Admissions Open for Cohort 3: Early Bird Deadline - 29th December 2024

India's First Startup Focused Business School

12 month Full Time
PGP in Startup Leadership

Built by alumni from

Harvard Business School Northwestern Kellog
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Backed by India’s top entrepreneurs

The startup ecosystem comes together to build the country’s only
VC-backed startup-focused business school

  • Kunal Shah
    Kunal Shah
  • Vijay Shekhar
    Vijay Shekhar
  • Vidit Aatrey
    Vidit Aatrey
  • Mekin Maheshwari
    Mekin Maheshwari
  • Abhiraj Bhal
    Abhiraj Bhal
  • Varun Khaitan
    Varun Khaitan
Built by pedigreed & experienced leaders

Built by pedigreed & experienced leaders

Alumni from HBS & Kellogg unite to bring a fresh take to business foundations, building a business school focused on the future.

Read what Indian news has to say about us

Startups are the future

And the future belongs to builders. Mesa develops you into one.

15 %

YoY growth in Indian
startup ecosystem

3 rd

largest startup
ecosystem in the world

$8

billion funding
received in 2024

Startup Ecosystem

And yet, nobody is creating talent for startups

01
Not enough attention paid to startup specific skills
02
No real experience of
business building
03
No exposure to startup founders, leaders & investors

At Mesa, we don’t just teach business; we focus on skills that create builders who thrive in the world of startups

APPLY NOW

Our programs

our programs
01
PGP in Startup Leadership
12 months  Full Time, Residential 0-6 years of work experience
June, 2025
02
Young Leaders Program
9 months + 3 months Full Time, Residential Freshers 
August, 2025

Admissions for Cohort of 2026 are underway

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A Proven track record

18-50 LPA

CTC Salary Range

2.8 X

Pre MBA Salary Jump

100 %

Students Placed in Startups

Unlock unparalleled career growth at Mesa

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Not just short-term gains, we set you up 
for roles that have a long-term, long-lasting impact

Unlock high-impact roles with significant growth potential

Founder’s office, EIR, growth & marketing manager, B2B partnerships & sales, product manager. These roles are designed for fast-tracked career growth, giving you hands-on experience and strategic responsibilities from day one.

Immerse yourself in the culture of early-stage startups

Here, high ownership & agility are the norms. Be at the heart of innovation, making real-time decisions that shape the company’s future. You won’t just be a spectator—you’ll be a key player driving growth.

Work directly & closely with founders, CXOs and investors

Build relationships with influential leaders, gaining insider access to the startup ecosystem. Your insights and contributions will directly impact strategy, giving you unparalleled exposure to mentorship that accelerates your career.

Where our founding cohort works:

Learning outcomes that set you up for success

We work backwards from 10 industry-focused learning outcomes that prepare you for the startup world

In today’s digital age, data and the digital footprint it leaves are everywhere. The ability to use it effectively for evidence-backed decisions can truly set you apart.

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Identify relevant data to solve problems, extract and analyze datasets, and generate actionable insights
  • Effectively communicate insights through clear visualizations and a compelling narrative
  • Align business decisions, experiments, or hypotheses with data-driven insights for impactful outcomes.
Learn tools like Excel, Powerquery, SQL, Python and PowerBI
Work on 25+ real-world startup datasets and get your hands dirty
Get regular 1:1 mentorship, support and practice

One of Amazon’s key leadership principles is deeply understanding your customer—their pain points, motivations, and alternatives—as the foundation for building effective solutions.

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Define and communicate clear customer personas for a product or service
  • Conduct thorough user research, interpret insights, and understand customer messaging
  • Use frameworks like JTBD (Job-To-Be-Done), User Stories, and User Quotes to define user requirements
Learn marketing and user research from top professors
Interact with real customers while building a business
Conduct customer discovery with early-stage startups.

Effective communication with team members, senior leadership, and external stakeholders is the most important predictor of career growth—especially as automation increases. This skill will serve you for life.

