Bengaluru-based Mesa School of Business has raised Rs 110 crore through a combination of equity and venture debt, giving the young business school fresh capital to expand its programmes and strengthen its focus on entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence.
The funding includes Rs 85 crore in Series A equity investment, co-led by Dharana Capital and an existing investor, alongside Rs 25 crore in venture debt from InnoVen Capital and Alteria Capital. The latest round values the company at Rs 385 crore.
Mesa also counts several prominent startup founders among its backers, including CRED founder Kunal Shah, Meesho co-founder Vidit Aatrey and Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma.
Fresh Capital to Support AI-Led Business Education
Mesa plans to direct the funding towards developing an AI-first curriculum across its existing courses, introducing and scaling new programmes, and building stronger partnerships within the startup ecosystem.
The investment comes as the institution continues to develop an education model built around practical business experience rather than classroom instruction alone.
At Mesa, students are expected to build and operate small businesses while learning how to use artificial intelligence to develop technology products. The approach places entrepreneurship and hands-on execution at the centre of its academic experience.
From One Postgraduate Cohort to Over 550 Students
Founded in 2023 by Ankit Agarwal and Varun Limaye, Mesa School of Business offers residential programmes for undergraduates, recent graduates and professionals in the early stages of their careers.
The institution has expanded from a single postgraduate cohort to more than 550 students across its programmes.
Its offerings include a one-year Post Graduate Programme in Startup Leadership, a four-year programme focused on business and entrepreneurship, and Forge, a one-year programme.
Mesa’s learning model also draws heavily on its connections with startup founders and operators. More than 100 founders have taught on campus, while students have gained practical exposure through work involving over 200 startups.
These industry connections form an important part of the institution’s effort to prepare graduates for careers in young companies or entrepreneurial ventures of their own.
Founder-Facing Roles Gain Ground Among Mesa Graduates
One notable outcome of Mesa’s early postgraduate programmes is the proportion of students entering roles that involve working closely with startup founders.
According to the institution, all placed students from its first two postgraduate cohorts joined startups, including Urban Company, Scapia and Comet.
Of those students, 58% secured founder-facing roles, reflecting Mesa’s emphasis on preparing graduates for responsibilities closely connected to company leadership.
The top 25% of placed students recorded an average annual cost-to-company package of Rs 36.5 lakh.
More Than 50 Student Startups Supported Through Mesa Startup Lab
Entrepreneurship at Mesa extends beyond students preparing for employment.
The institution operates Mesa Startup Lab, an in-house residency programme supporting student-led businesses.
More than 50 student startups are being incubated through the initiative. Collectively, these ventures have raised over Rs 25 crore in funding and grants, according to the institution.
The startup lab provides another route for students who want to build companies rather than immediately pursue conventional employment after graduation.
It also connects Mesa’s educational approach with its broader ambition of developing business leaders who can create and operate ventures of their own.
What the Rs 110 Crore Funding Means for Mesa
With the latest investment, Mesa has additional capital to develop its academic offerings and deepen its engagement with the startup industry.
The funding also brings attention to a business school model that combines residential education, founder-led teaching, hands-on entrepreneurship and the use of AI in product development.
For Mesa, the next phase will involve translating its growing student base and startup connections into a broader set of programmes while continuing to support entrepreneurial outcomes.
Its expansion plans will now be backed by a Rs 110 crore funding package, with AI-focused learning and startup partnerships forming two central areas of investment.
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