upGrad: Reshaping Higher Education and Careers in India’s Digital Age
- Mahek Goenka
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
In 2015, when most EdTech startups were racing to serve school students and competitive exam aspirants, three visionary entrepreneurs — Ronnie Screwvala, Mayank Kumar, and Phalgun Kompalli — spotted a different gap. They saw an entire generation of working professionals struggling to stay relevant in a world where skills became obsolete faster than ever before. Thus, upGrad was born — with a bold mission: to transform higher education and professional upskilling in India.
Unlike traditional EdTech platforms, upGrad didn’t focus on classrooms and textbooks. Instead, it focused on what came after — on careers, transitions, and lifelong learning. It partnered with top universities like IIIT-Bangalore, Deakin University, and Liverpool John Moores University to offer online degrees, diplomas, and certification programs in areas like data science, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and business management.
What set upGrad apart was its laser focus on outcomes. It wasn’t enough for students to just earn certificates — they needed real career growth. upGrad introduced personalized mentorship, career counseling, placement support, and even mock interviews. It created an entire ecosystem where learning wasn’t passive but career-transforming.
As India's job market evolved, so did upGrad. It launched programs tailored to new fields — cybersecurity, blockchain, product management — ensuring that its learners stayed ahead of industry trends. The platform’s intuitive app, real-world case studies, industry projects, and active mentor interactions made online learning feel dynamic and deeply engaging.
The pandemic only accelerated its relevance. As millions faced layoffs and career uncertainty, upGrad became a beacon for professionals seeking a reboot. It saw record enrollment numbers, expanded internationally, and attracted major funding from Temasek, IFC, and IIFL, pushing its valuation past $2 billion by 2022.
However, upGrad's story isn't just about scale — it's about second chances. It’s about a 35-year-old marketing executive pivoting into tech, a stay-at-home parent restarting their career after a break, or a young graduate finding a passion for data science. Through its courses and career services, upGrad gave individuals the confidence to rewrite their stories.
Today, upGrad is no longer just an EdTech company — it’s a career powerhouse. It has acquired several startups to strengthen its offerings in study abroad programs, test prep, and executive education. It has also ventured into offline learning centers and global markets, staying true to its vision of making education "without limits."
In a world where change is the only constant, upGrad stands tall as a platform that doesn't just teach — it transforms. It reminds us that learning isn't confined to youth or classrooms — it’s a lifelong journey, and with the right support, anyone can upskill, upgrade, and uplift their future.
Register for our Student Entrepreneurs Bootcamp here and win the golden opportunity to grow your business into an upcoming Unicorn!
댓글