Ruang guru is Indonesia’s biggest educational tech startup. Ruang guru seems to have a goal to become the greatest edtech startup. Having rasied a blockbluster US$150 million funding last year, Ruang guru has shown that education technology is a promising startup in Indonesia.
The company increased its earnings four times last year, but it found its losses sixfold. In fact, advertising and marketing expenses were the highest.
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Exploring the numbers behind Indonesia’s Biggest Edtech
Ruang guru probably has everything that you need. This edtech startup owns products, ranging from an online learning platform for K-12 students to a private tutor-focused marketplace. It set US$16 million in revenue and US$32 million in losses last year.
Based on TechinAsia, for Advertising and marketing, Ruang guru went fancy last year. It hired celebrities as brand ambassadors. Furthermore, Ruanng guru also run TV commercials and several TV shows on primetime slots. This caused its advertising and marketing expenses to go up seven times from the previous year, amounting to more than US$28 million in 2019.
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Ruang guru also spent a lot of money for staff payment. Not only did its staff expenditure triple in 2019, but Ruang guru also spent almost US$5 million on “selling expenses,” which usually includes commissions and travel expenses incurred by sales staff.
Moreover, ruang guru is also loaded with cash. It raised US$150 million last year and has a cash pile of US$76 million at the end of 2019.
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