Dr Rashmi Mantri is the Founder Director of the British Youth International College (BYITC) Supermaths, an award-winning education platform that equips children with vital life skills through Abacus Maths, coding, English, and more.
What began as a mission to help her son overcome maths anxiety has grown into a global movement blending innovation, accessibility, and educational excellence.
Here Dr Mantri shares the story behind BYITC, the power of ethical and game-based learning, and her passion for bridging educational gaps—especially for girls—while nurturing the next generation of confident, creative, and digitally fluent learners.
What do you currently do at British Youth International College?
At BYITC, we focus on giving children the essential skills they need not only to succeed academically, but to thrive in life. Our flagship programme uses the centuries-old Abacus tool in a uniquely game-based format to teach students how to perform complex calculations faster than a calculator. But beyond improving numeracy, our courses also help sharpen mental focus, memory and problem-solving skills.
Alongside Abacus Maths, we offer a broad curriculum that includes English, Science, coding, computing science, and entrance exam preparation for grammar and private schools—providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional private education.
We’re also proud to be embracing innovation. BYITC has integrated Olivia, the UK’s first AI assistant for children, to support both learning and administration. And through our online Teacher Training Programme, we’re preparing the next generation of educators to lead with confidence in digital-first classrooms.
We’ve built a culture that goes beyond rote learning. By integrating interactive games and real-world problem-solving, we nurture creativity, critical thinking and a genuine love for learning. Our mission is to make high-quality education more accessible and inclusive.
As part of our CSR efforts, we run free webinars, workshops and masterclasses to expose children to new ideas and skills. Our BYITC Inspire Awards is an annual celebration of young talent and innovation—recognising both student achievement and emerging entrepreneurs. We also offer scholarships and run community initiatives, particularly supporting education for girls.
Through our global Franchise Programme, we empower like-minded educators to establish BYITC Learning Centres worldwide, offering full training and support.
What was the inspiration behind your business?
It all began with a simple moment at home. I asked my son Dhruv, then in P5, “What’s 13 minus 35?”—and he couldn’t answer. That moment revealed how children can struggle with foundational maths.
As an academic, I decided to take action. I introduced Dhruv to the Abacus method of mental arithmetic. Within six days, he had mastered it—performing calculations faster than a calculator. His skills earned him the nickname “The Human Calculator” after his appearance on ITV’s Little Big Shots.
The response from other parents was overwhelming. I held an open day at Dhruv’s school, which quickly led to teaching more children—and in 2015, BYITC Supermaths was born. My goal was, and remains, to equip children with confidence and life skills—not just exam results.
Who do you admire?
I have great admiration for Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy. He has revolutionised education by making high-quality resources free and accessible to learners worldwide. His work proves that education can be both scalable and impactful when powered by technology and purpose.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
During the pandemic, we created the world’s first Abacus Maths app, which took two years to develop. Looking back, I wish we had embraced automation earlier. It would have accelerated our ability to scale and improved our systems right from the start. That said, the app became a vital part of our growth story.
What defines your way of doing business?
Two words: ethics and innovation. We’ve always prioritised transparency and integrity—with our students, educators, and parents. Every decision is guided by a commitment to providing real value.
At the same time, innovation is in our DNA. We were the first to develop a games-based Abacus learning app, which helped us pivot rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis. Our platform continues to evolve, with new features, games, and AI tools like Olivia to enhance the learning experience.
Franchising has helped us scale globally, but it’s the strength of our system—built through constant research and development—that makes this growth sustainable.
What advice would you give someone starting out?
Start with a problem you care deeply about. Your passion will fuel your purpose, and your product will become a solution driven by mission, not just market demand.
Be prepared for hard work and setbacks—but know that if you believe in your idea and stay committed, the impact can be transformative.
What do you enjoy outside of work? How do you maintain a work/life balance?
I find balance through music and long walks. Both help me switch off and recharge. In a fast-paced entrepreneurial world, it’s essential to protect your energy and make space for reflection. Balance doesn’t come from doing less—it comes from being intentional about what matters.