Latest news with #AdhipRay
Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business Standard
This Indian Startup Wants to End the Factory School System - Here's How
PNN New Delhi [India], July 15: In a world where education increasingly resembles an assembly line, one Indian startup is quietly but fundamentally challenging the system. Debsie, founded by Adhip Ray, who is also the founder of a digital consultancy called WinSavvy, is on a mission to dismantle the outdated, test-centric, memorization-driven approach that defines most schooling -- and replace it with a learning model rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, and joy. "Children aren't machines. You can't just input textbook content and expect brilliance. That's not how creativity or intelligence works," says Adhip Ray, founder of Debsie. "We're done trying to make kids obedient. Debsie exists to help them become thinkers." The Indian education system, despite producing some of the brightest minds in the world, is still widely criticized for prioritizing scores over skills, compliance over curiosity, and conformity over independent thought. Debsie aims to flip that script. The Problem: Schools Aren't Broken. They Were Built This Way. For decades, education in India -- and much of the world -- has followed a linear model: * Rigid syllabi * Passive lectures * Tests that reward memorization over understanding * Students judged by speed, not depth * "Success" measured by exam marks, not mental models But the world has changed. Grok-4 can write code, Google can answer any fact, and corporate jobs demand creative thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership. And yet... schools haven't evolved. Debsie sees this firsthand. "When we looked at the top kids in conventional schools, we saw something strange. They were good at tests -- but struggled when asked to build, debate, or explore. That's when I realized the system wasn't helping them think -- it was just helping them comply," says Ray. This realization led to the birth of Debsie -- an experiment in flipping the classroom without throwing away structure entirely. Using Chess as the First Step Towards a Thinking-First Learning Platform Debsie is a learning platform for children that helps them break free from rote memorization and embrace independent thought. Its first course is chess -- not because of tradition, but because of its power to shape young minds. Through chess, children begin developing the habits that traditional education forgets: * Planning ahead * Dealing with uncertainty * Understanding cause and effect * Staying calm under pressure * And most importantly, learning to think before they act Debsie's classes are live, coach-led but peer centric, and centered on the child's cognitive growth rather than performance metrics. Group sessions are designed for healthy peer learning. One-on-one coaching is tailored to the student's pace and mindset. Classes are global, with students from Singapore, London, Abu Dhabi and Florida - enabling students to actually understand how multi-cultural thinking occurs. This is definitely about becoming a chess champion. But, in the process, it's also about becoming a sharper, more thoughtful human being. A Method That Challenges Everything Unlike conventional education models that fixate on curriculum coverage and exam scores, Debsie focuses on building thinking skills that cut across subjects and are especially crucial for future entrepreneurs and startup founders. Classes are designed around open-ended questions, scenario-based decision-making, mistake-friendly exploration, strategy and reflection. Every interaction is meant to trigger deeper thinking. Kids are encouraged to speak their mind, defend their reasoning, and stretch their imagination. There are no boring slides, no droning lectures. Just guided thinking, playing chess and competing against peers. How It Works Debsie sessions are delivered live via Microsoft Teams. Students can choose from a range of pricing plans to tailor it for their needs: * Group Chess Classes * 2 sessions per week in small groups * Pricing: ₹2,499 to ₹3,999/month * One-on-One Chess Track * Weekly tailored coaching * Pricing: ₹4,999 to ₹6,999/month * Advanced Chess Track * Intensive one-on-one coaching for ambitious learners * Pricing: ₹7,999 to ₹12,999/month Every student is onboarded through a free trial class, no strings attached. If the parent and child feel it's a fit, they can choose a plan. Otherwise, no obligation. What's Next? Debsie isn't building the next school. It's building the next generation of thinkers -- one move at a time. The startup will continue to refine its thinking-based model, build deeper personalization tools, keeping its focus on quality over quantity.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tech Startup Marketing: How To Get The Ball Rolling
Adhip Ray, is the founder of WinSavvy, a digital marketing consultancy for startups and professional service providers. Starting a tech firm can be akin to standing on the edge of a cliff with a jetpack on your back. You know there is a method to fly—but you also know that if you mess things up, you could fall hard. Marketing can serve as your ignition and propel you into the air fast. If you're uncertain how to get your marketing off the ground, here are four steps that I have found to be effective for tech startups. Many founders wait until their product is complete before communicating. In my experience, that is a mistake; it's important to start promoting the moment you start building. Why? Because people are more likely to care when you build in public. This can help attract your first 50-100 fans, potential users and possibly even early investors. Here are a few ways you can begin: • Start publishing about the experience on LinkedIn, including early mockups, pain issues you're addressing, and even failures. • Make unfiltered videos, such as founder updates, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes footage. • Create a landing page on Day 1 that provides interested people with a clear problem statement, one bold line explaining how your startup will fix the problem and a simple email grab box. If you don't use social media, you're invisible. It doesn't matter if you look weird on camera; be honest, be fast, and do not overthink it. People are drawn to authenticity. Many startup websites resemble a pitch deck: all about the product. In my experience, people don't care about the tools a company offers; they care about fixing their problem. So, instead of "features," prioritize deep, informative and straightforward content that addresses a certain issue. For example, when my team creates a development tool, we write blog posts with topics like "Why Your Frontend Keeps Breaking In Production (and How To Fix It)" or "How We Saved $1,200/mo By Switching From X To Y." These are not SEO fluff; these are tactical, problem-solving pieces that can address exactly what your ideal user searches for at 2 a.m. I have a simple strategy for this step: • Locate 10-15 subjects that are being searched online. You can do this with technologies such as Ahrefs or just Google Auto Suggest. • Write blog entries on those topics. I write blog entries as if I were emailing a friend who needs aid. You don't need to be elaborate—just be helpful. • Include one call-to-action (CTA) in each post. For example, you can include a button labeled "Try the tool" or "Join the waitlist." And yes, you can measure. I use Microsoft Clarity and Google Analytics to track which blog entries generate signups, which pages users leave and