What Sage Foundation does

Sage Foundation (Shahani Academic & Global Empowerment Foundation) is a Mumbai-headquartered non-profit organization incorporated in 2007 under Section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, operating as the philanthropic arm of The Shahani Group. Its core function is delivering job-skills training and placement for underprivileged Indian youth into white-collar roles, with primary vertical focus on the BFSI sector. The foundation operates an AI-driven EdTech platform that develops English communication, sales, problem-solving, collaboration, professionalism, and industry knowledge over a 45-90 day training window, and complements it with mobile applications under the ask.CAREERS brand, including ask-Business English, ask-Job Interview Prep, ask-Banking Course, and the 2024-launched ask.Interview Prep Guide with video practice and expert feedback. Its product portfolio also includes a UGC-recognized two-year MBA IT program and professional diploma/certificate programs in banking, financial services and insurance (CBFSI), investment banking (CIB), and relationship management (PDRM), delivered primarily through training partner Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management (TSCFM) under NSDC and EduQual (UK) accreditation.

The foundation runs a dual-sided market model: student acquisition flows through partnerships with 80+ NGOs, corporate CSR funds, foundations, and universities, while placement flows through 250+ BFSI and enterprise hiring partners including major banks, brokerages, and professional services firms. Revenue mechanics comprise corporate CSR grants (anchored by JP Morgan and Axis Bank Foundation), program fees from MBA and diploma courses offered with EMI options and scholarships, and university partnership revenue through the Universities Support Program. Technology infrastructure and administrative costs are structurally subsidized by sister company Smart Institute Pvt. Ltd., enabling the foundation to direct over 90% of raised funds into skilling projects. Since 2008, SAGE Foundation has impacted 15,000+ students with a stated 90% placement rate and is publicly committed to scaling to one million trained students. The organization holds 12(A), 80(G), CSR-1, and FCRA registrations, has received 12 awards including Clinton Global Initiative recognition, and operates UnLtd India as a jointly controlled social-entrepreneurship incubator.

Name

Sage Foundation

Legal name

Shahani Academic & Global Empowerment (SAGE) Foundation

Website

https://thesagefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Skills Training and Workforce Development

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

Keywords

• Vocational skills training
• BFSI career training
• Youth employment programs
• Professional certification programs
• AI-driven EdTech platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CSR and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from corporations like JP Morgan and other funders to implement skilling projects for underprivileged youth
2. Education and Training Programs: Revenue from affordable MBA and diploma programs with EMI options and scholarship provisions for students
3. Corporate Partnerships: Funding and support from corporate CSR funds and foundations including Axis Bank Foundation for training and placement programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sage Foundation is a non-profit skills training organization that prepares underprivileged Indian youth for white-collar jobs in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector through an AI-driven EdTech platform, 45-90 day employability programs, and a portfolio of certificate and diploma courses. The foundation delivers training directly and through training partner TSCFM, then facilitates placement via a network of 250+ hiring partners. Its mobile learning suite (ask-Business English, ask-Job Interview Prep, ask-Banking Course, ask.Interview Prep Guide) extends training delivery to students' smartphones.

Product overview

The Sage Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on providing job skills training and placement for underprivileged youth in India. Its offering consists of a portfolio of education and training products: a UGC-recognized Master of Business Administration in IT (MBA IT) and professional diploma programs including the Certificate in Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (CBFSI) and Certificate in Investment Banking (CIB), all delivered through its primary training partner Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management (TSCFM). Core to the skilling mission is an AI-driven EdTech platform that delivers a 45-day job skills training program covering English communication, sales, critical thinking, collaboration, and professionalism, complemented by mobile learning applications under the ask.CAREERS brand (ask-Business English App, ask-Job Interview Prep, ask-Banking Course). The ask.Interview Prep Guide is the most recent product launch — a standalone mobile app offering video-based interview practice and expert feedback. The Universities Support Program and Professional Diploma in Relationship Management (PDRM) extend the offering into university partnerships and specialized diploma tracks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ask.CAREERS: Edtech platform developed by Smart Institute Initiative and part of the Shahani Group, offering mobile applications for interview preparation, business English, and banking courses
• Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management (TSCFM)

