Mesa School of Business raises ₹110 crore for AI-focused expansion

Mesa School of Business, a Bengaluru-based startup focused on business education, has raised ₹110 crore ($11.4 million) in a Series A funding round. The capital consists of ₹85 crore in equity, co-led by Dharana Capital and Elevation Capital, and ₹25 crore in venture debt from InnoVen Capital and Alteria Capital. The funding round places the school at a post-money valuation of ₹385 crore ($40 million).

Founded in 2023 by Ankit Agarwal and Varun Limaye, the institution aims to address the talent gap in the startup ecosystem, particularly in non-technical roles. The school plans to use the new capital to integrate artificial intelligence into its curriculum, launch new academic programs, strengthen its leadership team, and expand strategic partnerships with the startup industry.

Mesa currently offers three residential programs: a one-year Post Graduate Programme in Startup Leadership, a four-year undergraduate program in business and entrepreneurship, and Forge, a one-year program for fresh graduates. The school’s model emphasizes practical learning, where students build and run small businesses and develop tech products using AI.