What is Upgrad, It’s Courses, Founder, Mission & Information

Introduction 

Do you want to know what Upgrad is? Are you confused about the business model of Upgrad? If yes, then you have landed in the right place. Upgrad is a top-rated educational company in India. However, still, people, students, and individuals are unaware of what upgrading is. With that in mind, I have curated this blog post that will help you learn everything about Upgrad, its courses, the founder of Upgrad, placement, mission, and vision.

So without further ado, let’s get started with this blog post.

Founder of Upgrad?

First things first, let us learn about the founders of Upgrad. There are three founders of Upgrad, namely:

1. Roonie Screwvala 

Ronnie Screwvala needs no introduction. If you are a Bollywood fan, then you must have watched a couple of movies produced by Roonie, namely Uri, The Surgical Stricks, Sam Bahadur, Shaadi Ke Side Effects, and many more. Currently, Roonie Sir is the co-founder and chair of Upgrad. His name has also been featured in Esquire’s List of the 75 Most Influential People in the 21st Century. Apart from being an entrepreneur and movie producer, Ronnie is also a great philanthropist and has donated hundreds of crores towards education and social work.

2. Mayank Kumar 

Mayak Kumar is another co-founder and MD of Upgrad. He has completed his engineering degree from IIT Delhi and an MBA from the prestigious Indian School of Business. He has 10+ years of experience in operations, investment, and consulting in various sectors in India, China, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. He has also been part of investments of over $1 billion in the education sector and in related markets.

3. Phalgun Kompalli

Phalgun Kompalli is the co-founder of Upgrad and completed his civil engineering degree at IIT Delhi.

Now that you know who the founders of Upgrad are,Let us understand Upgrad’s story and journey towards providing quality online education and various skill development courses in India.

In the year 2015, Upgrad’s core founding team, which included Ronnie, Mayak, and Phalgun, laid the cornerstone of Upgrad. They started Upgrad from the beginning with the mission of helping learners achieve their financial and professional goals. In the year 2018, Upgrad crossed the 10,000 student mark and crossed 450+ career transitions. In 2020, they crossed the 1 million-learner mark and launched a few new courses and verticals like Upgrad Degree, Upgrad Abroad, and Upgrad Rekrut.

I will tell you about all the verticals below in the blog.

In the year 2016, 114 students completed their first program in entrepreneurship called Start-Up with Upgrad. In 2019, the company became the largest online education portal in India, with the highest gross revenue in the Indian market. In 2021, they became a unicorn and expanded their business in other countries as well.

What is Upgrad?

Started in 2015 by Ronnie, Mayak Kumar, Phalgun Kompalli, and Ravijot Chugh, Upgrad is an online education platform in India that aims to offer formal education online. They offer various certification courses, degree courses, and skill development courses, allowing working professionals to upskill, students to make a thriving career, and existing working employees to get a salary hike.

Over the years, Upgrad has trained more than 1 million learners and impacted more than 363K individuals globally. Upgrad majorly offers courses in the domain of data science, technology, marketing, and management to all.

Each of their courses and programs is designed by working professionals and in collaboration with the top Indian universities like IIT Madras, IIIT B, BITS Pilani, MICA, Cambridge Juge Business School, and many others to curate the best course curriculum that offers a holistic learning experience to learners.

What’s more? Upgrad has built a comprehensive learning ecosystem that includes one-on-one sessions with the mentor, peer-to-peer learning experiences, industry networking opportunities, and career guidance provided by Express, allowing the learners to receive holistic support and help them grow and excel in their careers.

The company has been awarded the ‘Best Tech for Education’ by IAMAI in 2019. The company received the ‘Best Education Brands’ award from the Economic Times and has made it to LinkedIn’s ‘Top 25 Startups’ two years in a row in 2018 and 2019.

What is the mission of Upgrad?

