Sandeep Jain, Founder & CEO of GeeksforGeeks and an IIT Roorkee alumnus, built the platform from his own experience of overcoming the pressures of chasing prestigious college tags. Coming from a municipal school in Uttar Pradesh and later a tier-3 college, Sandeep cracked IIT only to realize that success doesn't rely on university labels. Determined to help students reach their full potential without the burden of these insecurities, he began writing blog articles on coding, algorithms, and interview preparation. While working as a software developer and professor, he ran GeeksforGeeks as a side project, funding server costs with his own salary for five years.
In 2015, Sandeep transitioned to GeeksforGeeks full-time. Today, the platform is a community of over 400 employees. GeeksforGeeks stands out as the ultimate one-stop solution for engineers by offering an extensive array of resources. From comprehensive articles and tutorials on various topics to hands-on practice with coding challenges and competitive contests, we cover all aspects of learning.
In an exclusive interview with Nitish Raj; Editor-in-Chief, Today Magazine the dynamic entrepreneur talks about the various facades of the EdTech Industry along with his incredible journey.
Q.1: How would you portray your journey and transition from being a technocrat to becoming a CEO of an EdTech Company?
SJ: My journey from being a technocrat to becoming the CEO of GeeksforGeeks has been deeply personal and purpose-driven. It started with my own struggles—despite not making it into a Tier 1 college, I persevered and secured a position at D.E. Shaw, which eventually led me to discover my passion for teaching as an Assistant Professor at JIIT Noida. During this time, I witnessed firsthand how students were struggling to find reliable content for coding and interview preparation. That’s when I realized I could make a real difference.
What began as a simple blog aimed at helping students has evolved into a comprehensive platform that addresses key pain points in technical education. My transition from a technocrat, deeply focused on problem-solving, to a CEO involved learning how to scale these solutions, build a business, and make education accessible to millions. Today, GeeksforGeeks not only serves students and professionals but also offers business solutions like technical training and employee development. The transition required a shift from focusing solely on technology to leading a company that impacts the careers of individuals and the performance of industries. At its core, however, my passion for teaching and solving problems remains the driving force behind both my journey and the platform’s growth.
Q.2: Having been a faculty at Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, how has your teaching experience been instrumental in creating the content for GeeksforGeeks?
SJ: My teaching experience at Jaypee Institute of Information Technology played a crucial role in shaping the content for GeeksforGeeks. Interacting with students firsthand allowed me to understand the common challenges they faced in grasping complex concepts. I realized that simplifying topics and providing clear, structured explanations were key to effective learning. This insight helped me design the content on GeeksforGeeks to be student-friendly, focusing on breaking down difficult problems into manageable steps. It also gave me the ability to anticipate learners’ needs and create resources that cater to both beginners and advanced coders.
Q.3: What were your challenges in the initial stage of the entrepreneurial journey which you relate as easily solvable today in the blink of an eye?
SJ: In the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey with GeeksforGeeks, several challenges seemed daunting but are now easily solvable with the benefit of experience. One of the biggest hurdles was managing the platform's technical scalability. As the platform grew, maintaining performance and ensuring a smooth user experience was a constant struggle. Today, with access to better technology and cloud solutions, scaling infrastructure is no longer a significant issue and can be handled swiftly.
Another challenge was finding the right team. In the beginning, assembling a group of like-minded individuals who shared my vision took time. Now, with a clear organizational culture and more refined hiring practices, building a team that aligns with our goals has become a streamlined process. Marketing and outreach were also hurdles back then—I relied heavily on word-of-mouth and organic growth. Today, with the availability of data-driven digital marketing tools, reaching our target audience is far more efficient and precise. What seemed like massive obstacles at the time are now routine tasks, solvable with the right systems and strategies in place.
Q.4: Do you think your small-town upbringing has helped you in understanding the psychology of the students, and in what ways?
SJ: Yes, my small-town upbringing has definitely helped shape my understanding of the students' psychology. Coming from a similar background, I understand the challenges students face, such as limited access to resources, mentorship, and exposure to opportunities. This drives my focus on making GeeksforGeeks a platform that is accessible, affordable, and student-friendly.
As a Founder, I emphasize the importance of simplifying complex topics and ensuring that learning is engaging, relatable, and not intimidating. We work to provide high-quality content that empowers students to bridge the gap between their ambitions and their circumstances, and we aim to create a sense of community where they can seek guidance, ask questions, and grow—no matter where they're from.
Q.5: In the scenario of EdTech Companies being hugely funded by global investors, how do you think GeeksforGeeks will tackle the intense competition?
SJ: A major challenge surfaced: intense competition. The ed-tech sector was expanding rapidly, with many companies spending heavily on marketing. In a landscape dominated by well-funded competitors who could afford to burn cash to amplify their presence, we remained steadfast with our modest budget. Our primary goal was always to deliver value and quality to our audience, a commitment that helped us build a loyal user base. Despite numerous acquisition offers, we have proudly remained a bootstrapped company. Our journey reflects our dedication to our community and our belief in the power of providing valuable, quality content.
Q.6: With the high reliability of EdTech Companies on the accessibility of the internet and smartphones, how do you plan to reach the students in small towns and villages?
SJ: At GeeksforGeeks, we are committed to reaching students in small towns and villages by optimizing our platform for low-bandwidth areas, offering offline learning solutions, and adopting a mobile-first approach. By focusing on accessibility and localized content, we aim to ensure that quality education is available to all, regardless of location or internet speed.
Q.7: Is GeeksforGeeks focused on enriching the existing courses available currently or is it geared up to expand and increase them?
SJ: Us as GeeksforGeeks, we are excited to scale our business across all education sectors. While we've primarily focused on computer science, we're eager to expand into other in-demand areas of learning, including schools, medical fields, and more. Our vision is to make quality education accessible to everyone, no matter where they are. By diversifying our offerings, we aim to reach more learners and increase our overall traffic. We're committed to continuing our mission of providing valuable and affordable education and helping students from all walks of life achieve their dreams.
The next five years are all about growth and expansion, and we can't wait to embark on this journey with our community.
Q.8: What would be your words of wisdom to the young entrepreneurs?
SJ: Just focus on solving real problems and stay persistent. The journey is rarely a straight line—expect setbacks and failures, but don’t let them stop you. Start with a clear purpose that drives your passion, because entrepreneurship requires both patience and resilience. Second, always prioritize learning. The market, technology, and customer needs will constantly evolve, and so should you. And of course, don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. The biggest opportunities often come from stepping out of your comfort zone.