which pages convert visitors into leads. I've found that in most cases, tech startups don't need $10,000 in advertisements; they just need a little hustle. When I start a business, I spend the first few weeks doing manual outreach through DMs, emails and cold messages. However, don't send spammy messages. Find a niche. Let's imagine you're creating a tool for remote teams. Go to LinkedIn, Reddit and/or Slack groups—anywhere your target demographic hangs out—and seek folks discussing the problem you're solving. Message them with something like, "Hi, I noticed your comment regarding difficulty with setting up an email marketing campaign. I'm creating something around that. Do you want early access? This is not a pitch—it's a conversation starter. In my experience, 2-7 out of 100 messages get a response. Out of those, a decent fraction should try the product. And some of them can provide gold: comments, referrals and possibly even testimonials. Try to reach out to at least 100 people per day when you are starting out. This can help you gain early momentum without investing a dollar. Building what I refer to as a power loop has proven to be a gamechanger for me. Here is the idea: Instead of trying to gain each new user individually, create a system in which each new user attracts more users. I am not referring to a dull referral program—they rarely work this early in the process. I'm talking about designing your onboarding, sharing and product use so that it spreads naturally. For example, let's say you're creating a free tool or calculator to address a pain issue for a B2B SaaS firm, such as determining how much time their team wastes on bug triage. Within the tool, include a soft CTA to your main product (ex: "Want to change this? Try X."). You can also preload the "share" button with a brag-worthy result, such as: "Turns out our team wastes 17 hours/month fixing avoidable bugs—use this free tool to check yours." People who use the tool and find it valueable can use this button to share it with others. Sharing can attract additional individuals who will try the instrument. Of those, a certain percentage sign up for your main product. That's a power loop. I've used this tactic for hiring-scorecard generators, KPI dashboards and even "startup runway calculators," and I can say from experience that it works quite well. Bonus: If you execute this correctly, you can also gain backlinks and free SEO juice. I've found that journalists, bloggers and even forums enjoy linking to free resources. In my experience, most startups fail because they hide behind product development. They wait too long to tell their story. Or, worse, they talk but no one listens because there's no value. Marketing isn't about shouting; it's about helping the right people at the right time, then showing up again and again. Here's my personal checklist when I'm kicking off: • Am I documenting the build publicly and showing real progress? • Is my site solving problems, not pitching features? • Am I talking to users every day, even manually? • Is there at least one power loop running? If your answer to any of these is no, fix those areas first. As a tech startup, your edge is speed. So move fast and keep iterating! Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Business Insider
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Global School of Chess Announces 100 Full-Scholarship Seats for New Inclusivity & Awareness Camp
Santa Clara, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 25, 2025) - Global School of Chess has launched its new Inclusivity & Awareness Camp, inviting 100 students to experience a full month of premium chess training-at no cost. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This unique program is designed for families who are curious about the long-term value of chess and want their children to try structured coaching in a fun, low-pressure environment. The camp offers a one-time opportunity to explore high-quality lessons, expert mentorship, and real tournament experience—without needing to commit upfront. Each selected student will receive access to live, small-group coaching sessions led by certified chess instructors, weekly tournaments to practice and compete with peers, and interactive digital tools that make learning fun and easy to follow. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed for beginners and intermediate players alike, with a strong focus on building problem-solving skills, patience, and confidence. All participants will be placed into age- and skill-appropriate cohorts and will receive personal feedback throughout the program, along with a certificate of completion. This is not just a class—it's a full learning experience that gives students a glimpse into what long-term chess growth can look like, and a chance to discover whether the game could be a meaningful part of their academic and personal development. "Our mission is to position chess not just as a game but as a powerful equalizer," said Adhip Ray, Co-founder of Global School of Chess. " Chess builds critical thinking, confidence, and inclusivity in ways that transcend social and physical boundaries. With this initiative, we're empowering a new generation of thinkers, leaders, and changemakers." The Global School of Chess is also partnering with educational institutions and organizations, as part of its initiatives serving differently-abled individuals to ensure the program reaches those who will benefit most. Chess helps children improve focus, memory, patience, and even helps with reading and math skills. It also teaches kids how to plan, stay calm, and make good decisions. This new camp gives 100 students a chance to learn chess on a complimentary basis. Every child gets personal coaching, joins friendly tournaments, and learns at their own speed. Whether they are beginners or already great at chess, they'll be placed in the right group with kids just like them. Seats are limited to the first 100 registrants. Interested students and parents can visit the Global School of Chess website and sign up for the chess training class. Participants will be evaluated and placed in skill-appropriate cohorts, ensuring a personalized and enriching learning experience. Image 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: About Global School of Chess Global School of Chess is an online chess school for kids. It helps children become better thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders through fun and friendly chess lessons. The school has students from 9 different countries across 4 continents, and it welcomes kids from all kinds of backgrounds. Global School of Chess doesn't just teach how to move pieces on a board - it helps children become more focused, more confident, and more prepared for life. All coaches are trained and certified. They teach step by step, using stories, games, puzzles, and fun examples that make learning exciting and easy to follow. The program includes videos, puzzles, and live classes, so students stay engaged and never feel bored. The school offers scholarships, special programs for children with learning differences, and complimentary camps like this one. The goal is to make sure every child gets a chance to play chess and grow, no matter where they live. Today, Global School of Chess has students from the United States, India, Australia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, the Philippines, and the UAE. Some are brand new to the game, and others have already won trophies. But all of them are learning, improving, and becoming part of a growing global chess family.
