Mumbai, India | February 26, 2026: upGrad, Asia’s leading integrated skilling and workforce development company, today announced the acquisition of Internshala, the world’s largest early-talent internship and career marketplace, for an undisclosed amount in a 90% stock-swap transaction.
Strategic Impact
- Strengthens upGrad’s position across the full career lifecycle – from education and skilling to employment.
- Internshala, founded in 2010, has built a community of 34 million+ registered users and 450,000 employers, with ~3 million active applicants annually.
- Over 40% of Internshala’s student base comes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, highlighting its reach beyond metros.
- The platform generates most of its traffic organically, reinforcing its strong brand equity.
Integration and Growth Plans
With this acquisition, upGrad will:
- Invest in product innovation and AI-led talent matching.
- Scale enterprise hiring models.
- Target growth from Internshala’s current ₹45 crore revenue base to ₹100 crore+.
- Build structured ecosystems enabling students to discover internships, gain job-ready skills, and transition into full-time roles more efficiently.
Chirag Samdaria, Head – Corporate Strategy & Growth, upGrad, said: “Education and employment in India have operated in silos for too long. This acquisition strengthens the earliest layer of the career journey – where intent is highest and outcomes can be meaningful. By bridging work opportunities with structured skilling, we are building a more aligned talent ecosystem for both learners and employers.”
Sarvesh Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Internshala, added: “This is a natural partnership where learning meets opportunity. Over the last 15 years, Internshala has democratized career starts for students. Joining hands with upGrad will allow us to amplify our impact by skilling millions of candidates, offering pre-trained talent to companies at scale, and together becoming the default launchpad for every graduate’s career.”
Internshala will continue to operate as an independent brand, led by Sarvesh Agrawal, while leveraging upGrad’s scale, technology, and learning ecosystem to expand offerings and reach.
Investec acted as exclusive financial advisor to Internshala.
Milestone in upGrad’s Mission
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in upGrad’s mission to power India’s skilling economy, supporting millions of learners and organizations through career-aligned education and employment pathways.
About upGrad
Founded in 2015, upGrad is Asia’s leading integrated skilling and workforce development company, powering the complete learning cycle of individuals.
- Offers online and hybrid skilling programs under its B2C portfolio.
- Partners with top Indian and global universities to deliver Diplomas, Master’s, and Executive Doctorates.
- Supports every career stage – from first job to boardroom.
- Provides corporate skilling programs, recruitment, and staffing services for enterprises.
🌐 More details: www.upgrad.com
About Internshala
Founded in 2010 by IIT Madras alumni, Internshala is the world’s largest early-career marketplace.
- Community of 35 million+ registered users and 70,000 companies.
- Democratizes career starts for students in India, enabling opportunities without requiring prior experience or luck.
🌐 More details: www.internshala.com