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Confidently represent yourself and your ideas with clear and concise articulation
  • Write compelling, brief and purpose driven documents
  • Influence without authority at the workplace  
Learn the art of business storytelling, negotiations and presentations 
Gain 50+ public speaking opportunities and present ideas to top startup leaders 
Receive 1:1 coaching on executive presence and crafting your elevator pitch

As Elon Musk says, this is “the only thing worth mastering.” Understanding problems at their core, identifying key components, and building solutions is vital in startups’ ambiguous environments. 

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Deeply understand and communicate core problems
  • Break down problems using frameworks like MECE and 80/20
  • Identify key problem-solving levers and prioritize efforts on identified issues 
Analyze & break 100+ real startup business cases
Access 50+ hours of workshops on structured problem-solving with examples
Join bi-monthly moderated group discussions on trending business topics

“What will it really take for this business to be successful?” is a nuanced question, the answer to which lies at the intersection of core business domains like marketing, finance, operations, accounting and strategy. The ability to answer this single question goes a long way.

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Grasp and apply essential business frameworks and concepts
  • Understand core business models, metrics, and flywheels
  • Analyze revenue, cost, LTV, CAC and other levers that move the needle
Attend 500+ hours of lectures by top B-school professors
Work on live startup projects with leadership on real-world business challenges
Solve 100+ renowned business cases in teams of 3-4

To succeed in high-growth startups, the key is to launch fast, fail fast; listen to customers, and continuously iterate on your product. This agile approach contrasts with traditional methods but is fundamental to the success of every major tech startup.

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Define hypotheses, launch experiments, and build solutions based on customer needs 
  • Develop a Minimum Viable Product and craft a GTM strategy to secure your first 100 customers.
  • Create clear success metrics, track them and iterate solutions based on feedback
Attend 40+ hours of Product Management coursework
Launch real products and go to market with “Mesa Startup Lab”
Gain an Agile scrum certification

At Mesa, by the end of the program, you will:

  • Understand the process of selling in both B2C & B2B contexts
  • Work backwards from an audience and product to create an efficient sales funnel
  • Create a sales strategy for acquiring the first 100 customers for any product/service  
Undergo 40+ hours of sales coursework
Get real exposure to selling via 1-day sales challenges with popular brands
Make upwards of 5L in revenue via the dropshipping challenge in Term 1

The ability to plan, execute and monitor a process is often overlooked. It is a key muscle to build if you want to be indispensable at the workplace. Startups look for doers, folks who can own something end to end and deliver end outcomes without requiring hand holding.

At Mesa, our goal is that by the end of the program every student will be able to:

  • Understand what goes behind setting up business processes from scratch
  • Deconstruct a customer journey funnel, conversion metrics and interventions required at every stage
  • Build comprehensive trackers, define micro success metrics and create task distributions
25+ hours of workshops on program managing processes
Internships at startups where you get to own a process end-to-end
Manage business processes for your small business in term 1

Understanding how a sector works, business models within it, needle movers for increasing revenues and decreasing costs are vital when wanting to enter the startup ecosystem as a founder or as a startup leader.

At Mesa, our goal is that by the end of the program every student will be able to:

  • Understand key business drivers and levers in a sector
  • Understand a few dominant business models existing in a sector
  • Deconstruct what it will take for a startup to be successful in a particular sector
Deep dives in a workshop format with a sector expert
Learn to write a sector thesis with top VC partners
Sector specific student driven business clubs

Artificial Intelligence and its applications are completely disrupting the way we work and solve problems. It’s absolutely essential that you stay on top of emerging technologies and understand the core concepts that run them.

At Mesa, our goal is that by the end of the program every student will be able to:

  • Understand core building blocks of the technology
  • Deconstruct examples of use cases where the technology has been deployed
  • Build and launch prototypes of micro-SaaS products
Build a Gen AI product at the Mesa AI Lab
Expose yourself to the world of AI via day-long hackathons
Network with top AI experts from India’s startup ecosystem

The Mesa learning experience

Rigorous, hands-on & case-based – a pedagogy designed 
in partnership with top leaders & operators


01
Pedigreed faculty

learn from professors from global business schools

02
Startup-focused

interact with over 200+ industry leaders visiting campus

03
Hands-on learning

learn how to build & scale a business from scratch


01
Pedigreed Faculty

Academicians from world-renowned  business schools

Learn from top B-school professors & dive into case-based learning

ADMISSIONS OPEN

Learn from Top B-School Professors

Experience world-class education with professors from top B-schools like IIM A/B/C, ISB, and Kellogg. These experts don’t just teach—they adapt their curriculum to India’s startup landscape.