Upgrad’s mission is to help learners achieve their desired outcomes, and their vision is to power career success for every member of the global workforce as their trusted lifelong partner. With the help of the latest technology, pedagogy, industry partners, and world-class faculty, they try to create an immersive online learning experience for learners globally.

What is Upgrad abroad?

Do you want to study abroad at top universities, but you are struggling with how to get there? Are work and study visas acting as a bottleneck in your career? If yes, then Upgrad Abroad has got your back covered.

Upgrad Abroad can easily fulfill your desire to study abroad, not only through the physical classroom but also from the luxury of your home in an online model. This program connects you virtually with the best mentors and education professionals from different parts of the world. They have taken multiple courses in engineering, management, finance, marketing, and operations from the world’s top universities.

With their multiple courses in various domains, you can explore a world full of opportunities internationally by studying online year-round and directly on campus in the 2nd year of top universities.

Upgrad’s Abroad mission is to help learners study abroad by simplifying the process through their journey. Their vision is to enable more students to study abroad by accelerating their path to success at top universities.

To give you good options, Upgrad Abroad has tied up with some of the leading universities from the USA, Australia, Canada, the UK, Germany, Ireland, France, Finland, and many other countries across the globe. Plus, they have both degrees as well as certification courses like MBA, data analytics, supply chain management, master in computer science, MBA in finance and marketing, and a lot more. Some of the top universities include Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and many more.

What are the undergraduate courses?

1. AI and ML courses

A. Postgraduate Programme in Machine Learning and AI (Executive)

This is one of the best-selling AI and ML programs on Upgrad that has been enrolled by more than 3 million learners as of now. The duration of the program is 13 months, and it requires 15 hours of study per week.

After you complete this course, there will be a 7-week complimentary Python boot camp, plus you will be getting the status of the executive post-graduate program from IIIT Bangalore and Alumni Status. The syllabus of the program gives you 600+ hours of learning in the form of videos, case studies, and projects. So, if you are an engineer, software developer, or IT professional, then you can enroll in it for sure.

The following are the subjects that you will be learning in this program: machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, transformers, clouds, and MLOps.

B. Advanced Certificate Program in Generative AI

For all the generative AI lovers, Upgrad has got yet another top program for you all.

This is a certification course in generative AI that will train you in ChatGPT, MidJourney, Promt Engineering, and other generative AI applications. After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certification from Upgrad and alumni status. The core syllabus of the program is made by experts from Upgrad in consultation with the leading Generative AI practitioners from the industry who will be mentoring you.

The best part of this course is that it offers a strong experiential component that will help you apply your learning on the job. There are loads of case studies and industry projects on ChatGpt, mid-journey, and a lot more to give you real-life experience and challenges in management.

These will enable you to step into the shoes of leading managers at companies and put theoretical learning to use experientially. Post this Generative AI course, which will serve as a portfolio of projects you can illustrate to advance your career.

C. Masters of science in ML and AI

If you have a knack for learning machine learning and artificial intelligence from Liverpool John Moores University, then enroll in this course. This complete course will give you 750+ hours of learning and the best content developed by leading faculty and industry experts in the form of videos, case studies, and projects.

In this course, there are 15+ case studies, 90+ live sessions, 11 coding assignments, and 6 capstone projects to choose from. All these will give you a holistic understanding of AI and ML.

After completing this course, you can apply for the following roles: data scientist or analyst, statistician, data engineer, bid data engineer, software developer, and many more.

The overall aim of this program is to produce well-rounded data scientists and AI professionals with sound knowledge of math, experience in tools and languages, and a deep understanding of machine learning algorithms and applications.

2. MBA courses

A. MBA from Golden Gate University

If you are interested in doing your MBA at the prestigious Golden Gate University of the USA, then this course is surely waiting for you.

The course is designed and curated for both working professionals and graduates looking for higher education in business administration. The syllabus of the course is designed as per international standards and includes lectures on business planning, organization, operations, finance, the context of business, strategic analysis and design, and a lot more in depth.

