Notable Roles | - Founder & CEO, Bhanzu |
Key Recognition | - Gold Medalist, Mental Calculation World Championship, 2020 |
Background and Early Foundations
Born in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash suffered a major head injury at age 5, which led to a year-long recovery — during which he discovered a love for numbers. By 13, he had broken multiple calculation records, and later earned a degree in Mathematics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. His early pursuit of mental math led him to become the fastest human calculator in the world, and later, an entrepreneur passionate about reforming global math education.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2020 | Won gold at Mind Sports Olympiad; became first Asian to win the title in mental calculation |
2020 | Founded Bhanzu to eliminate global math phobia |
2022 | Selected for Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia and raised VC funding for Bhanzu |
2025 | Reached over 100,000 learners through Bhanzu’s global math platform |
- World Records: 4 global titles + 50 Limca Book records
- Platform Reach: 30+ countries via Bhanzu’s online math programs
- Startup Growth: Raised Series A funding from Lightspeed India & Others (2022)
- EdTech Impact: Over 100,000 students trained via Bhanzu (as of 2025)
Leadership Style and Influence
Neelakantha Bhanu Prakash leads with purpose, clarity, and a passion for democratizing mathematics. His leadership style blends educator empathy with startup tenacity. He inspires teams with data-backed goals, and communicates math as an accessible, joyful language. His personal story — from recovery to global stages — fuels his credibility and connects deeply with students, educators, and edtech investors alike.
Legacy and Future Focus
Bhanu’s legacy is twofold: first, as the fastest human calculator in history; second, as a founder reshaping math education for millions. Through Bhanzu, he’s turning elite mental math techniques into accessible learning frameworks. Looking ahead, his mission is to expand Bhanzu to 100 million students across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa — positioning math not as a barrier, but as a superpower.
