its product and business model effectively.
Earnings
EntryLevel currently earns $40,000 per month, with significant contributions from emerging markets like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. The company uses Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) to make education affordable in these regions. Their pricing model, which offers a full refund upon course completion, has been a key driver of revenue and student engagement.
The company has a 30-40% margin including advertising costs and 90%+ operating margins. EntryLevel's mission to reskill 1 billion people by 2030 guides their operations and growth strategies. Completion rates for their cohorts are significantly higher than traditional online learning platforms, with a recent cohort achieving a 40% completion rate.
Looking forward, EntryLevel aims to scale operations to Latin America and Southeast Asia, improve product quality, and enhance customer support. The company’s commitment to quality education and continuous improvement positions it for sustained growth and impact in the global education sector.