Dive into Real-World Case-Based Learning

Engage with case studies from Harvard Business School, along with startup-specific cases crafted at Mesa. Learn the fundamentals taught at leading business schools, enriched with practical, hands-on examples directly from the startup world

Learn Foundational Business Concepts

Across fields like strategy, marketing, operations, finance and accounting - we believe these are non-negotiables that will help you build a robust base for building on top of.

Academic & Research Wing

Explore a wealth of research and cases tailored to India’s startup ecosystem. Our dedicated research wing dives deep into local startups' real stories and strategies, giving you knowledge that goes beyond the classroom.

Learn from Top Faculty

  • Achal Bassamboo
    Achal Bassamboo
    Professor of Operations, Kellogg School of Management
  • Tim Calkins
    Tim Calkins
    Professor of Marketing, Kellogg School of Management
  • Ray Titus
    Ray Titus
    Pro Vice Chancellor, Alliance University | Visiting Faculty, IIM Bengaluru
  • Tushar Jaruhar
    Tushar Jaruhar
    Visiting Faculty, Ashoka University
  • Sandeep Das
    Sandeep Das
    Visiting Faculty, IIM Bengaluru
  • Dr. Ashita Aggarwal
    Dr. Ashita Aggarwal
    Professor of Design Thinking, SPJIMR
  • Dr. Ramya Ranganathan
    Dr. Ramya Ranganathan
    Professor of Organisational Behaviour, IIM Bengaluru
  • Ajit Phadnis
    Ajit Phadnis
    Associate Professor, IIM Indore
02
Startup-focused

Engage with startup CXOs to understand real world decision making

Get access to 100+ startup leaders & learn from real-world business problems

CHAT WITH US

130 +

Startup founders
have visited campus

100 +

Indian startup case
studies solved

200 +

hours of startup
leader sessions

Startup Case [hl fontColor=
Startup Case on Campus
  • Dive into cases crafted by India’s top startup founders based on real business problems
  • Dissect their business challenges in groups, and present your solutions directly to these leaders on campus
  • Receive live, actionable feedback straight from those who’ve built successful ventures.
Business [hl fontColor=
Business Strategy Lab
  • Tackle real-world business problems alongside top executives
  • Collaborate, brainstorm, and develop innovative solutions that address current market challenges
  • Present your insights directly to the teams in their offices, showcasing your problem-solving skills where it matters.
VC [hl fontColor=
VC Analyst Practicum
  • Step into the shoes of an investor—develop an industry thesis, pitch a fresh startup idea, or draft an investment plan for an existing business.
  • Take your proposals directly to VC offices and pitch them to leading Indian investors
  • Gain firsthand exposure to high-stakes decision-making in the startup funding ecosystem.

Learn from startup leaders

  • Abhiraj Bhal
    Co-founder, Urban Company
  • Vidit Aatrey
    Founder & CEO, Meesho
  • Vedang Patel
    Co-Founder, Souled Store
  • Armaan Sood
    Founder, Sleepy Owl
  • Anil Goteti
    Founder, Scapia
  • Utkarsh Gupta
    Founder, Comet
  • Sajith Pai
    Partner, Blume Ventures
  • Ragini Das
    Co-founder, Leap Club
  • Revant Bhate
    CEO, Mosaic Wellness
  • Nikhil Sikri
    Co-founder & CEO Zolo
  • Faye D'souza
    Founder, Beatroot News
  • Vinay Dubey
    Co-Founder, Wint Wealth
  • Savitri Bobde
    Co-founder & COO, Belong
  • Vartika Bansal
    Founder & CEO, Floik
  • Rajesh Yabaji
    Co-founder & CEO, Blackbuck
  • Prashant Sachan
    Founder, Apps for Bharat

and many more...

