From Kraków with Love: How Three Founders Solved Homework Hassles Worldwide

Ever get stuck on a homework problem and wish there was an easier way to get help? That’s exactly what Michał Borkowski, Tomasz Kraus, and Łukasz Haluch thought in 2009. These three Polish entrepreneurs founded Brainly because they wanted to solve the age-old problem of students struggling to find the right support at the right time.

Meet the Founders

• Michał Borkowski, Brainly’s CEO, comes from a business background. He graduated from the SGH Warsaw School of Economics with a degree in corporate finance. Inspired by his parents, who were small-scale entrepreneurs, Michał was encouraged to take risks and pursue big ideas. So he started his first venture in the education technology space while he was still in college. (Michał Borkowski)
• Tomasz Kraus, the tech brain behind Brainly, is an entrepreneur with a passion for technology and product development. He served as the CTO during Brainly’s early days. Before Brainly, Tomasz co-founded and invested in several companies such as Joymile, Allani, etc. His background in engineering and technology was crucial to shaping Brainly’s early platform. Today, Tomasz continues to pursue other entrepreneurial ventures, leveraging his deep expertise in tech​. (Tomasz Kraus)
• Łukasz Haluch, the third co-founder, has a Masters degree in Information Technology & Econometrics from Wyższa Szkoła Informatyki. He is a serial entrepreneur who also founded Picodi, Paralos Curiosos and IT Developers s.c.. (Łukasz Haluch)

The Founding Story

The idea for Brainly was sparked by a simple frustration. Michał, Tomasz, and Łukasz saw how many students struggled with homework. Many didn’t have access to tutors or extra help outside of school. So, they thought, why not create an online community where students could help each other? The idea was to make education collaborative and accessible to all, regardless of location or resources.

They launched Brainly in 2009 from Kraków, Poland. The platform started as a simple Q&A site for students to ask homework questions and get answers from their peers. As it grew, the founders realized the power of technology in education. That’s when they started incorporating AI to improve the platform, turning it into the smart learning assistant we know today. 

Over time, however, both Łukasz and Tomasz left the company to pursue other ventures, leaving Michał Borkowski as the primary leader of the company. Today, Brainly continues to thrive with over 350 million users, making it a key player in the educational technology space.

Global EdTech Market: The Future of Learning Has Arrived

The global EdTech market is exploding! By 2034, the market is projected to hit an astounding $411.6 billion, driven by rising demand for digital learning and innovative technologies like AI, AR, and VR. In 2024 alone, the market is valued at over $108 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3%​. (Future Market Insights)

North America leads the pack, holding 37% of the market share in 2023, largely due to its robust technological infrastructure and the widespread adoption of educational tools. The Asia-Pacific region, however, is catching up quickly, with China and India driving substantial growth thanks to government initiatives and a surge in venture funding.

Corporate training is a major player, with over 70% of companies adopting online programs to upskill their workforce. K-12 education also dominates, accounting for 55% of EdTech adoption. Companies like Coursera and Duolingo are  leading the charge globally. (GlobalData)

The rapid shift from in-person to digital learning post-pandemic has cemented EdTech’s importance in modern education, with personalized learning and gamification tools enhancing student outcomes​. As we look toward the future, it’s clear that the global EdTech market will continue to thrive, reshaping how we learn at all levels.

About Brainly: A Mission to Make the World One Big Study Group

Mission and Vision

Brainly’s mission is clear: make education more accessible and collaborative for everyone, regardless of their location. They want to create a platform where students, teachers, and parents can work together to solve homework problems and learn from one another. The vision? To turn the world into a giant classroom where learning never stops.

Problems They Solve

Brainly tackles a huge issue in education—lack of access to personalized learning. Many students struggle to get help outside of school hours or find affordable tutoring options. Brainly bridges this gap by offering peer-to-peer learning, where students can ask questions and get answers from a global community. Through AI-driven technology, Brainly also provides real-time, step-by-step help with difficult subjects, making education more efficient and engaging.

Business Model

Brainly runs on a freemium model. This means basic access to its platform is free, allowing anyone to join the learning community. However, for those looking for an ad-free experience or faster answers, Brainly offers a premium subscription service called Brainly Plus. This premium model helps sustain the platform while ensuring access remains open to millions of students worldwide. Brainly also generates revenue from advertising and partnerships with educational content providers​.

Full Portfolio : Scan, Snap, Solve! From AI tutors to math wizards

When it comes to helping students ace their homework, Brainly doesn’t hold back. From interactive tutors to AI-powered solutions, Brainly has built an impressive portfolio of features across their web and mobile platforms that make learning easier, faster, and much more engaging. (Brainly App)

Textbook Solutions

One of Brainly’s standout features is its Textbook Solutions. Brainly offers solutions to problems from thousands of popular textbooks, providing detailed, step-by-step explanations for every question. Students can search by textbook title or ISBN to find the exact solutions they need, making it easier to understand difficult concepts directly from their school materials. These solutions are curated and verified by experts to ensure accuracy and quality​. (Textbook Solutions)

AI Tutor

At the core of Brainly’s offering is its AI Tutor, a smart feature designed to give step-by-step explanations of tricky questions. Students can ask for guidance on a variety of subjects, from math to science, and the AI Tutor breaks down the problem into digestible pieces. It is built using OpenAI’s GPT-4 technology. When students ask questions, the AI taps into a massive knowledge base of over 250 million verified answers. These answers are curated by Brainly’s community of students and experts, ensuring accuracy and quality​. (AI Tutor)

Test Prep

One of the newest additions to the Brainly lineup is Test Prep, an AI-powered tool that takes the stress out of exam preparation. Test Prep allows students to pick a few example questions based on the topic you’re studying. With auto-generated practice questions and explanations, it offers a more efficient way to prepare for exams. (Test Prep)

Homework Help

Brainly’s original and most popular feature is its homework help platform. The platform is community-driven, allowing students to post questions and receive answers from their peers or verified experts. With over 250 million answers in its knowledge base, students have access to a wealth of information at their fingertips.

