Turbo AI grows to 5 million users with student-friendly AI

Two 20-year-old dropouts have turned a simple classroom problem into a thriving AI startup. Turbo AI, launched in early 2024 by Rudy Arora and Sarthak Dhawan, now serves five million users and adds twenty thousand more daily, while generating eight-figure annual recurring revenue. What began as a side project to solve the age-old struggle of taking notes while paying attention has transformed into a multi-functional AI learning and productivity platform.

The idea behind Turbo AI stemmed from a challenge familiar to most students: you can’t fully listen to a lecture and take accurate notes simultaneously. Dhawan explains, “Every time I tried to take notes, I’d stop paying attention. When I listened, I couldn’t write. I thought, what if AI could handle that?” Turbo AI started as Turbolearn, enabling students to record lectures and automatically generate notes, quizzes, and flashcards. The app spread organically from friends to classrooms at Duke and Northwestern, then to elite schools like Harvard and MIT.

Unlike traditional note-taking tools, Turbo AI adds interactivity and personalization. Users can upload PDFs, lecture videos, or YouTube content, converting them into study-friendly formats. The built-in chat assistant explains key terms and concepts, making it suitable for both academic and professional users. Consultants, lawyers, doctors, and analysts at companies like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey have adopted Turbo AI to summarize reports, create podcasts, or convert dense materials into digestible formats.

The company’s meteoric growth is underpinned by strategic user engagement and social media expertise. Arora’s background in driving viral growth and Dhawan’s focus on product-market fit have combined to create an experience that resonates with students and professionals alike. Despite this rapid expansion, Turbo AI has stayed cautious on fundraising, taking only $750,000 in initial capital and remaining profitable since inception. Their 15-person Los Angeles team continues to stay close to the communities that matter most, testing pricing strategies and experimenting with different subscription models to optimize access for students.

Turbo AI differentiates itself by balancing full automation with user control. Students can let the AI take notes automatically or work alongside it, providing a level of flexibility that competitors like YouLearn or Otter don’t fully offer. The result is a product that not only saves time but also enhances retention through interactive quizzes and flashcards. Users frequently upload entire 30-page lectures and complete dozens of quiz questions in a single sitting—a testament to how engaging and effective the platform has become.

What makes Turbo AI remarkable is how it bridges the gap between student-focused tools and professional productivity solutions. The platform demonstrates that AI notetakers are not just for studying—they’re versatile assistants that streamline work, support research, and accelerate learning in high-pressure environments. Arora and Dhawan’s journey from side project to multi-million-dollar business proves that unconventional paths, combined with a deep understanding of user pain points, can yield extraordinary results.

For anyone interested in the intersection of AI, education, and productivity, Turbo AI is a case study in scaling thoughtfully, staying user-focused, and leveraging social reach. Its rapid growth shows that impactful tools can emerge from small teams with a clear vision, addressing real-world problems. The app’s success underscores a broader trend: AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s becoming an essential assistant for both students and professionals, saving time, clarifying complexity, and unlocking potential in ways traditional tools can’t.

If you’re curious about how AI can transform note-taking, studying, or professional research, exploring Turbo AI today offers a glimpse into the future of intelligent productivity.