College student Sayooj, who mentors IAS aspirants, secures Rs 1 lakh seed fund from Kannur University
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Kasaragod: Sayooj S Chandran, an undergraduate student who hit the headlines in June after he bought a Rs 10-lakh car by teaching IAS aspirants, has officially become an entrepreneur.
Sayooj, a third-year microbiology student at St Pius X College, Rajapuram in Kasaragod, has registered his online academy as a start-up with Kannur University's Innovation and Incubation Foundation (KU-IIF).
The university's foundation granted Rs 1 lakh as seed fund to Sayooj's 'SC IAS Academy' on Thursday, January 9, said U Faisal, director of KU-IIF and Professor of the Department of Management Studies, Kannur University.
"The seed fund was awarded considering his status as a student entrepreneur and the inspiring potential of his venture," said Prof Faisal. The seed fund was provided by KU-IIF's Chief Mentor and CEO of Rediff.com Ajith Balakrishnan.
St Pius X College Principal Dr Biju Joseph congratulated Sayooj for setting a model for student life. On June 29, Onmanorama reported Sayooj's double life as a successful online teacher.
An IAS aspirant and avid reader of newspapers, Sayooj initially started a YouTube channel "to share what I learned with other aspirants so that I would not forget what I learned. A way to revise." But soon the channel caught on with the civil service aspirants online.
His classes began delving into current affairs, the civil service aptitude test (CSAT), history, geography, and general Studies. His students included college teachers, government clerks, IT professionals, chemical engineers, homemakers and college-goers. In one year, he earned enough money to buy a car for Rs 10 lakh, paying the entire amount upfront.
Sayooj, who will appear for his first Civil Service Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in May 2025, is elated on recognition from the university's Innovation and Incubation Foundation.
"Kannur University gave me this offer to register my academy as a startup because I am a student. It not only comes with office space but also opens a window to raise funds to scale up my venture," he told Onmanorama.