Expert-Verified Answers

While the community-based approach works well, Brainly also provides expert-verified answers for those looking for accuracy and reliability. These answers are vetted by subject matter experts, giving students the confidence they need for their studies. (Expert Verified Answers)

Scan to Solve

Need help with a specific math problem? Scan to Solve is one of Brainly’s standout features. Students can take a picture of a math equation, and the platform will instantly convert the image into text format which could be posted to the community for answers or sent to an expert. This tool is a lifesaver for students who struggle with complex math questions​.

Interactive Quizzes and Flashcards

Brainly also features interactive quizzes and flashcards, which are useful for exam prep and reinforcing learning. Students can customize these tools to suit their specific study needs and track their progress along the way.

Gamification and Rewards

Brainly adds a fun element to learning through gamification. Students earn points, badges, and rewards for asking questions, answering others, and being active members of the community.

Parent and Teacher Resources

Finally, Brainly offers additional support for parents and teachers. These resources help monitor student progress, making the platform a valuable tool both in and out of the classroom. They also have support for homeschooling. (For Teachers) (For Parents)

Impact and Collaborations : Scoring straight A’s with AI-driven solutions

Brainly isn’t just changing how students learn—it’s transforming the education sector itself. With over 350 million users across 35 countries, Brainly is the world’s largest learning platform. The platform is free to join, which helps millions of students who cannot afford private tutors or supplemental learning resources. By democratizing education, Brainly is ensuring that no student gets left behind, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic background​.

Brainly’s AI tools have significantly impacted student outcomes, with 62.2% of users confirming that AI explanations enhance their understanding of complex subjects. In addition, Brainly’s successful campaigns and interviews, including features on Fox News, have earned it significant media attention and helped position it as a go-to source for AI in education.

By working closely with companies like OpenAI and other AI innovators, Brainly leverages cutting-edge tools like GPT-4 to enhance its AI Tutor and personalized learning solutions. Brainly collaborates with educational institutions, content publishers, and subject matter experts to ensure its solutions remain accurate and trustworthy.

Cashing in on Brain Power: How Brainly Scored Millions in EdTech

Brainly’s growth story is backed by some serious funding. With support from major investors, the company has raised substantial capital through multiple funding rounds to fuel its global expansion. Here’s a breakdown of Brainly’s funding journey: (Tracxn)

Dec 17, 2020 – Series D

Brainly secured $81 million in a Series D round. This round was led by institutional investors like Prosus, Runa Capital, General Catalyst, Manta Ray Ventures, and Learn Capital. 

Sep 14, 2020 – Series C

In this round, Brainly raised $23.7 million. Investors included Accor, Thélem Insurance, and Monnoyeur, which provided significant backing as Brainly continued to scale its operations globally​.

Jul 25, 2019 – Series C

Earlier in 2019, Brainly raised $30.7 million in another Series C round. Key investors included Naspers, Runa Capital, and Manta Ray Ventures.

Jun 01, 2017 – Series B

With $14 million raised in Series B, Brainly attracted the interest of Kulczyk Investments and Naspers. 

May 13, 2016 – Series B

In 2016, Brainly secured another $15 million in funding, led by Naspers, Kulczyk Investments, General Catalyst, and Learn Capital.

Sep 12, 2012 – Seed Round

The company’s journey began with a modest $500,000 seed round from Point Nine, laying the foundation for Brainly’s early success.

Revenue Growth

Brainly’s revenue has grown impressively in recent years. In 2021, the company generated $10.9 million in revenue, which surged to $28.1 million by 2023. This rapid revenue growth is a testament to Brainly’s successful expansion and the increasing demand for AI-powered learning tools​. (Latka SaaS Database)

Wrapping : Brainly’s Bright Future—No Need to “Cram”

Brainly AI is shaping the future of learning. With its AI-powered tools, it brings personalized, real-time help to millions of students globally. By bridging the gap between traditional education and advanced technology, Brainly is making quality education more accessible.

The platform’s journey, from a small startup in Poland to a global leader, reflects its strong mission and vision. Brainly has consistently evolved, integrating innovative AI solutions to solve real educational problems.

If Brainly’s journey proves anything, it’s that a simple idea can revolutionize an entire industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a global leader in EdTech, Brainly has shown that with the right tools and determination, anything is possible.

Now, it’s your turn. Do you have an idea that could make a difference? Don’t let it sit on the back burner. Start working on it today, and who knows? You could be the next disruptor in your field.And if you’re interested in learning more about innovative companies like Brainly, check out Venture Kites for more insightful articles. Discover how other businesses are transforming industries with creativity and technology.