Ronnie Screwvala, the Chairperson and Co-Founder of upGrad, is a prominent Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist. His accolades include being named among Esquire’s “75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century” and earning a spot on Time Magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2009. Fortune Magazine also recognized him among “25 Asia’s Most Powerful People.”
In 2015, Screwvala co-founded upGrad, a revolutionary platform aimed at providing formal education online. In just four years, upGrad transformed into India’s largest online higher education company, impacting over 363,000 individuals globally and onboarding more than 18,000 paid learners.
upGrad specializes in programs related to Data Science, Technology, and Management, catering to college students, working professionals, and enterprises. These programs, developed in collaboration with prestigious institutions like IIT Madras, IIIT-B, BITS Pilani, MICA, and Cambridge Judge Business School Executive Education, are enriched with features like one-on-one mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, industry networking, and expert career guidance.
The company’s excellence in the field was acknowledged with the ‘Best Tech for Education’ award by IAMAI in 2019 and the ‘Best Education Brands’ recognition by Economic Times. upGrad also secured a spot on LinkedIn’s ‘Top 25 Startups’ list in both 2018 and 2019, reaffirming its commitment to redefining online education.
Beyond the realm of education and entrepreneurship, Screwvala, along with his wife Zarina, has dedicated significant efforts to the Swades Foundation. This philanthropic endeavor aims to uplift a million people from poverty, primarily focusing on Water, Sanitation, Health, Education, and Livelihood opportunities in Maharashtra.
Screwvala’s venture Unilazer Ventures serves as a platform for VC/PE investments in India’s new economy companies and startups. With a focus on early-stage investments and leveraging his entrepreneurial experience, Screwvala has diversified Unilazer’s portfolio across sectors like e-commerce, online eyewear, AI, Agriculture, and Microhousing Finance.
His journey also includes the founding of UTV, a pioneering media conglomerate that contributed to the growth of the Indian film and entertainment industry. Over the years, UTV produced numerous acclaimed movies, operated a network of eight channels, ventured into gaming, and garnered numerous awards before being acquired by Disney in 2012.
Ronnie Screwvala’s career is a testament to his visionary leadership, dedication to education, and commitment to social impact, leaving an enduring legacy in India’s business and entertainment landscape.
Check out his Instagram profile.
