Bengaluru-based jobtech startup, Masai School, has announced its Series B round of $10 million, headed by Omidyar Network India and existing investors, including India Quotient and Unitus Ventures. Mithali Raj and Bhaichung Bhutia, two prominent personalities in Indian sports, also participated in the round as investors and partners for an undisclosed sum.
The latest infusion of funds will allow the company to expand its “zero-to-one” skilling course in Software Development and Data Analytics while facilitating the launch of two new course categories.
Speaking of the fundraise, Prateek Shukla, CEO and Co-founder, commented, “This is an opportune time for us to pick up our series B funding, and we are excited to work with our new partners and our current investors alike. Our mission remains to build the country’s largest employable tech workforce. The last 3 years have been proof of our competency in bridging the tech skill gap for over 800 tech companies who have hired more than 2000 alumni.”
The company is introducing MasaiX, its first up-skilling programme, to accelerate the growth of software developers in India to fulfil the demand for tech professionals in roles at Global Capability Centers and Senior Software Developers. To strengthen their academic training with the skills required by industry, college students are the target audience for Masai’s new Scholar Program. Prepleaf, a company subsidiary that Masai acquired in December 2021, is launching the Scholar Program, a prepaid programme, for the company.
These programmes will be supported by two scholarships made possible by Bhaichung Bhutia and Mithali Raj, who joined forces with Masai to reimagine higher education in India. These programmes will be supported alongside Masai’s existing offering, Masai 0NE.
Speaking at the press event, Mithali Raj said, “The common thought in India is that when a woman chooses her sporting career, her personal life takes a backseat. However, with Masai, Every individual gets yet another chance to have another career option apart from sports and excel in it.”
