upGrad has announced the acquisition of Internshala in a 90% stock-swap deal, further expanding its footprint across India’s education-to-employment ecosystem.
Founded in 2010, Internshala has grown into one of the world’s largest early-career platforms, with more than 34 million registered users and a network of 450,000 employers. The platform attracts roughly three million active applicants each year, with over 40% of its user base coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. Much of its traffic is driven organically, reflecting strong brand recognition among students and young professionals.
The acquisition aligns with upGrad’s strategy to create an integrated career lifecycle platform that connects learning, skill development, and job opportunities in one ecosystem. By combining structured skilling programs with access to internships and entry-level roles, the company aims to streamline how students transition from education into meaningful employment.
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As part of its growth plans, upGrad intends to invest in accelerating product innovation, strengthening AI-driven talent matching capabilities, and expanding enterprise hiring partnerships. The company has set an ambition to scale Internshala’s existing ₹45 crore revenue base to ₹100 crore and beyond over time.
Chirag Samdaria, Head of Corporate Strategy and Growth at upGrad, said the deal addresses a long-standing disconnect between education and employment in India. He emphasized that integrating structured learning pathways with real-world work opportunities will help build a more cohesive and outcome-driven talent ecosystem.
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Internshala will continue operating as an independent brand under the leadership of Founder and CEO Sarvesh Agrawal, while leveraging upGrad’s technology infrastructure and learning network to broaden its reach and offerings.
The transaction, for which Investec served as exclusive financial advisor to Internshala, marks another step in upGrad’s broader mission to strengthen India’s skilling economy and support learners at every stage of their professional journey.
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