The Mumbai-based edtech firm sees its collaboration with Seed Group as a strategic step toward global growth, aligning with the UAE’s increasing emphasis on innovation, technology, and economic diversification.
upGrad, the Mumbai-based edtech company, has teamed up with Seed Group, part of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, to promote AI-driven learning and workforce upskilling in the UAE and MENA region.
Focused on expanding internationally, upGrad sees this partnership as a key opportunity to extend its global reach, particularly as the UAE enhances its focus on innovation and economic diversification.
Myleeta Aga Williams, upGrad’s CEO of International Consumer Business, commented, “Business and government leaders in the UAE are recognizing AI’s transformative impact and are eager to invest in advanced technologies to enhance organizational capabilities.”
This collaboration is set to increase access to upGrad’s higher education programs in Dubai and the broader region, empowering individuals to upskill and businesses to provide tailored skill development solutions. Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group, emphasized, “As Dubai prioritizes human capital, upGrad’s GenAI-focused programs will help bridge critical skill gaps, equipping businesses with the expertise required to thrive in the digital economy.”
Seed Group has supported international companies’ growth in MENA for over 20 years, with a focus on sustainable market entry and expansion under The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum.
Operating in over 15 countries, upGrad provides a wide range of online and hybrid skill-based degrees, certifications, and bootcamps through its consumer segment.
The company’s enterprise arm has rapidly become a key driver of growth, with potential to surpass the consumer segment. Both segments, however, are vital to the business and work synergistically, says Srikanth Iyengar, quoted by the CEO of upGrad Enterprise.
In India, upGrad has rolled out multiple AI-driven initiatives this year. In February, the company launched an AI incubator to foster and scale domestic AI startups, committing Rs 100 crore to support product innovation with infrastructure and seed funding.
This initiative complements upGrad’s ongoing collaborations with industry and government to offer AI training to over a million learners and establish AI centres of excellence across Maharashtra, supported by an investment of Rs 2,150 crore.
