Early Bird Round closes on 21st December 2025

Admissions for PGP in Startup Leadership

Early Bird Deadline: 21st December 2025

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Is this program for me?

1
You’re driven to join an early-stage startup.
2
You want to play a key role in India’s booming startup scene.
3
You’re ready for high-impact, decision-making roles.
4
You’re already in the startup game but want to level up.
5
You value staying relevant over earning a degree.
6
You’ve got an idea but need guidance to kickstart it.
7
You’re eager to experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur.
8
You’re seeking a unique, career-transforming learning experience

Who Makes it to Mesa?

Answering the question we get asked most: what do we look for in our students?

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Eligibility
Criterion

Education

We encourage students from all UG discipline backgrounds to apply.

Professional Experience

It is ideal to have more than one year of work experience

What it takes

The right growth mindset; hungry to learn
An obsession with the startup world
A problem-solving
attitude
The ability to articulate confidently & crisply

The Application Process

A 4-step process that is rigorous & challenging,
and evaluates you in a holistic manner

Get started on the 4-step Mesa Application Process

ADMISSIONS OPEN

Info Session

A 30-minute online session conducted by our co-founder Varun Limaye where you're walked through everything about the Mesa program. This is a compulsary step, and you cannot proceed further with the application without attending an info session!

Mesa Admissions Test

A 60-minute online session that is divided into 3 main parts. Part 1 is in MCQ format that covers questions around numerical reasoning, critical thinking & logical reasoning. Part 2 is a video essay and Part 3 is a written component, prompts for both will be given on the spot.

Written Essay

A 500-word essay that is an important part of the Mesa Application - this is your chance to tell us your story, so ensure you spend time perfecting it.

Interview Process

Shortlisted candidates will have an in-person interaction with our admission panel, which will include faculty, startup leaders and the founders. The interview process also includes take-home assignments.

A step-by-step guide


1
Register & join our info session

Create your account on the application portal & attend a webinar that deep-dives into our program.

2
Take the Mesa Admissions Test

Book your slot for our online 60-minute test – ensure you’re well prepped since you can only take the test once!

3
Complete essay & pay the fee

Give us a brief history of your education & work, work on the essay based on the prompt given & pay the application fee.

4
Panel Interview

Once shortlisted, you will speak to a panel of startup leaders, faculty, Mesa founders and/or team members. After the conversation, you will be given a unique case-based assignment to assess your thinking skills.

5
The Final Decision

You will hear back from the Admissions Team on any one of these three options: selected, waitlisted, or rejected

Key dates and deadlines

Rounds
Deadline
Interviews
Application Fee
Course Fee
Apply Now
Early Bird
21st December 2025
January 2026
Rs 2,500/-
(for Early Bird only)
Rs 20,35,000/-
Round 1
February 2026
Feb - March 2026
Rs 3,500/-
Rs 21,35,000/-
Round 2
April 2026
April 2026
Rs 3,500/-
Rs 21,35,000/-
Round 3
June 2026
July 2026
Rs 3,500/-
Rs 21,35,000/-

*This round will close immediately once the seats are filled. 76% of the cohort is filled after Round 2.
** Fee amounts mentioned above are exclusive of applicable 18% GST
*** Residential facilities will be made available to students starting at INR 3.5-4.5 lac per year depending on preferences chosen"

Scholarships

The Mesa cohort comprises of exceptional & diverse candidates. We are committed to eliminating all financial barriers for these outstanding individuals, guaranteeing an unparalleled peer learning experience.


Underdog Scholarship
for applicants who feel they lack a big-brand university or employer
Merit-Based Scholarship
for applicants with exceptional academic performance, test scores, or professional accomplishments
Trailblaz-her Scholarship
for women who have demonstrated leadership abilities or founded their own venture
Sherdil Scholarship
Sherdil Scholarship for veterans (<10 years of experience) who are keen to transition into startup leadership
Bob the Builder Scholarship
for ex-founders who want to continue building in startups
Bharat Builder Scholarship
for applicants who have built at grassroot levels in non-profit or impact organizations