Vah Vah!, an online vocational education startup, has secured $1.85 million in seed funding from Sequoia Capital India’s accelerator program Surge. The company, founded by Shailesh Daxini, Eashwar Subbiah, and Akash Senapaty in October 2020, specializes in offering professional makeup and hairstyling courses to individuals seeking to enhance their skills and pursue careers in the beauty industry.

Bridging the Gap in Vocational Education

The scarcity of vocational schools often renders vocational training inaccessible or prohibitively expensive for many individuals, particularly those residing outside major urban centers. Vah Vah! aims to address this gap by providing high-quality vocational education that is easily accessible to anyone with a mobile phone and an internet connection. Through their platform, students can enroll in small batch courses and receive comprehensive learning kits to facilitate their learning experience.

Comprehensive Course Offerings and Support

Vah Vah! offers 22-day courses designed for individuals aspiring to build careers or establish their own entrepreneurial ventures in makeup artistry and hairstyling. Each course is meticulously crafted, and students benefit from the expertise of experienced beauty industry professionals who undergo specialized training to serve as instructors. Additionally, the platform provides career counseling and personalized mentorship sessions to empower students in their professional journey.

Tapping into a Growing Industry

With women constituting 90% of its student cohort and representing diverse regions across India, Vah Vah! aims to capitalize on the burgeoning beauty sector in the country. According to the National Skill Development Council of India, the beauty industry is poised for significant growth, with workforce demand projected to double and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30%. The platform’s expansion plans include diversifying its course offerings beyond makeup and hairstyling to cater to evolving market demands.

Surge’s Support and Cohort Dynamics

Vah Vah! is part of Surge’s fifth cohort, comprising 23 companies spanning various sectors, including fintech, payments, communications, logistics, and Software as a Service (SaaS). Surge, backed by Sequoia Capital India, has invested approximately $55 million in this cohort, signaling confidence in the potential of Vah Vah! and its fellow cohort members to drive innovation and address emerging market needs.

In conclusion, Vah Vah!’s seed funding from Surge underscores the growing demand for accessible and high-quality vocational education in the beauty industry. By leveraging digital platforms and experienced instructors, the startup aims to empower aspiring makeup artists and hairstylists across India, contributing to the sector’s growth and providing meaningful career opportunities for individuals seeking to enhance their skills.