Edtech unicorn upGrad has appointed Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and ex–NITI Aayog CEO, as an Independent Non-Executive Director, strengthening its board as the company prepares for its next phase of global expansion and enterprise-led skilling.
A Strategic Addition for Global and Domestic Growth
Kant is expected to shape upGrad’s international strategy and deepen its role in India’s evolving skilling landscape. His experience in policy, governance, economic transformation and public–private partnerships positions him to contribute meaningfully to upGrad’s long-term roadmap.
Kant noted that India requires “new-age skilling” at speed and scale, adding that upGrad’s university and enterprise partnerships make it well placed to equip learners with job-ready capabilities across emerging sectors.
Board Strengthening Amid Rapid Global Expansion
Co-founder and chairperson Ronnie Screwvala said Kant’s inclusion reinforces upGrad’s strategic direction as it scales across geographies and verticals. The appointment aligns with the company’s broader effort to enhance governance standards and bring seasoned leaders into key positions.
Over the last two years, upGrad has accelerated its global presence across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. The company has expanded its university partnerships, invested heavily in AI-led learning systems, built multi-campus infrastructure and personalised content engines, and scaled its enterprise skilling portfolio.
To support product and technology expansion, upGrad recently added Deepesh Dhakad as Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO), signalling its focus on deep product innovation.
Final Take
The addition of Amitabh Kant marks a significant governance milestone for upGrad as it strengthens its leadership bench to support global ambitions. With policy expertise, scale-oriented thinking and industry partnerships, Kant’s appointment positions upGrad to play a larger role in shaping India’s and the world’s future skilling ecosystem.
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