Kush Beejal’s story is one of quiet determination and purposeful return. From humble Rajasthan roots and a village school without a proper roof, to co-founding NeoStencil, scaling accessible education, leading at Unacademy after its acquisition, and now building Degreemaster.ai in Jaipur- his journey shows what happens when real-life gaps meet strong preparation and a desire to fix systems from within.
In an era where many chase quick exits and hype, Kush chose a different path- one rooted in accessibility, outcomes, and long-term impact, especially for Tier-2 and Tier-3 India.
Roots That Grounded Him: Rajasthan Simplicity and Family Values
Kush grew up in a middle-class family with strong ties to Karauli, Rajasthan. His early education began in a basic village school- often without a proper roof- before the family moved through smaller towns and eventually settled in Jaipur. He completed schooling at Maheshwari Public School.
These formative years gave him a front-row view of India’s education realities. Quality coaching meant expensive relocation to places like Kota or Delhi, a barrier for most families. This lived experience became the foundation of his future work. Family emphasis on discipline, service, and contribution- including links to public institutions like medical education initiatives- shaped his values of humility and practical problem-solving. Hindi and the local Braj dialect helped him stay connected to the real Bharat he wanted to serve.
Academic Excellence as Preparation: IIT Bombay to IIM Calcutta
Kush pursued Chemical Engineering at IIT Bombay, followed by management studies at IIM Calcutta. These institutions sharpened his analytical thinking, strategic skills, and execution mindset. Like many peers, he briefly explored the UPSC path, but the urge to build something scalable and meaningful proved stronger.
His brother, Dr. Love Beejal– an AIIMS and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus with expertise in medicine, coding, and administration- became the ideal co-founder. Their combined strengths created a powerful blend of domain knowledge and business execution.
The Spark: Founding NeoStencil and Democratizing Education (2014-15)
In 2014-15, the brothers launched NeoStencil from Gurugram with a clear mission: deliver live online classes for UPSC, SSC, and other government exams so students in smaller towns and cities could prepare without migrating.
They partnered with experienced teachers and over 100 coaching institutes, building a portfolio of 500+ courses. The focus remained on real outcomes rather than hype. By 2018-19, NeoStencil had generated around ₹10 crore in revenue with roughly 4,500 paid students, contributed to hundreds of UPSC selections, and helped many traditional institutes move online. Kush led business development and operations, eventually as CEO. The 2020 pandemic further validated their early vision of borderless, affordable education.
The Unacademy Chapter: Acquisition, Leadership, and Key Learnings
In December 2020, Unacademy acquired NeoStencil to strengthen its presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 India. Kush stayed on to ensure smooth integration and later served as Vice President, working closely with the founding team. He has often described this period as an exciting, high-energy learning experience- like being part of a driven team chasing ambitious goals.
The acquisition provided financial stability and exposure to large-scale operations. After about 1.5 to 2 years, in 2022, he chose to move on, carrying valuable lessons about sustainable building versus rapid scaling pressures.
Full Circle: Degreemaster.ai and Returning to Rajasthan Roots
In 2022, Kush founded Degreemaster Technologies Private Limited (Degreemaster.ai) in Jaipur’s Malviya Nagar, along with co-founder Manish Nair. The company focuses on production-grade AI/ML solutions, workflow automation, document intelligence, and digital platforms- primarily for government organizations and large institutions in education and governance sectors.
His approach is captured in his own words: building things that fix broken systems, especially where few others look. By basing the venture in Jaipur, Kush has come full circle- bringing advanced technology back to his home state to drive meaningful change at the grassroots level. He also mentors young entrepreneurs at institutions like JECRC University and actively shares practical insights as an angel investor.
Lessons from a Purpose-Driven Builder
Kush Beejal’s journey offers clear takeaways:
- Solve problems you have personally witnessed.
- Prioritize real outcomes and sustainability over short-term hype.
- Let your roots and values guide big decisions- including the courage to return home with better tools.
- Corporate and acquisition experiences can become strategic assets when channeled with clarity.
His path proves that preparation, patience, and purpose create lasting impact.
About the Founder
Kush Beejal is the Founder & CEO of Degreemaster.ai. A Chemical Engineering graduate from IIT Bombay and IIM Calcutta alumnus, he previously co-founded NeoStencil (acquired by Unacademy) and served as Vice President there. Originally from Rajasthan, he is passionate about accessible education and fixing systemic gaps through technology. Follow his work on LinkedIn (@kushbeejal)
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This article is published under TrendyTalks.in’s Founder Authority Series. The content is independently researched and written for editorial purposes only. It does not constitute advertising, endorsement, or paid promotion. Facts based on public profiles, interviews, and verified records.