Nurtr

Nurtr is an online skilling and mentoring platform with an initial focus on chess, founded in 2015 by Dharmendra Yashovardhan, Himanshu Srivastava, and Meenakshi Kameshwar Prasad. The company launched its first course in June 2018, aiming to solve the problem of access to high-quality course content and world-class mentors in extracurricular activities. While chess was its first vertical, Nurtr's broader vision is to become a comprehensive, data-driven career skilling and mentoring company.

Based in Gurugram, India, the platform provides an online chess academy offering cinematic video lessons, live courses, and one-on-one sessions with top Grandmasters and trainers from around the world. The service is delivered through various formats, including the 'Dream Room', which provides over 40 hours of comprehensive content, Video on Demand, and live camps. The business model operates on a subscription basis, where an annual membership grants users access to all courses within their selected plan. The company caters to a global audience, with subscribers from numerous countries.

Nurtr has raised a total of $1.35 million over three seed funding rounds. Its latest round in October 2018 raised $1.24 million, led by UDGAM, and included participation from institutional investors like Rebright Partners and Singapore Angel Network, as well as several angel investors. The company faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic when a major investment fell through, but it has since worked to revive the business and relaunch its streaming platform with an improved user interface and new membership plans.

Keywords: online skilling, chess education, e-learning platform, mentoring, extracurricular activities, Grandmaster coaching, online courses, EdTech, skill development, chess training, video lessons, live classes, career skilling, personal development, online academy, chess strategy, chess tactics, professional mentoring, global learning