03
Hands-on learning

Get access to Mesa’s INR 5Cr startup fund

Take your ideas from MVP to PMF with
Mesa’s in-house incubation fund

Take your first step in building a business from scratch

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From Ideation to Product-Market Fit

Experience a step-by-step process that helps you refine your idea, validate it with real customers, and evolve it into a product that meets market needs.

Backed by a ₹5 CR Mesa Investment Fund

Access funding opportunities to bring your startup idea to life, with financial support to fuel your product’s growth and early-stage development.

1:1 Mentorship

Gain invaluable insights and guidance from 25+ ex-founders who have successfully built and scaled startups, offering personalized mentorship at every stage.

Post-Program Support

Continue receiving assistance after the program ends, with access to funding resources, office space, and the tools you need to scale your startup beyond the initial phases.

5

Startups from
founding cohort

50 Lakh +

In funding to students
from founding cohort

$1 Mn

ARR from startups
founded by founding cohort

25 +

Ex-Founders as
mentors

Fleshing out the journey

Ideation

Ideation

Learn how to get and evaluate startup ideas. Answer 13 essential questions for every pre-seed startup idea, brainstorm with mentors and pick a problem to 
work on.

Prototyping

Prototyping

Learn how to build an MVP to test your idea. Put your product/solution in front of users, get feedback and iterate. Mesa provides tools, support and experts required to build out your solution.

Go-to-Market

Go-to-Market

Acquire your first 100 customers. Use channels like - offline in-person sales, social media, WA groups and performance marketing. Get weekly 1:1 check-ins with mentors to 
refine GTM.

Growth

Growth

Identify key growth levers, narrow down on a sharp right customer persona, optimize customer journeys and build customer acquisition funnels. Double down on channels that are working.  

Fundraising

Fundraising

Get a chance to connect with and pitch to top VCs in India’s startup ecosystem during “demo day”. 
Get access to Mesa’s 5 Cr investment fund with a cheque size of 10L. 

Located in the heart of India’s silicon valley


Frequently asked questions

What is unique about Mesa’s PG Program in Startup Leadership?

Mesa’s PG Program in Startup Leadership aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders for the startup ecosystem. This one-year, full-time, in-person curriculum is delivered at our Bangalore campus and is focused on practical, hands-on learning through real-work case studies taught by faculty from top B schools & startup leaders, founders & investors.

Does this program offer a degree or a diploma?

No, this program does not offer a degree or diploma, and that is by design. Instead of focusing on traditional credentials, our goal is to equip you with the practical skills, real-world experience, and networking opportunities that will help you excel as a leader or founder in the startup ecosystem. Upon completion, every candidate receives a certificate, but the true takeaway is the growth, knowledge, and network that will propel your career forward.

Why is this program in-person and not online?

We believe that transformative learning thrives in a collaborative environment. In-person interactions foster deeper connections, richer discussions, and more immersive learning experiences—essential components of both startup culture and business school life. Being based in a co-working space like WeWork in Bengaluru places students in the heart of India’s startup ecosystem with real-world networking that can’t be replicated in an online setting.

How long is this program and why?

This is a 12-month, on-campus program designed to offer both depth and intensity, mirroring the fast-paced nature of startup life. The program includes internships and live startup projects, providing real-world experience alongside theoretical learning. The condensed timeframe ensures you gain essential skills and hands-on exposure without unnecessary delays, allowing you to quickly apply what you’ve learned beyond the classroom.

What are the core courses I have to undertake?

Our academic curriculum includes core courses, new-age courses, startup-building focused courses, and workshops. Core courses taught by top professors from institutions like Kellogg and IIM focus on fundamental business concepts. New-age courses, led by industry experts, cover emerging technologies like AI and climate-tech. Startup-building courses, taught by founders, focus on practical startup creation. Intensive workshops and bootcamps provide deep dives into specific topics essential for thriving in the startup ecosystem.

Who is the ideal student for this program?

Anyone with an undergraduate degree and 1+ years of work experience is fit to apply to our PG Program. Our Young Leaders Program is for freshers only.

