Ritesh Jain, co-founder of LaunchED Global, is on a mission to bridge the gap between education and employability. With operations set to begin in December 2024, the initiative is already working with over 1,000 colleges and 15+ industry partners. Drawing from his experience of scaling an edtech venture to over ₹65 crore without external funding, Ritesh is now building global career programs that prepare students with the skills, projects, and confidence needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market.

In an interview with EduKida, Jain spoke about the importance of skilling and readiness to secure a job and sustain in the system. He also emphasised focusing on delivering careers.

1. What inspired the launch of LaunchED Global, and how has the journey evolved so far?

We both (I and Kajal Dave, Co-Founder of LaunchEd Global) came from building and running companies, and one thing stood out — the talent gap wasn’t about intelligence, it was about readiness. Students were leaving college with degrees, but without the skills, projects, or confidence companies needed. With our combined experience — scaling an edtech venture to Rs 65+ crore bootstrapped and running a startup firsthand — we knew the solution had to be bigger than courses. LaunchED was born to bridge that last mile between education and employment.

We began with a handful of pilot programs. Today, we are present in 1,000+ colleges, have 15+ industry partners, and are expanding into global career programs that give students the same opportunities, no matter where they are from.

2. How does LaunchED’s holistic model differ from traditional EdTech offerings?

Most EdTech platforms focus on delivering content; we focus on delivering careers.

We aren’t just building skills — we’re building mindsets. We believe mindset is just as important as technical knowledge. That’s why at the end of every program, we run exclusive sessions from the founders themselves to shape students’ confidence, adaptability, and business thinking for the real world. LaunchED integrates skill training, live mentorship, real industry projects, and internship experience — all in a single journey. By the time a student completes our program, they’re not just certified, they’re employable with proof of work to show for it.

3. What are the key skills and career pathways that LaunchED focuses on for students and professionals?

We focus on fast-growing sectors like D2C, Fintech, SaaS/B2B, Healthtech, Quick Commerce, AI, and Data Science. Within these, we train for roles across marketing, product, tech, analytics, UI/UX, operations, and global career tracks. Our curriculum is built in collaboration with 40+ founders and CXOs, so it’s not academic theory — it’s what companies are hiring for today.

4. Can you share some examples of measurable impact—placements, skill improvements, or student success stories?

In just the last 6 months, over 17,000 students have completed industry projects through LaunchED, with 78% reporting improved interview conversions. One student from a Tier 3 college in Rajasthan joined us with no prior internship experience and landed a role at a funded startup within 2 months — not because of a certificate, but because they could demonstrate real work.

5. How is LaunchED addressing the needs of students and job-seekers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities?

Talent exists everywhere, but access doesn’t. We designed LaunchED to be 100% online and hybrid-ready, so location never limits opportunity.

We also run on-campus bootcamps in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, bringing mentors, career guidance, and hiring opportunities directly to colleges that typically have limited recruiter access. To break language barriers, we also offer classes in Hindi so students from smaller towns can learn in the language they’re most comfortable with.

6. What role does technology and data play in personalizing learning and career guidance at LaunchED?

Every student starts at a different skill level. Our platform uses AI to create personalized learning roadmaps, tracking skill gaps and progress in real time. The upcoming AI Mentor OS will be a 24/7 career guide — helping students not just learn, but also apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, and make better career decisions.

7. How do you see the future of career-focused EdTech evolving over the next 3–5 years?

The “video course + certificate” era is over. The future belongs to platforms that deliver tangible outcomes — skills, proof of work, and jobs. In the next 3–5 years, AI will make learning hyper-personalized, and deep industry integration will become the standard. Career-focused EdTech won’t just support universities — it will be the backbone of how students transition into the workforce.

8. Are there any upcoming partnerships, platform features, or expansion plans you’d like to highlight?

We’re piloting our hybrid Career Launchpad Program with universities nationwide, expanding study abroad and work abroad tracks, building Zovv — India’s first campus ambassador network where brands can directly connect with trained student ambassadors across the country — and deepening our industry-wise focused learning for sectors like D2C, Fintech, Healthtech, and more.

9. What advice would you give to young learners navigating an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing job market?

Don’t just collect degrees — build proof of skill. Your portfolio is now more powerful than your CV. Stay adaptable, because the most in-demand jobs of tomorrow may not exist today. Keep learning, stay curious, and take every opportunity to work on real problems.

10. How does LaunchED integrate values like inclusion, access, and lifelong learning into its programs?

Our programs are designed to be accessible in pricing, hybrid in delivery, and inclusive in reach — whether a student is from a top metro college or a small-town campus. We’re building tools like the AI Mentor OS to ensure every learner, regardless of background, has access to quality training, guidance, and opportunities for life.