Custodia Learn enters the final stage of due diligence in a US$5.4 million deal
In a company announcement, student-founded EdTech platform Custodia Learn says it is in due diligence with a publicly listed Chinese education group at a US$5.4 million valuation, up from US$500,000 in January 2026. The buyer is under NDA and unnamed. The platform reports 19,063 registered users and 8,986 daily active sessions.
Full text of the announcement
Subheadline: The student-founded EdTech startup that replaces four learning apps with one is undergoing due diligence with a major Chinese educational group. According to an independent valuation, the project's value has grown tenfold in less than a year.
Famagusta, Cyprus — Custodia Learn, an EdTech platform founded by students of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), has entered the final stage of due diligence. The potential acquisition is valued at US$5.4 million. The buyer is a publicly listed educational group from China. Under a non-disclosure agreement, its name stays confidential until the deal closes.
For context: in January 2026 the startup was valued at US$500,000. The current valuation is about ten times higher, reached in less than a year.
Solving the "fragmented learning" problem
Students juggle several tools: ChatGPT for explanations, YouTube for lectures, Quizlet for flashcards, Discord for peers. Custodia Learn combines four core tools in one app:
- AI Tutor (Custy): personalized Q&A and explanations based on recent lessons.
- Video lessons: structured content for focused learning.
- Gamification: daily missions, XP and leaderboards that build habits.
- Community: peer-to-peer learning and interaction.
Traction
- 19,063 registered users (+12.4% month on month)
- 8,986 active sessions per day on average
- 18,941 average daily page views
The business model combines freemium subscriptions, a commission from the "Custodia Expert" live-tutoring platform, and B2B partnerships with institutions.
Why a Chinese group?
First, geography: Custodia's early focus on Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) and Europe fits the "Go Global" strategy of Chinese EdTech companies. Second, synergy: large content libraries combined with localized AI conversation and gamified retention could help scale into emerging markets.
Current status: rebranding
The team is focused on a full rebranding ahead of the deal and is expanding university partnerships. It recently presented at the IDECA Expo in Tashkent and hosted open lectures at Impuls Medical Institute in Uzbekistan.
"Passing due diligence with such a major player already validates our journey. We built a product that changes how students study. Our goal is not just a successful exit, but the chance to scale our AI learning model globally. Central Asia is only the starting point," — Sultan Abi, student and Founder & CEO of Custodia Learn.