Jules Maitrepierre: Founder of TheTutorist was invited for an interview with Most Popular Stories to know more about his entrepreneurial journey.
1. Can you describe TheTutorist in a few words?
TheTutorist is a matchmaking platform that allows individuals to share their knowledge with the world. If you’re looking at it from a student’s point of view, we give them access to tutors worldwide at the cheapest price.
From a tutor’s point of view, TheTutorist is a large marketplace where they can expand their client base as well as use our analytics and organizational tools. In the end, we benefit both sides of the industry.
2. Why create such a platform?
It’s a personal conviction that I tried to turn into something tangible. I am convinced that the vast majority of problems in society are caused by two things: a lack of education and the lack of communication. I wanted to build a platform in which people had the chance to interact with each other, to learn something but not only that.
Most probably you will chit-chat with your student, discuss life, ideals, politics, things you’ve experienced, things you like. I believe these are things that enlighten people, make them think, and open their minds.
This was the element that I believe is missing from all these skills platforms and tutorials, which is essentially the most important aspect of education: human interaction.
3. Is it a platform for high school and university students only?
It’s for everyone! It is important to mention that TheTutorist is not simply for high school and university students. Users will be able to teach and learn anything, from cooking to coding but also French literature or how to play the piano.
We of course also made sure that professionals can prepare their CFA or GMAT through the platform. To conclude, the skills database is open and ever-growing, this means that users will be able to add skills they want to teach or to learn in real-time, a bit like how Wikipedia works.
4. Were you always interested in education?
I guess I was! I didn’t realize the importance of education before I started getting interested in politics. I was amazed by the correlation between the development of a country based on its capacity to educate its citizens which lead to them electing the most appropriate leader to govern them.
Without education, you create a vicious cycle in which leaders of governments are chosen based on fear and irrational assumptions. Nonetheless, I want to say that education here is not only the simple fact of learning about something, but education here is also about understanding and questioning.
In essence, education is what helps people to not only assimilate and interpret information but also to generate new ones. This interest in education led me to teach bachelor students while I was doing my master’s degree.
5. Where do you see the future of education?
Excellent question, a tough one as well. The world of education is changing and COVID is accelerating this transformation. Technology is used more often, with most students now receiving their education online and even using tutorials on youtube to pass their exams.
You can now go on Coursera to access courses from universities from across the globe, in your bedroom. This is fantastic! However, I still strongly believe that human interaction is needed, it doesn’t necessarily need to be through a physical meeting, a simple video call is sufficient but it is needed, especially during times of isolation.
I am pretty sure that soon, VR will play a big role in education as well where students will be able to attend virtual classes, this is something we would love to do for TheTutorist where we could have a system where our users can virtually meet in an artificial place they both enjoy.
How cool would it be to have a piano lesson under the Eiffel tower?
6. Is TheTutorist COVID proof?
It is! All of the lessons can be performed online through whatever platform the tutor and student enjoy the most (zoom, teams, skype, etc.)
7. Does TheTutorist have a lot of competition?
I must say that indirect competition is very large. However, direct competition is rather fair. We help tutoring companies to digitalize themselves through our platform and we enable individual tutors to promote their skills online.
We also empower anyone to join and teach on our website. We have developed time management and analytics tools that no competitor has, we are developing matchmaking systems that no one on the market has. We have the IFSA Network backing our growth and an incredible team constantly improving the product.
We do see companies trying to attack or copy us even before our official launch, but we see this as something very positive, it means that our idea, product, and the team is more than good.
Furthermore, TheTutorist is a company whose purpose is to help people of the world interact and educate each other, I cannot be angry about a company trying to do the same, it’s a beautiful purpose.
8. How is TheTutorist growing in India?
Our operations in India are led by Prabhat Agrawal, who is the Director of all our activities in India. Prabhat is currently growing our team locally, recruiting the most skilled tutors for our platform, and is managing all marketing activities as well.
With his background in management as a graduate from SSCBS, University of Delhi, and a Master’s student at ESCP Business School, and his passion for education, we were a great fit from day one.
9. Do you see yourself becoming a university professor one day?
Maybe one day! At the moment, I am most passionate about trading and business development, perhaps one day I’ll switch my career. I should also acquire some more experience and develop expertise before I can apply to such positions.
The competition is rough and I want to make sure I bring added value to the institution I will teach at. This doesn’t take away the fact that I always enjoy giving lectures and workshops about any topic I find interesting.
Website: www.thetutorist.com
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/10942794/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetutorist/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetutorist_official/
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