Beyond these basics, we’re looking for individuals with a growth mindset, a strong desire to learn, and a deep passion for the startup ecosystem. If you’re someone who’s eager to face challenges head-on and is genuinely excited about building and innovating in the world of startups, this program will be a great fit for you.

Does Mesa accept other entrance examination scores?

There is no cut-off/specific score required to be eligible for this program. But, feel free to add lifetime scores from any of the following exams GMAT, GRE, CAT, NMAT, XAT. Don’t worry if you don’t have a score or feel your scores are not competitive enough. Our process is designed to be holistic.

What is the Mesa Application Process?

The application process is a rigorous 5-step process:

  1. Attend a compulsory info session 
  2. Take the Mesa Admissions Test 
  3. Submit the online application 
  4. Sit for the interview rounds (if shortlisted)
  5. Get your final decision
What is the Mesa Admissions Test?

The Mesa Admissions Test is a 60-minute online test, designed to evaluate key competencies like problem-solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking, and communication (both verbal and written). Unlike conventional exams, this test focuses on assessing your natural abilities and growth potential, rather than your past academic or professional achievements. There is no cut-off to the MAT.

How are applicants evaluated at Mesa?

At Mesa, we evaluate applicants holistically, looking far beyond just numbers and test scores. We assess academic background, professional experience, test results, essays, and personal interviews. What sets us apart is our emphasis on potential—seeking individuals who align with Mesa’s values, display a strong growth mindset, and are passionate about innovation and the startup ecosystem.

Can applicants defer their admission offer from Mesa?

No, currently Mesa does not offer an option to defer admission. If applicants are unable to join the program in the current year, they can apply again for the next intake.

What is the philosophy behind careers at Mesa?

At Mesa, we believe startups provide unparalleled career opportunities, offering high ownership, direct collaboration with founders, and a seat at the decision-making table. These roles foster deep learning, rapid career growth, and significant financial upsides, particularly with equity stakes (ESOPs). Our goal is for each student to secure a high-impact role in a fast-growing startup.

What kind of placements can I expect post the program?

We concentrate on key startup roles such as Founder’s Office, Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR), Product Management (PM), P&L Leaders, B2B SaaS Sales, and Business Vertical Leaders. These are powerful, high-impact roles that set you up for long-term success. 

What type of career support does Mesa provide?

Mesa provides extensive career support, starting with personalized counseling to help students identify their target roles and create a tailored career path. We assist with resume building, LinkedIn optimization, and creating a personal brand, while offering hands-on projects to build relevant skills. Students receive guidance on networking and interview preparation. With 100+ startup mentors providing feedback through mock interviews, Mesa ensures students are ready to excel. 

How does Mesa support students in their entrepreneurial endeavors?

Mesa supports entrepreneurial students through its in-house incubator, the Mesa Startup Lab (MSL), backed by a ₹5 crore fund. Students receive 1:1 mentorship from 50+ experienced founders and startup operators, along with resources to fast-track product launches. They also have the chance to pitch their ventures to 25+ VCs during Demo Day. For those continuing their ventures post-program, Mesa offers ongoing support, including funding, office space, and stipends, to help them keep building and scaling their startups.

What are the tuition fees and additional costs?

The tuition fee for Mesa’s program is ₹20,35,000, with an additional residential fee starting at ₹3,50,000 for the year (excluding applicable taxes). Candidates should also account for personal and incidental expenses during the program.

How does Mesa provide support to students with financial aid and scholarships?

Mesa offers a range of scholarships based on the quality of your application & interviews helping to reduce tuition fees significantly. In addition, we assist students with education loans through our official financial partners, including HDFC Credila, IDFC Bank, and Grayquest. We prioritize the quality of our cohort, and we strive to support students who demonstrate high potential but may need financial assistance to join the program.

How can candidates maximize their chances of receiving financial aid?

Early application is encouraged as financial aid is often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re someone looking for generous scholarships, ensure you apply early. The rest depends on the quality of your application. 

What are the terms and conditions of the education loans offered?

Education loans through our partners are subject to approval based on creditworthiness and other factors. We advise candidates to review the terms, interest rates, repayment conditions, and other details directly with the financial institutions. The admissions team is there to support you through this process.