Introduction
In an ambitious effort to transform education accessibility in India, Chennai-based musician and educator Anil Srinivasan founded Kruu, a startup that brings Harvard-level academic guidance to students in underserved regions such as Madurai. Inspired by his own medical crisis and observations on empathy and learning, Anil’s venture emphasizes project-based, real-world education facilitated by global experts.
Anil Srinivasan’s Inspiration During a Medical Crisis
In 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anil Srinivasan faced a mysterious medical emergency. Despite extensive treatment, doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause of his condition, leading some to doubt his chances of survival. Remarkably, Anil remained transparent about his struggles and committed to his recovery.
During this period, he noticed a striking difference in the empathy shown by doctors trained in India compared to those educated abroad, raising questions about the perceived value of prestigious foreign degrees.
Rethinking Education Access
While recuperating, Anil reflected on the disparity in educational opportunities. Why do only a privileged few have access to world-class educators while many talented students are left behind? With his extensive network of scholars from reputed institutions worldwide, he envisioned a platform connecting these experts directly with students in regions like Srikulam and Madurai.
Launching Kruu: Bridging Theory with Practice
In 2022, Anil launched Kruu—meaning “to do” in Tamil—as a response to Indian education’s heavy focus on theory at the expense of practical learning.
Kruu caters to students from 6th to 12th grade, offering interactive lectures complemented by weekly projects. Esteemed professors from Oxford, IIT Madras, and the National University of Singapore not only oversee but actively participate alongside students, offering personalized mentorship.
Hands-On Learning with Global Mentorship
“Education should combine lectures with ongoing, active learning through projects, not just tests.” — Anil Srinivasan
Students engage in real-world projects such as creating maps using remote sensing data with guidance from a University of California professor located 13,000 km away. Elsewhere, students from Tanzania, Qatar, and Sri Lanka examine media bias under a Syracuse University expert, while others research sustainability under IIT Madras mentorship. This global approach enriches the learning experience beyond geographical boundaries.
From Music to Educational Innovation
Although renowned as a pianist blending Carnatic music with piano, Anil identifies as an educator—a role he embraced serendipitously. His previous startup, Rhapsody, integrated music into early-grade science and math education. Kruu represents a natural evolution, drawing on his Columbia University research experience and his current faculty role at Kria University.
Through experimentation, Anil found that passive video content alone fails to engage students effectively, reinforcing the need for active project participation.
Design Thinking and Mentorship Model
Kruu’s platform employs design thinking methodologies where students conduct research, brainstorm, prototype, test, and analyze data. They produce artistic projects and communicate their findings with clarity.
Live mentors include experts such as Ashwin Mahalingam from IIT Madras, Arena Arun Jain from Indellect Design, Wish Krishnan from University of California, and professors from Singapore and Ashoka University. Projects range from smart home technologies powered by data to sustainable design and civic leadership initiatives.
Anil stresses that problem-solving abilities exist in every student regardless of prior skills or talents.
Unexpected and Encouraging Outcomes
The program has yielded surprising results: girls often complete projects faster than boys, students from smaller towns outperform their urban counterparts, and many top performers come from average CBSE schools rather than elite institutions.
Anil notes, “While conventional education sees dropout rates as high as 60%, students in smaller towns demonstrate a strong desire to learn, focusing deeply with fewer distractions. Our best performers come from average schools, not just elite ones.” He highlights adolescence as a critical period when project-based training can decisively influence future paths.
Significance for Engineering and Higher Education
Given that numerous engineering students in India pursue degrees without fully grasping the discipline’s essence or possessing the necessary skills, Kruu’s hands-on educational model plays a crucial role.
The startup has expanded to serve over 450 schools across India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Vietnam, with 420 in India alone. More than 450,000 students have benefited. Schools typically subscribe to the service, while parents can also pay an annual fee of ₹3,500.
Kruu collaborates with universities globally. In Boston, partnerships allow access to project-based learning at Saint Louis University, featuring virtual tutors and skill-building classes. The Illinois Institute of Technology’s K2 Virtual Incubation Lab integrates similar initiatives.
Students across these programs address challenges in science, technology, design, and society under professor mentorship, while dialogues continue with other international universities.
College in the Cloud and Technological Innovations
Anil’s “College in the Cloud” offers project-driven higher education without traditional lectures, connecting students to international professors for mentorship. Participants earn certificates, internships, research opportunities, and startup incubation support. Disciplines span science, technology, mathematics, design, entrepreneurship, and social sciences.
Further enhancing innovation, Kruu is developing InvestEd, an AI-powered tool designed to evaluate startup ideas.
The Role of Creativity and Practical Advice
Sean Brangan, director of Syracuse University’s Digital Media Entrepreneurship Center, recently emphasized the importance of starting with available resources rather than waiting for ideal conditions. His masterclass underscored collaboration, incremental risks, and timely execution—principles Anil believes will leave lasting impressions on students.
In an era dominated by AI-generated quick answers, nurturing creativity and critical thinking remains indispensable.
A Journey Rooted in Music and Education
Anil Srinivasan’s conviction that authentic learning transpires through active engagement rather than passive absorption began in his music teaching days. Following his near-fatal health crisis, he transformed this belief into the entrepreneurial vision that is Kruu.
