Scaler to bolster data science, AI offerings with US$50M take over of e-learning startup AppliedRoots

Scaler has bought AppliedRoots, an online learning platform. The deal is aimed at bolstering Scaler’s data science, and other offerings.

Scaler, an India-based edtech business, has paid US$50 million for online learning platform AppliedRoots in order to expand the former’s data science, Artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning offerings.

Scaler, which is backed by Sequoia Capital India and Tiger Global, focuses on reskilling college students and tech professionals. Over 1,000 tech leaders and subject matter experts from companies like Google, Facebook, Intuit, Microsoft, and Amazon teach users on the platform.

AppliedRoots, founded by Srikanth Varma Chekuri, Murali Krishna Varri, Naveen Krishnakanth Bade, Brahma Reddy, Srinivas Reddy, and Satish Atcha, has serviced over 40,000 students in the last four years. It offers diploma courses in AI, machine learning, and coding.

As part of the agreement, all six co-founders of AppliedRoots will join this startup and lead various projects. The majority of the AppliedRoots team will be working with startup’s data science and machine learning business verticals.

Some team members will also work on the Scaler Topics content vertical, which is a curated interactive environment for aspiring software professionals to master tech skills.

In the latter part of the year, the AppliedRoots team will also spearhead some new Scaler activities.

Scaler is presently worth $710 million. AppliedRoots is the company’s third purchase, following the acquisitions of Coding Minutes and Coding Elements last year.