On successfully completing the course, you will become part of a 120+ year education heritage with all the benefits of a Master of Business Administration from a ranked university for working professionals.

That’s not all. You will also be getting a degree from Golden Gate University, alumni status at Golden Gate University, and networking opportunities with 70,000 fellow grads.

B. MBA from Liverpool Business School

This Liverpool MBA course will take you deep into the real aspects of business administration so that you can tackle the challenges of management with modern strategy and techniques. It is crafted to take your business enterprise and abilities in decision-making to the next level. After completing the course, you will surely see your professional growth as a global management leader.

The course modules are integrated with generative AI so that you can learn the latest concepts of management and widen your experience as a leader. There are more than 15+ Harvard business case studies and simulations to give you hands-on experience and real-life examples in management.

The best part about this program is its 6-day immersive experience in the city of Liverpool as well as in the university itself. It will allow you to interact with your fellow batchmates and professors for lifelong mentorship.

Some of the key highlights of the course are: job fairs and networking opportunities every few months; events in cities like Mumbai, NCR, and Bangalore; networking with hiring companies; and a lot more.

C. MBA (Global) from Deakin Business School

If you are looking for a 2-year full-fledged MBA course, this is it. The Beakin MBA is for those who want to build their business acumen, enhance their decision-making and communication skills, and take their career to the next level. With best-in-class content designed by leading faculty and industry leaders, this MBA course by Upgrad will open the floodgates of opportunities for you. 

In this MBA program, you will be learning the following topics: business growth, leadership, operations research, strategic thinking and planning, design thinking, change management, finance, international business, and a lot more.

This course is also backed by 10+ Harvard Business Case Studies, 8 capstone projects, live sessions by experts, and 125+ live sessions. After completing the course, you will be getting an MBA degree from Deakin University.

D. Advanced Certificate in Management by BIMTECH

If you don’t have time to enroll in long-term courses, then you can also enroll in short-term MBA courses from Upgrad. This MBA course by Upgrad is a 5-month certification program that comes with 3 certificates in marketing, operations, and IT. The total duration of the course is 5 months in a self-paced program format. You can start the course immediately after enrollment. Some of the core skills that you will learn in the course are marketing, operations, and IT.

The total program fee is Rs 50,000, including all the taxes. There is also a credit facility offered by Upgrad.  Overall, this program will have video content lectures into small, easy-to-complete segments that you can watch from anywhere and at anytime. The remaining hours will have projects, case studies, assignments and live training. 

3. Data science courses

A. Master of Science in Data Science

Upgrad is known for its data science courses. So if you want to become a data analyst, data scientist, or ML engineer, then this course is waiting for you. This is an 18-month course that will walk you through five core areas of data science: deep learning, natural learning processing, business intelligence, business analytics, and data engineering.

This course will give you 500+ hours of learning, which is more than enough to learn data science inside and out. There will also be a complimentary Python programming boot camp to help you excel further in your career. The boot camp will help you sharpen your programming skills and network with like-minded people. For hands-on learning experience, this course has 60+ case studies and projects to work on.

Remember, this program is not going to be easy. You need to give at least 15 hours per week to complete the program and learn data science inside and out. The course content is in the form of a mixture of interactive learning from industry experts as well as Upgrad’s faculty. The program also has live lectures to help you solve your doubts and queries.

B. Post graduate Programme in Data Science and AI (Executive)

This is a 1-year full-stack data science course with best-in-class content and a course syllabus developed by industry experts in the form of video lectures, live sessions, doubt clarification sessions, case studies, assignments, and a lot more. It is integrated with generative AI modules so that you can learn the latest concepts of data science.

C. Graduate Certificate Graduate in Data Science Program AI

The Postgraduate Programme in Data Science (Executive) is an advanced and comprehensive educational offering designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills in the field of data science. Administered by the prestigious International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB), this program is structured to provide a deep understanding of various facets of data science and artificial intelligence.

