Manish Maheshwari, the former head of Twitter India, who was transferred to the USA earlier this year post an FIR in connection to a viral hate video, has quit the microblogging platform to launch his own edtech startup — Metaversity. A virtually immersive platform to provide employability training, Metaversity, he says can be leveraged to improve education and employability.
Maheshwari’s decision came shortly after Parag Agrawal was appointed as the new CEO of Twitter India and co-founder Jack Dorsey stepped down from the position.
After quitting Twitter, Maheshwari took to the microblogging site and announced that Tanay Pratap, who has been a senior software engineer with Microsoft, and he will start Metaversity “to reimagine education”. He further adds that Covid-19 pandemic has changed not only the skills needed to be successful in the new economy but also how those skills are imparted.
Maheshwari said education has always been close to his heart. In fact, he was a teacher since high school. Through Metaversity, it’s his opportunity to return to his roots.
“#Education is very close to my heart. I have been a teacher since high school while growing up in a middle-class household in India’s hinterland. Even at Wharton, I paid for my education by being a teaching assistant. This is an opportunity to go back to my roots,” tweeted Maheshwari.
He also mentioned that his new startup will be relevant for women and will provide a level playing field in education. “#Metaversity is particularly relevant for women in emerging markets as it equalizes the playing field. It empowers them to become whosoever they want to be, build learning communities and make inroads into professional networks, thereby improving their career prospects,” said Maheshwari, who joined Twitter India in April 2019 as the managing director.
Maheshwari also mentioned that through Metaversity, they want to provide a high-quality and socially immersive learning experience for everyone” at an affordable price. “I am looking forward to your support as we build the team and raise the funds to deliver on this #Metaversity vision,” he tweeted.
