<p><span class="p-body">According to NYU SPS Adjunct Instructor Jack Perry, the market—and need—for educational books in India is enormous. “The market is dominated by established corporate worldwide giants Oxford and Macmillian, among others.” Perry pointed out that despite the competitive marketplace, there is still room for new and innovative companies in this market sector in India, as demonstrated by NYU SPS Keshav Bansal’s Capstone Project.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Under the faculty guidance of Perry, Bansai, an MS in Publishing: Digital and Print Media graduate student, unveiled his new-age educational publishing company Curio Publishing at the NYU SPS Capstone Fair 2023–2024. Keshav sees his company as a pioneer in the blended learning space, with a mission to develop a new era of integrated educational products targeted towards students between the ages of three and eleven. This market segment encompasses playschool, kindergarten, and grades one to five, representing a significant market in India.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Bansal's project aims to ensure their content aligns perfectly with the latest The National Education Policy and the National Curriculum Framework requirements, promoting integrated learning that reduces exam pressure and encourages a holistic approach. He seeks to go beyond just academics and integrate child psychology into the content creation process by strongly emphasizing social-emotional learning (SEL). Using creative storytelling and marketing strategies, Bansal sought to influence parents toward a more well-rounded educational experience for children. This holistic approach prioritizes not just academic achievement but SEL, valuing diversity, inclusion, and fostering creative freedom.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">The education system in India is a vast and diverse landscape. In India, more than 28,000 schools follow the Central Board of Secondary Education and Indian Certificate of Secondary Education board-certified curricula, and another 25,000 affordable state-run schools have the financial capacity to purchase quality educational materials, like Curio’s offerings.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">“Keshav was a very strong researcher, and that was part of the key to his success. He looked at the good and the bad, including building his company’s fundamentals and developing the unique value proposition that would help guide the business’s success,” said Perry. While the market is dominated by huge players who might look to squash any competition, the challenge is one worth investing in a company like Curio Publishing.”</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body"><a href="/content/sps-nyu/experience/how-youll-learn/consulting-practicums.html">NYU School of Professional Studies’ Capstone Program</a> provides graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in complex, real-world environments. The final product exemplifies the volume and depth of theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom. Held each spring, the annual Capstone Fair features projects that embody the School's innovative spirit. We invite students graduating in the spring and fall and summer graduates to participate. Students apply via form, and faculty can nominate individuals or teams.</span></p>