Fundamentally, Indonesia has a motivation problem. A motivation and confidence problem. When kids are not motivated to begin with, how can you expect them to watch recorded content?
This week, we spoke with Nadine Freischlad from The Ken about CoLearn’s transition to an online-only model and their focus on student success.
In this interview with The Ken, Abhay Saboo (Co-Founder & CEO of CoLearn) breaks down how the Indonesian edtech startup pivoted during the pandemic, why live cohort-based learning beats pre-recorded video libraries, and how solving core student motivation is essential for transforming education in Southeast Asia.
Key points discussed in the interview:
7. The Pivotal decisive shift to pure online
When COVID-19 hit, CoLearn completely stopped physical center expansion. Recognizing that home-based tutoring habits would become permanent, they concentrated 100% of their energy on an online-only model.
2. Why live cohorts win: Overcoming the student motivation gap
Pre-recorded lectures struggle in Indonesia because students often lack motivation and confidence. CoLearn uses live group classes with fixed peers and teachers to build community, replicate classroom engagement, and keep attendance high (85%–90%).
3. Focused approach vs. super apps:
While competitors in the region pursue broad, feature-rich “super app” platforms, Saboo believes focused models are equally valid in a young, evolving market where no single player has solved the landscape yet.
4. Prioritizing STEM & Math fundamentals first
Rather than overwhelming students with dozens of subjects, CoLearn focuses heavily on math, physics, and chemistry to build strong core problem-solving capabilities.
5. Doubt-Solving as a Top-of-Funnel Driver:
Free AI-powered doubt-solving (using video rather than text/images) drives high user acquisition. However, long-term monetization relies on converting those top-of-funnel users into paid, live interactive cohorts
6. Fixing K-12 Basics Before Coding or Upskilling
Despite industry hype around coding or vocational training, Saboo firmly believes meaningful educational impact requires solving foundational K-12 problem-solving skills first.
Read the full article
This summary only scratches the surface of the full discussion. For a deeper look into Abhay Saboo’s strategies, numbers, and vision for CoLearn’s growth in the edtech sector, check out the complete interview on The Ken: Read the full article on The Ken.
About The Ken
The Ken is a pan-Asian digital publication delivering deeply researched, original journalism on technology, business, startups, and healthcare across India and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2016, the publication bypasses the noise of breaking news to deliver sharp, narrative-driven stories each weekday. Driven entirely by subscriptions, its reporting remains free from advertiser bias, offering founders, investors, and executives actionable context and candid analysis on the trends reshaping the region’s economy.
