Masai, one of India’s fastest-growing outcome-based education platforms, has partnered with XLRI to launch the Masai-XLRI entrepreneurship program. The six-month initiative is designed for recent graduates, working professionals, and aspiring founders who want to build practical skills, receive mentorship, and gain exposure to the startup ecosystem.
The program comes at a crucial moment. The global digital economy is projected to reach $23 trillion by 2025, while India’s startups secured a record $35 billion in funding in 2024. The Masai-XLRI entrepreneurship program aims to prepare the next wave of entrepreneurs who can turn ideas into successful ventures in this fast-evolving environment.
A Practical Entrepreneurship Program in India
Unlike traditional management courses, this entrepreneurship program is built around hands-on learning. Its six modules cover the full startup journey:
- Founder’s Mindset – how successful entrepreneurs think and make decisions
- Problem-Solving and Idea Discovery – identifying real-world challenges and developing solutions
- Prototyping and Product-Market Fit – building and testing MVPs with no-code tools such as Webflow and Bubble
- Marketing and Brand Building – running campaigns and creating strong brand identities
- Business Models and Fundraising – designing revenue strategies and pitching to investors
- Scaling and Demo Day – presenting ventures to industry mentors and investors at XLRI
Participants will work on projects like financial planning, customer interviews, product testing, and preparing investor-ready pitch decks. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where selected teams showcase their startups during a two-day pitch challenge at the XLRI campus.
Industry Leaders on the Launch
Prateek Shukla, CEO and Co-founder of Masai, highlighted the gap this program addresses.
“India is full of entrepreneurial energy, but structured pathways to turn ideas into ventures are still limited. Through the Masai-XLRI entrepreneurship program, we want to provide aspiring founders with skills, mentorship, and exposure to build sustainable businesses.”
Dr. Arindam Mondal, Program Director at XLRI, emphasized the larger impact:
“Entrepreneurship has the potential to create businesses as well as long-term social and economic benefits. With this program, our aim is to develop resilient and innovative leaders who can build responsible and scalable ventures.”
Eligibility and Application
Applicants must hold a graduation degree in any stream. Admission is based on a qualifier test conducted by Masai, followed by counselling before enrolment. Successful participants will receive a certificate from XLRI Leadership Education and Development. Applications are currently open on Masai’s official website.
Masai’s Evolution
Since its founding in 2019, Masai has grown from a military-style coding school into a leading career institute. The platform has received more than 800,000 applications and placed over 4,000 candidates in top companies. Alumni have secured roles at unicorn startups like Ola, Paytm, Meesho, and Swiggy, as well as global firms including JP Morgan, Uber, and Capgemini.
Masai has also made a social impact by helping over 350 families move out of poverty through successful placements. Its focus remains on providing opportunities to students from households with incomes below 7.5 lakh per year.
XLRI’s Legacy of Leadership
Established in 1949, XLRI is India’s oldest management school. It has consistently expanded its programs to match the needs of a changing economy. Known for its philosophy of MAGIS—the pursuit of excellence—XLRI prepares students to take on leadership roles with innovation and responsibility.
Over the decades, XLRI has introduced short and long-term programs for working executives, strengthening its reputation as one of India’s top management institutions.
Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
India is now the world’s third-largest startup hub, but many first-time founders struggle due to limited mentorship and practical training. The Masai-XLRI entrepreneurship program addresses this gap by combining classroom learning with industry exposure, mentorship, and access to modern tools such as AI platforms and no-code solutions.
With its structured approach and strong academic-industry partnership, the program is set to become a valuable platform for anyone who wants to turn an idea into a thriving business.
