Edept Secures $1 Million to Empower Universities and Boost Employability
In a major step toward reshaping higher education, Edept, an innovative edtech startup, has raised $1 million in seed funding. The Bengaluru-based company focuses on helping universities and educational institutions offer industry-led programs that are tailored to meet the demands of the global job market.
This funding round was led by Enzia Ventures and Equanimity Investments, with additional backing from industry leaders such as Bhavin Pandya, Founder of Games24x7, and Arjun Mohan, an edtech expert, along with Loyal VC based in Canada.
Edept plans to use the capital to expand its operations, hire more talent, and enhance its proprietary tech platform that powers the innovative educational programs it offers.
What is Edept and How is It Changing Higher Education?
Founded in 2023 by Gaurv Bhatia (INSEAD), Puneet Saxena (IIM Lucknow), and Devendra Nagle (IIM Bangalore), Edept is on a mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The company empowers universities and higher educational institutions to design and deliver new-age courses that directly meet the needs of today’s job market.
The core idea behind Edept is simple but impactful: universities often struggle to keep up with rapidly changing industries, and as a result, many graduates enter the workforce unprepared. Edept addresses this by creating industry-led programs that equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in both domestic and international job markets.
Edept’s Focus: Bridging the Skills Gap
One of the biggest challenges facing today’s job market is the skills gap—the difference between what employers need and what graduates are equipped to do. Edept’s goal is to close this gap, especially in high-demand fields like technology, business, and data analytics.
Edept’s programs are designed with industry input, meaning that the curriculum is based on real-world requirements. Students enrolled in these programs aren’t just learning theoretical concepts—they’re gaining the skills employers are looking for.
Rajesh Sehgal, Managing Partner of Equanimity Investments, praised Edept’s approach: “Edept is addressing the critical skills gap in the industry by empowering college students to excel in the jobs of the future. Their collaborative business model positions them to forge strong, long-term partnerships with leading colleges.”
How Edept’s Model Works: Industry Meets Academia
Edept’s model isn’t just about offering courses. It’s about creating meaningful collaborations between educational institutions and the industries that will hire graduates. By working directly with industry experts, the startup ensures that every program it offers is relevant and up-to-date.
Here’s how Edept’s model works:
- Partnerships with Institutions: Edept collaborates with universities to integrate industry-led programs into their curriculum. These programs are designed to fill skills gaps that are critical for future job success.
- Global Focus: Edept doesn’t limit itself to local opportunities. The programs are designed to prepare students for both domestic and international job markets, ensuring they are ready to compete on a global scale.
- Real-World Industry Input: With a focus on industry-led curriculum, Edept ensures that students are learning exactly what they need to succeed in their careers.
This approach helps students gain a deeper understanding of what employers need while offering them practical knowledge that is directly transferable to the workplace.
How Edept is Already Making an Impact
Despite being less than a year old, Edept has already made waves in the education sector. The startup has successfully partnered with seven domestic and international institutions, providing education to over 450 students across various industries.
The demand for industry-led programs has been strong, and Edept is focused on scaling its efforts. In addition to partnering with more institutions, the startup aims to further refine its technology platform to enhance the learning experience for students and educators alike.
Plans for the Future: Scaling and Growing
With the $1 million in seed funding, Edept has ambitious plans for the future. The company will focus on:
- Expanding its Reach: Edept plans to partner with more universities and institutions, both in India and globally, to offer its industry-led programs to more students.
- Hiring More Talent: To support this expansion, Edept will hire additional staff to enhance its platform, content delivery, and partnerships.
- Improving Tech Infrastructure: Edept’s proprietary tech platform is a crucial part of its success. The company plans to continue enhancing this platform to provide a seamless learning experience for students and faculty.
Edept is also looking to explore new technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics to ensure its programs remain cutting-edge and relevant to the ever-evolving job market.
The Founders’ Vision: Changing Education for the Better
The founders of Edept come from some of the top business schools in India and abroad, including INSEAD, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Bangalore. Their shared vision is to create a bridge between higher education and the real-world skills that industries demand.
“We started Edept because we saw the gap between what students are learning in universities and the skills they actually need to succeed in their careers,” said Gaurv Bhatia, one of the co-founders. “By collaborating with industry experts, we’re giving students the tools they need to not only find jobs but thrive in the global workforce.”
Why This Investment Matters for Higher Education
Edept’s innovative approach to higher education comes at a time when the world is increasingly focused on addressing skills gaps. As technology evolves and industries become more specialized, traditional education systems often struggle to keep up. Edept is helping to future-proof the education system by aligning academic learning with real-world needs.
This is a crucial step in improving employability outcomes for students and ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly changing job market.
With $1 million in funding, Edept is positioned to lead the charge in reshaping education to be more relevant, practical, and industry-focused.
Conclusion: Edept’s Role in Shaping the Future of Education
Edept is more than just another edtech startup. It’s a company that is redefining higher education by connecting the dots between academia and industry. With its innovative approach, industry partnerships, and focus on employability, Edept is preparing students for careers in high-demand fields on a global scale.
As the company grows and expands its reach, it has the potential to transform the landscape of education, helping students gain the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