Participants in this executive program are required to successfully complete a series of data science courses, culminating in the award of prestigious recognition from IIITB. This recognition is a testament to the individual’s proficiency in data science, signifying their expertise in the subject matter. Furthermore, participants have the opportunity to specialize in one of the following areas: natural language processing, deep learning, business intelligence/data analytics, business analytics, or data engineering. This specialization allows individuals to tailor their learning experience according to their career goals and interests.

The program also facilitates networking with a global community of accomplished IIIT Bangalore data science and AI alumni. This network provides participants with the opportunity to connect with professionals who have successfully completed the program, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and potential career prospects.

D. Postgraduate Certificate in Data Science and AI (Executive)

The Post Graduate Certificate in Data Science and AI (Executive) is a leading program offered by the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB), aimed at individuals looking to embark on a rewarding journey in the field of data science. This program distinguishes itself through a blend of hands-on industry projects, a cutting-edge curriculum, industry mentorship, and a robust peer-to-peer networking platform.

A key feature of this executive program is its accessibility, with a monthly fee of just Rs. 4,763. This affordability makes high-quality education in data science and artificial intelligence more accessible to a broader audience, enabling professionals to enhance their skills and advance their careers without significant financial constraints.

The curriculum of the program is designed to provide a practical and comprehensive understanding of data science and AI concepts. The inclusion of hands-on industry projects ensures that participants gain practical experience and are well-prepared to apply their skills in real-world scenarios. This emphasis on practical application aligns with the industry’s demand for professionals who can contribute meaningfully from day one.

E. Professional Certificate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics

From the University of Maryland, this data science course will strengthen your decision-making skills and help you improve your ability to make better business decisions and make data-driven business decisions. The total duration of the course is 33 weeks, and you have to give 12–15 hours per week to complete it. Along with this data science course from Upgrad, there is one capstone project and some case studies to give you a hands-on learning experience.

This program is very rigorous in nature and designed only for working professionals and managers who want to learn more about data science and analytics from Upgrad and excel in their careers.

The program is so rigorous that you will be learning the actual algorithms that are used in technology and how data is presented to help businesses make important decisions. The course syllabus contains live sessions, expert coaching, and project-making to upskill you in data science.

What are the benefits of learning at Upgrad?

1. Diverse course offerings

UpGrad stands out for its extensive range of courses designed to cater to diverse professional and academic interests. The platform offers programs across various domains, ensuring that learners have access to a broad spectrum of options. Whether you are looking to upskill, reskill, or pursue a new career path, upGrad’s diverse course offerings provide a comprehensive solution.

2. Industry-Relevant Curriculum

One of the key strengths of upGrad is its commitment to providing education that aligns with industry needs. The curriculum of each program is carefully crafted in collaboration with industry experts and top universities. This ensures that learners acquire skills and knowledge that are not only up-to-date but also directly applicable to the real-world challenges and demands of their respective fields.

3. Flexibility and accessibility

Recognizing the busy lifestyles of modern learners, upGrad offers a flexible and accessible learning experience. Courses are designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, allowing learners to balance their educational pursuits with other commitments. The anytime, anywhere accessibility of the courses ensures that education can fit seamlessly into the lives of individuals, promoting a learner-centric approach.

4. Collaborations with Top Universities and Industry Experts

UpGrad’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its partnerships with leading universities and industry experts. These collaborations bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights into the learning experience. Learners benefit from the combined expertise of academic institutions and industry professionals, gaining a holistic understanding of their chosen field.

5. Technology-Driven Learning

UpGrad leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver an immersive and effective learning experience. The platform employs innovative tools and interactive methods to actively engage learners. From virtual classrooms to hands-on projects, technology-driven leaUpGradat UpGrad goes beyond traditional approaches, creating a dynamic and enriching educational environment for all participants.

FAQs about Upgrad