India's First Startup Focused
Business School
12 month Full Time
PGP in Startup Leadership
Built by alumni from
Built by Experienced Leaders
in the Management Industry
Learning is an art, and at our institution, we believe
in nurturing that art. Our students are not just
learning—they are on a journey to identify their
areas of interest. Every day, they work diligently
to develop and refine their skills in the fields they
are passionate about, preparing to become experts
in their chosen areas.
Backed by India’s Top Edupreneurs
Startup industries have come together to build the country'
startup-focused business school.
Read what Indian news has to say about us
15
%
YoY growth in Indian
startup ecosystem
3
%
Largest startup
ecosystem in the world
$8
Billion funding
received in 2024
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
Developing Future Leaders Through Skill & Passion
We believe that true learning happens through doing. That’s why we connect students with real startups, giving them hands-on experience in real-world environments. By working directly with entrepreneurs and startup teams, students gain valuable insights, develop practical skills, and learn to solve real challenges.
We don’t just teach from books—we combine knowledge with action. Students not only learn the theories but also apply them in dynamic startup settings, turning ideas into impact. This approach nurtures confidence, innovation, and leadership.
Our goal isn’t just to prepare students for jobs—we empower them to discover their true potential. We help them identify their strengths, develop their unique talents, and take ownership of their growth.
We don’t drive students toward careers—they drive themselves toward purpose.
We’re shaping the future by shaping future leaders.
Our programs
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
We develop students based
on their skills and passion
We guide them in identifying
real-time projects, and
experiential learning helps
them succeed in life. Most
of our students begin their
journey as management
trainees, which sets them
on the path to becoming
future CEOs.
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.
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 Alumni Student Are working:
Learning outcomes that set you up for success
Financial management
Marketing management
Human Resource Management
Operations management
Business Analytics
International Business Management
Sector Understanding
Proficiency with New-age Technologies
Learning outcomes that set you up for success
We work backwards from 10 industry-focused learning outcomes that prepare you for the startup world
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The Leadscet 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 20+ industry leaders
visiting campus
03
Hands-on learning
Learn how to build & scale a business
from scratch
01
Pedigreed faculty
Learn from professors from global
business schools
02
Startup-focused
Interact with over 20+ industry leaders
visiting campus
03
Hands-on learning
Learn how to build & scale a business
from scratch
Learning outcomes that set you up for success
01
Financial management
02
Marketing management
03
Human Resource Management
04
Operations management
05
Business Analytics
06
International Business Management
07
Sales
08
Process Thinking
09
Sector Understanding
10
Proficiency with New-age Technologies
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 lead scet, 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
The Leadset 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 20+ industry leaders
visiting campus
03
Hands-on learning
Learn how to build & scale a business
from scratch
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
Learn from Top Faculty
Tim Calkins
Professor of Marketing,
Kellogg School of
Management
Ray Titus
Pro Vice Chancellor,
Alliance University |
Visiting Faculty, IIM
Bengaluru
Tushar Jaruhar
Visiting Faculty, Ashoka
University
Sandeep Das
Visiting Faculty, IIM
Bengaluru
Dr. Ashita Aggarwal
Professor of Design
Thinking, SPJIMR
Dr. Ramya
Ranganathan
Professor of
Organisational Behaviour, IIM Bengaluru
Ajit Phadnis
Associate Professor, IIM
Indore
Tim Calkins
Professor of Marketing, Kellogg School of Management
Ray Titus
Pro Vice Chancellor, Alliance University | Visiting Faculty, IIM Bengaluru
Tushar Jaruhar
Visiting Faculty, Ashoka University
Sandeep Das
Visiting Faculty, IIM Bengaluru
Dr. Ashita Aggarwal
Professor of Design Thinking, SPJIMR
Dr. Ramya Ranganathan
Professor of Organisational Behaviour, IIM Bengaluru
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
hours of startup
leader sessions
200
+
Startup founders
have visited campus
130
+
ndian startup case
studies solved
100
+
Startup founders
have visited campus
130
+
Indian startup case
studies solved
100
+
hours of startup
leader sessions
200
+
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 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 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.
Meet Our 2024–2026 Batch
and many more...
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 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 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.
03
Hands-on learning
Get access to lead scet’s
INR 5Cr startup fund
Take your ideas from MVP to PMF with
leadsect’s in-house incubation fund
Take your first step in building a business
from scratch
APPLY NOW
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 lead scet. Learn the
fundamentals taught at leading
business schools, enriched with
practical, hands-on examples
directly from the startup world
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 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.
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
Learn from startup leaders
Abhiraj Bhal
Co-founder, Urban Company
Revant Bhate
CEO, Mosaic Wellness
Vidit Aatrey
Founder & CEO, Meesho
Nikhil Sikri
Co-founder & CEO Zolo
Vedang Patel
Co-Founder, Souled Store
Faye D'souza
Founder, Beatroot News
Armaan Sood
Founder, Sleepy Owl
Vinay Dubey
Co-Founder, Wint Wealth
Anil Goteti
Founder, Scapia
Savitri Bobde
Co-founder & COO, Belong
Utkarsh Gupta
Founder, Scapia
Vartika Bansal
Founder & CEO, Floik
Sajith Pai
Partner, Blume Ventures
Rajesh Yabaji
Co-founder & CEO, Blackbuck
Ragini Das
Co-founder, Leap Club
Prashant Sachan
Founder, Apps for Bharat
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
Learn from top B-school professors & dive into
case-based learning
APPLY NOW
Academicians from
world-renowned business
schools
Learn from top B-school professors & dive into
case-based learning
ADMISSIONS OPEN
01
Pedigreed Faculty
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 lead scet. Learn the
fundamentals taught at leading
business schools, enriched with
practical, hands-on examples
directly from the startup world
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 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.
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
Fleshing out the journey
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Located in the heart of India’s silicon valley
01
State of the Art Classrooms
02
The Lead Scet Pods
03
Lounge Areas
04
Community Spaces
05
Wellness & Fitness
06
WeWork Cafe
Frequently asked questions
02
Admission
03
Careers
01
General
04
Fees & Scholarships
lead scet’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.
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.
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 LEAD places students in the heart of India’s startup ecosystem with real-world networking that can’t be replicated in an online setting.
This is a 24-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.
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.
5
Startups from
founding cohort
50
Lakh +
In funding to students
from founding cohort
25
+
Ex-Founders as
mentors
$1
Mn
ARR from startups
founded by founding cohort
Fleshing out the journey
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
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
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
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
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.
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
CHAT WITH US
Located in the heart of India’s silicon valley
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fleshing out the journey
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
Learn how to build an MVP to test your idea. Put your product/solution in front of users, get feedback and iterate. lead sect provides tools, support and experts required to build out your solution.
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
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
Get a chance to connect with and pitch to top VCs in India’s startup ecosystem during “demo day”. Get access to lead sects 5 Cr investment fund with a cheque size of 10L.