Products and services

• Master of Business Administration in IT (MBA IT) A UGC-recognized 2-year Master of Business Administration in IT program delivered in regular, weekend, and hybrid modes, focused on developing business acumen, leadership skills, and industry-ready techno-commercial competencies for students.
• Certificate in Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (CBFSI) A professional diploma program that skills underprivileged graduates for white-collar jobs in the banking and financial services sector, offering dual certifications and placement assistance through 250+ hiring partners.
• Certificate in Investment Banking (CIB) A certificate program in investment banking offering three certifications including a government-recognized certification, covering fundamentals of investment banking, financial markets, investment strategies, risk management, and financial planning.
• Job Skills Training and Placement Program A skilling program that uses an AI-driven EdTech platform to train underprivileged youth in English communication, selling skills, problem solving, collaboration, professionalism, and industry knowledge within a 45-day period, culminating in placement in BFSI sector roles through 250+ hiring partners.
• ask.Interview Prep Guide Mobile App An interactive mobile application under the ask.CAREERS brand that helps college graduates and freshers prepare for job interviews through four how-to modules covering self-introduction, goal communication, organizational knowledge projection, and bouncer questions, with a video recording feature for expert feedback.
• ask-Business English Mobile App Mobile application under the ask.CAREERS platform designed to develop business English proficiency for students via smartphones.
• ask-Job Interview Prep Mobile App Mobile application under the ask.CAREERS platform providing job interview preparation content and exercises for students.
• ask-Banking Course Mobile App Mobile application under the ask.CAREERS platform delivering banking course content to students via smartphones.
• Universities Support Program A program that helps universities and colleges upskill students throughout their graduation to make them employable in the banking and finance sector, including career guidance seminars, employability assessments, and upskilling aligned with BFSI hiring requirements.
• Professional Diploma in Relationship Management (PDRM) A professional diploma program in relationship management, under which banking quiz competitions and on-job training sessions are conducted for students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% placement rate for 15000+ students trained in BFSI Sector over the last 2 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 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

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management (TSCFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSDC-approved training partner delivering banking, finance, and management programs. Ranked #3 institute for global MBA courses in India by Outlook India. Provides diploma, certification, and master programs with strong industry connections.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-affiliated skills development partner providing accreditation for SAGE Foundation's training programs. Offers government-approved management certification in Marketing, Finance, and Operations.
• Smart Institute Pvt. Ltd.coreOthersSister company that subsidizes SAGE Foundation's technology infrastructure and admin costs, enabling over 90% of funds to be used for skilling projects.
• ask.CAREERScoreTechnology or IntegrationEdTech platform (Smart Institute Initiative) that provides mobile applications for interview preparation, business English, and banking courses.
• Antarang FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNGO partner helping less fortunate students access SAGE Foundation programs
• Oscar FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNGO partner supporting less fortunate students through SAGE Foundation programs
• UnLtd IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncubator for early-stage social entrepreneurs. SAGE Foundation's initiative to foster social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Global Dialogue FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Alliance of Civilizations initiative. Dr. Maya Shahani serves as Vice Chairperson. Partnership focuses on Unity in Diversity through education.
• ShikshangramminorOthersShelter for homeless children in Lonavala adopted by SAGE Foundation
• EduQual (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK government-recognized qualifications body providing globally recognized diplomas and post graduate diplomas through TSCFM partnership

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• EdelGive Foundation: Indian philanthropic foundation that funds and partners with high-impact education and livelihood NGOs. Relevant as a potential peer funder/ecosystem participant; directly comparable funding-source profile to SAGE's grant partners (JP Morgan, Axis Bank Foundation) and competitor for the same donor pool.

Emerging players

• Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management (TSCFM): SAGE's primary training partner and sister institution within the Shahani Group, ranked #3 for global MBA courses in India by Outlook India. Comparable educational offering (MBA, BFSI certificates) but operates on a fee-paying model rather than grant-funded non-profit model.

Broad incumbents

• NASSCOM Foundation: Industry-led non-profit arm of NASSCOM focused on technology-enabled skilling and livelihood programs for underprivileged youth. Comparable non-profit funding model, comparable beneficiary segment, with somewhat broader sector focus (IT/tech enabled) versus SAGE's BFSI focus.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Government-backed umbrella body that accredits and funds skill training providers across India, including SAGE's training partner TSCFM. Sets the regulatory and accreditation framework within which SAGE operates and represents both an enabling partner and a competitive incumbent in the same funding pool.
• YuWaah (UNICEF India Generation Unlimited): Multi-stakeholder partnership (led by UNICEF and UNDP) focused on skilling and employability for young Indians, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds. Comparable mission and beneficiary pool, with access to UN-backed international donor funding as a competitive alternative for the same CSR pool.

Direct peers

• IL&FS Skills Development Corporation: Large Indian skilling non-profit focused on placement-linked vocational training for underprivileged youth across multiple sectors. Comparable model, beneficiary profile, and reliance on government/CSR funding for scaling.
• Quest Alliance: India-based non-profit transforming learning for underprivileged youth aged 14-28 through employability and 21st-century skills training. Comparable mission and learner persona, with a comparable model blending classroom training with employer partnerships.
• Tata Strive: Tata Group's skill development initiative training underprivileged youth for industry jobs, with strong corporate-employer placement networks. Highly comparable model combining CSR funding, vocational training, and employer-led placements, backed by Tata brand credibility.
• Pratham Education Foundation: One of India's largest education-focused NGOs, operating youth employability and vocational skilling programs for low-income populations. Directly comparable mission (education-to-employment for underprivileged youth) and non-profit funding model, though Pratham operates at significantly greater scale.
• Magic Bus India Foundation: Non-profit focused on taking underprivileged youth from childhood to livelihood through employability skilling programs. Comparable target segment (low-income youth), comparable funding sources (CSR and grants), and comparable outcome metrics (placement rates).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thesagefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sage-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/thesage.foundation

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sage Foundation