What Shahani Group does

Shahani Group is a family-owned educational and philanthropic conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai, India, now in its fourth generation of leadership under Dr. Maya Shahani (Chairperson) and Dr. Akhil Shahani (Managing Director). The Group traces its roots to Thadomal Shahani's mid-19th century entry into education and the 1958 establishment of The Shahani Trust, and now manages a portfolio of 28+ iconic Mumbai colleges (including Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, HR College, KC College, and National College) alongside operating subsidiaries spanning higher education (TSCFM, TSIT, TSCMC), vocational training (Smart Institute), edtech (ask.CAREERS with mobile apps for interview prep and diploma delivery), career services (Ask Talent Services using psychometric/aptitude assessment), social entrepreneurship incubation (UnLtd India), and CSR (SAGE Foundation, affiliated with the UN Alliance of Civilizations and Clinton Global Initiative).

Its operating technology centers on a mobile-first edtech platform — ask.CAREERS and the ask.Interview Prep Guide app on Android (iOS forthcoming) — paired with blended in-class workshops through an India-wide education partner network and proprietary aptitude, behavioral, and skill evaluation tools. TSCFM extends the Group's reach into a global network of 500 colleges and 75 universities across 56 countries, credentialing more than 50,000 students annually through internationally recognized MBAs and Management Diplomas. Group-wide product coverage spans management, banking, finance, real estate, digital marketing, media, IT, AI/ML, data science, animation, VFX, gaming, and graphic design, delivered through offline centers, mobile apps, and partner-led workshops.

The Group's revenue model is primarily tuition and program fees from higher-education and vocational diplomas, supplemented by corporate training and placement services and grant-funded CSR skilling programs (notably a Rs 17 crore / ~$2.25M JP Morgan grant through SAGE Foundation in 2020 for BFSI upskilling of 4,800 disadvantaged graduates). Customer segments are largely individual students and graduates across India (with tier-2/tier-3 emphasis on the edtech side), alongside under-privileged communities served via CSR, corporate employers consuming talent and upskilling services, and social entrepreneurs via UnLtd India. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the consumer-facing ask.Interview Prep Guide app is free-to-use, supporting a freemium funnel into paid diploma programs.

Name

Shahani Group

Legal name

Shahani Group

Website

https://shahanigroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Shahani Group is a family-owned Mumbai-based educational conglomerate managing colleges, vocational institutes, and an edtech platform (ask.CAREERS) that delivers diplomas in management, technology, media, and finance to Indian students and graduates, with affiliated CSR and incubation arms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Training Course Marketplaces (B2B Content Libraries) (EDAFAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training (BPAEANAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Management diploma programs
• Edtech mobile learning
• Career counseling services
• Vocational training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Educational Programs and Course Fees: Revenue from tuition fees for management diplomas, MBAs, and professional courses in banking, finance, real estate, digital marketing, media, IT, and creative fields offered through Smart Institute, TSCFM, TSIT, TSCMC, and ask.CAREERS
2. Skill Development and Training Services: Training programs for corporates and placement services including BFSI sector upskilling initiatives
3. Educational Technology Platform Services: Mobile app-based learning delivery with in-class workshops through education partners across India
4. CSR and Nonprofit Initiatives: Grant funding from corporate partners for training economically disadvantaged graduates (JP Morgan Rs 17 crore grant to SAGE Foundation)

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Shahani Group operates a portfolio of higher education and vocational training institutions including TSCFM (management diplomas/MBAs), Smart Institute (employment-oriented diplomas), TSIT (IT/AI/Data Science programs), and TSCMC (media education). It delivers these programs through a hybrid online-offline model anchored by the ask.CAREERS edtech mobile platform, in-class workshops via education partners, and affiliated colleges in Mumbai, alongside career counseling and aptitude assessment services via Ask Talent Services.

Product overview

The Shahani Group is a multi-initiative education conglomerate offering a portfolio of interconnected products spanning higher education, vocational training, edtech, career services, and social impact. Core educational institutions include TSCFM (MBA/management diplomas with global university partnerships), Smart Institute (employment-oriented diplomas via online/offline channels), TSIT (technology and creative programs in AI/ML/Data Science), and TSCMC (media education). The Group's edtech ecosystem centers on ask.CAREERS (mobile-based diploma platform with interview preparation tools) and Ask Talent Services (career counseling and aptitude evaluation, the first step in the 3E approach). Social initiatives include SAGE Foundation (CSR skills training), UnLtd India (social entrepreneur incubation), and The Shahani Trust (established educational and healthcare institutions since 1958). The portfolio provides a comprehensive pipeline from career evaluation through education to employment placement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TSCFM: Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management - provides internationally recognized MBAs and Management Diplomas
• Smart Institute
• UnLtd India
• Ask Talent Services
• TSIT
• ask.CAREERS
• SAGE Foundation
• The Shahani Trust
• TSCMC

