upGrad has announced the acquisition of early-career hiring platform Internshala through a 90% stock-swap transaction, with the financial details remaining undisclosed. The move strengthens upGrad’s presence at the entry-level talent stage, aligning skilling with employment opportunities.
Founded in 2010, Internshala connects students and graduates to internships and first-job roles. The platform has built a network of over 34 million registered users and 450,000 employers, facilitating nearly three million active applications each year. A large portion of its user base comes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reflecting its reach beyond metro markets.
Internshala will continue to function as an independent brand under the leadership of founder and CEO Sarvesh Agrawal. upGrad plans to invest in enhancing the platform’s product capabilities, including AI-powered talent matching and expanded enterprise hiring solutions. The company is targeting growth from Internshala’s current revenue base of Rs 45 crore to Rs 100 crore.
Chirag Samdaria, head of Corporate Strategy and Growth at upGrad, said the acquisition bridges the long-standing gap between education and employment in India. He noted that integrating structured skilling with real job opportunities will help create stronger alignment between learners and employers.
Sarvesh Agrawal described the partnership as a natural progression, adding that combining learning pathways with job access could position the platform as a launchpad for millions of graduates starting their careers.
