How to Build an Education Platform That Supports People Through Different Stages of Life
From exam prep to lifelong learning: how Sotka's founder is betting edtech's future is continuous, not one-off.
Over the past few years, the online education market has transformed from niche courses to extensive ecosystems supporting individuals through various life stages. Timur Ibragimov, founder and CEO of the education platform Sotka, is one of the entrepreneurs shaping this shift. Starting with exam preparation for school students, Ibragimov's platform now serves over 70,000 customers annually, generating annual revenues exceeding $25 million.
Ibragimov explains why the future of education extends beyond individual courses and why edtech companies are evolving.
Most education platforms limit themselves to one product or stage of a customer's life due to the market's development. Companies initially focused on solving specific problems, such as exam preparation or professional skills. However, this approach has limitations, as it views individuals through the lens of specific products rather than their life paths. Ibragimov believes the winning companies will be those that learn to support people through different life stages.
The evolution in Ibragimov's thinking began gradually. Initially, the platform focused on preparatory exams for university entrance. Later, they introduced an all-in-one model combining preparation for multiple subjects. As they expanded, they asked themselves why they couldn't help younger students with exam preparation and later tracks for professional tracks. This led to the launch of tracks for students in grades 1 through 8 and the development of technology platforms catering to younger students.
As demand for new skills doesn't end after school, Ibragimov expanded the platform's offerings to include tracks in artificial intelligence, content creation, design, programming, and other in-demand areas. The development of the platform is gradually turning into a lifelong process as the pace of change in the world increases. New technologies, tools, and employer requirements appear regularly, making continuous improvement a necessity.
Traditional education models selling education as a one-off service are limited, as they end when a customer's problem is solved. Ibragimov considers this model outdated, emphasizing the importance of creating long-term value. He explains that the platform's professional tracks are designed to retain access to materials and regularly update tools needed to master them.
Technology evolves rapidly, rendering information from years ago obsolete. Thus, the company's job is not only to provide materials but also to keep them current.
Despite the age differences, the core problem remains the same for all users: moving to the next level of their capabilities. School students aim to get into university, university students seek initial professional skills, and adults pursue career changes or skill upgrades. The tools may differ, but the underlying logic remains consistent.
In ten years, Ibragimov envisions education platforms gradually merging the boundaries between different digital education products. Instead of separate courses or programs, they will become systems supporting users over time, providing concrete results and clear paths to achieve them.
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