In a major boost to Tamil Nadu’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, study abroad platform Leap has successfully raised $65 million in Series E funding, led by UK-based Apis Partners through its Growth Markets Fund III and Global Growth Fund III. The latest funding round, which includes both primary and secondary equity components, also saw participation from existing investors Owl Ventures, Jungle Ventures, and Peak XV Partners.
The investment marks a significant milestone for the Chennai-headquartered company, which has now raised over $200 million in total equity since its inception in 2019. This latest funding round demonstrates the continued investor confidence in Leap’s comprehensive international student mobility platform, which operates under brands including LeapScholar, LeapFinance, GeeBee, and Yocket.
Udayan Goyal, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Apis Partners, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We have been very impressed with the rate at which Leap has already scaled since inception, serving thousands of students across 10 countries. This new partnership offers Apis an exciting opportunity to support Leap as it further expands its reach and continues to make a difference to its target demographics.”
The platform has witnessed remarkable growth, with Co-founder Vaibhav Singh highlighting a 5X expansion since their Series D funding two years ago. This growth is attributed to Leap’s innovative approach of combining human expertise with AI-powered tools to provide personalized guidance and solutions for international students. The platform has successfully served over one million students and established partnerships with more than 1,000 educational institutions worldwide.
Co-founder Arnav Kumar emphasized the platform’s technological advancement, noting, “Having built the underlying infrastructure for global student mobility, Leap has now proven scale across multiple dimensions. We have launched many industry-first products and experiences to make the student journey seamless.” Kumar also highlighted the potential impact of the current AI revolution in accelerating the refinement and expansion of their existing offerings.
The company’s comprehensive service portfolio includes counseling services, visa assistance, education loans, and various financial products designed specifically for international students. “Having funded close to $200m in student loans and secured partnerships with thousands of universities globally and counting, Leap is the de facto platform that students from around the world are relying on to help make their education study abroad dreams a reality,” said Amit Patel, Managing Director of Owl Ventures.
For Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem, this funding represents a significant validation of the state’s potential to nurture global-scale enterprises. The success of Leap demonstrates the region’s capability to build technology-driven solutions that address complex international challenges while creating substantial economic value. The company’s growth trajectory and international expansion serve as an inspiration for other startups in the region, particularly in the edtech and fintech sectors.
The transaction was facilitated by Avendus Capital, which served as the exclusive financial advisor to Leap and its shareholders. This funding round follows the company’s $75 million Series D round led by Owl Ventures in 2022, indicating sustained investor interest in Leap’s growth story.