Products and services

• Smart Institute Education company providing employment-oriented courses via online apps and offline learning centres. Offers diplomas and degrees in Management, Banking, Finance, Real Estate, Digital Marketing, and Media for students and working professionals.
• TSCFM (Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management) Part of a global network of 500 colleges and 75 top universities providing internationally recognized MBAs and Management Diplomas to more than 50,000 students annually in 56 countries. Offers globally relevant curriculum with innovative teaching methodology and international faculty.
• ask.CAREERS Edtech platform providing industry-oriented diplomas (Banking, Real Estate, Media, Management) through a blended learning model using a mobile app supported by in-class workshops through education partners across India. Develops students' attitudes, skills, and industry knowledge for employability.
• Ask Talent Services Career counseling service using a systematic and scientific process (ATS) to help students understand themselves and plan career paths based on aptitude, strengths, interests, emotional quotient, and other factors. Functions as the first step in the Shahani Group's 3E (Evaluation, Education, Employment) approach.
• UnLtd India Incubation program for early-stage social entrepreneurs in India, providing one-on-one coaching, peer learning with monthly evaluations, access to mentors and funders, and opportunities to maximize leadership potential and deliver high-impact change.
• TSCMC (Thadomal Shahani Centre for Media & Communication) Media education institution offering college and curriculum designed for students seeking to enter the media industry, preparing the whole student for life in media through a multi-dimensional approach.
• TSIT (Thadomal Shahani Institute of Technology) Institute offering industry-focused programs in Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Data Science, and creative domains such as Animation, VFX, Gaming, Graphics Design, and Digital Marketing. Designed to bridge education and employability for future-ready careers.
• ask.Interview Prep Guide Mobile App Interactive mobile application providing interview preparedness modules with practice video submission and expert feedback capabilities, targeted at college graduates and freshers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ students educated annually across 56 countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• United Nations Alliance of CivilizationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE Foundation is affiliated with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. Dr. Maya Shahani serves as Vice Chairperson of Global Dialogue Foundation working under the aegis of UN Alliance of Civilizations.
• Clinton Global InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE Foundation is affiliated with the Clinton Global Initiative. The foundation received a Clinton Global Initiative Award presented at the hands of President Bill Clinton.
• Buy1Give1minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE Foundation is affiliated with Buy1Give1 for CSR initiatives.
• XL NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE Foundation is affiliated with XL Nation for social impact initiatives.
• PATT FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGE Foundation is affiliated with PATT Foundation for environmental and social initiatives.
• HSNC BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Maya Shahani is trustee of HSNC Board which runs 27 prestigious educational institutes in Mumbai and is the parent body of HSNC University.
• Global Network of UniversitiesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTSCFM is part of a global network of 500 colleges and 75 top universities providing internationally recognized MBAs and Management Diplomas to more than 50,000 students annually in 56 countries.
• Kellogg School of ManagementcoreOthersDr. Akhil Shahani holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, bringing international methods of education to India.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Amity University: Large Indian private university with multi-disciplinary programs including management, technology, media, and law. Operates at significantly larger scale with broader program portfolio than Shahani Group.
• NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies): Large Mumbai-based deemed university offering management, technology, and professional programs. Same Mumbai market and overlapping management/technology education portfolio as Shahani Group's colleges.
• LinkedIn Learning: Global professional development and skills training platform offering courses in technology, business, and creative fields. Competes with Shahani's edtech and corporate training offerings at significantly larger scale with employer integration.
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE): Major Indian private university group with diversified programs across management, technology, media, and life sciences. Comparable higher education conglomerate model with significantly larger scale and geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Eruditus: Global executive education provider partnering with top business schools to offer online certificate and diploma programs. Directly comparable to TSCFM's model of partnering with a global network of universities to deliver management education.
• Simplilearn: Professional certification and digital skills training provider offering bootcamps and certification prep in technology and management. Comparable to Shahani's employment-oriented diploma programs in technology and digital marketing domains.
• SP Jain School of Global Management: Mumbai-based management school with international campuses offering MBA and management diplomas. Direct competitor in the same Mumbai market and similar international-management-education positioning as TSCFM.
• Great Learning: India-focused professional and management development training provider covering data science, AI, management, and technology programs. Comparable to Shahani's TSIT and TSCFM offerings targeting working professionals and fresh graduates.
• upGrad: Mumbai-headquartered online higher education and upskilling platform offering management, technology, and professional programs. Direct competitor in India's professional/management education and edtech segments targeted by Shahani's TSCFM and ask.CAREERS.

Emerging players

• Unacademy: Indian edtech platform offering test preparation and professional courses. Partial overlap with Shahani's student-targeted offerings, particularly in career preparation and skill development segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-management

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shahani Group