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Podcast 🎧 - Building a $25 Million Business from Scratch—And How You Can Too

February 25, 2025

Hey there,

The newest episode of The Startup Growth Podcast is live!

In this episode, I chat with Kush Patel, the founder of App Academy, a coding bootcamp that has transformed the lives of many aspiring software engineers. Kush shares his early influences, particularly his father's entrepreneurial spirit, and how his experiences in finance and exposure to startup culture fueled his desire to create something impactful. He recounts the initial launch of App Academy, which began as a free coding bootcamp to attract students and quickly evolved into a successful model utilizing income share agreements, allowing students to pay tuition only after securing a job.

We also discuss the challenges and triumphs of scaling App Academy, including the transition to online education and the launch of App Academy Open, a free resource that broadened their reach. He emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and customer satisfaction in driving growth, as well as the strategic decisions made to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Key takeaways:

  • Working at a Hedge Fund in India

  • Inspiration from Microfinance and Transition to App Academy

  • First Cohort: Free Class and Outcomes

  • Introduction of Income Share Agreement (ISA)

  • Importance of Customer Satisfaction and Brand Trust

I hope you find this educational content valuable and can apply it in your business.

David Phillips

Founder & CEO at Fondo