Two seasoned Indian tech veterans — Peeyush Ranjan, former CTO of Flipkart and ex-Google/Airbnb executive, and Mukesh Bansal, co-founder of Myntra and Cult.fit — have launched Fermi.ai, a Singapore-headquartered AI-first edtech startup focused on revamping how students learn STEM subjects like mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Fermi.ai enters the education scene with a distinct philosophy: instead of providing quick answers, its AI tutor guides students step by step through problem-solving so they learn concepts deeply and build true understanding. This approach, often called “productive struggle,” is designed to counteract the tendency for students to rely on generative AI shortcuts.

Featuring an adaptive real-time tutor, a stylus-first smart canvas that mimics pen-and-paper learning, and a curriculum-linked question bank aligned with exams like JEE, AP and IB, the platform actively tracks how students think and learns where they struggle, offering insights to both learners and teachers. Fermi’s diagnostic layer highlights conceptual gaps teachers might otherwise miss.

Before public rollout, Fermi.ai ran a three-month pilot with 79 students, where learners showed notable improvements, with average scores rising significantly after repeated guided practice.

Currently free in pilot form in India and the United States, Fermi.ai plans broader rollout and subject expansion — including biology and skill-based courses — as it refines its product and explores external funding.