From ₹30,000 to ₹10 Crore: The Journey of Himansu Sekhar Panda and Skyy Skill Academy
In 2018, Himansu Sekhar Panda founded Skyy Skill Academy in Odisha, with no external funding and only ₹30,000 to his name. Today, his EdTech startup has grown into a thriving enterprise, achieving an impressive ₹10 crore annual revenue while training over 2 lakh students across India. This is the remarkable story of how Skyy Skill Academy is addressing India’s skill gap and equipping its youth with the skills necessary to succeed in today’s job market.
The Skill Gap Crisis in India
Every year, millions of Indian engineering graduates find themselves struggling to secure jobs—not because of a lack of talent, but because their college education fails to prepare them for the real world. Graduates often lack exposure to modern technologies like EVs, solar power, robotics, and AI, leading to a low employability rate. According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, only 51.25% of Indian graduates are considered employable.
Himansu Sekhar Panda, an engineer from Odisha, saw this problem firsthand. During his college days, a flying drone at a tech festival sparked his interest in technology, but without the right mentorship or resources, he couldn’t explore it further. Realizing that this was a widespread issue for many students, Himansu decided to create a solution.
In 2018, he founded Skyy Rider Institutions, later rebranded as Skyy Skill Academy, with the goal of making India’s youth job-ready through practical, industry-oriented training.
Skyy Skill Academy: Changing the Way India Learns
Skyy Skill Academy’s innovative approach to education includes three key learning models:
Online Live Programs: These real-time, instructor-led sessions are paired with two-year access to course recordings. Unlike traditional self-paced courses, live teaching helps keep students engaged and reduces dropout rates. “80% of students quit self-paced courses, but live teaching ensures engagement,” Himansu explains.
Hybrid Learning: Combining 20-30% in-person lab training with 70-80% online education, this model is ideal for working professionals seeking flexibility without compromising hands-on learning.
Full-Time Offline Programs: Offered at campuses in Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, students get hands-on experience with technologies like EV batteries, AI kits, and solar diagnostic tools, ensuring they are truly job-ready upon graduation.
Skyy Skill Academy ensures its programs are affordable, with short-term certifications starting at ₹2,000 and long-term, job-guaranteed programs priced between ₹20,000 and ₹1.5 lakh.
“We’re not just focused on courses; we’re focused on outcomes. Every student gets unlimited interview opportunities until they are placed,” Himansu emphasizes, highlighting the academy’s commitment to student success.
A Humble Start and Overcoming Obstacles
Himansu’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t without its challenges. Raised in a small town in Odisha with parents in government jobs, Himansu was always passionate about mentoring. During college, he began training students on how to assemble cars, but he initially followed a conventional career path after earning his engineering degree.
He joined Triveni Turbines Limited, working in partnership with General Electric, with a salary of ₹7-8 LPA. While it was a stable job, corporate life didn’t fulfill him. Himansu wanted something more impactful, and he decided to leave his job in 2017, even though it meant paying ₹3 lakh to break his contract.
To save money for his startup, he bought a bicycle and cycled 10 kilometers every day. With an initial investment of ₹30,000-₹40,000, he launched Skyy Rider Institutions, which eventually became Skyy Skill Academy.
Skyy Skill Academy’s Growth: From 18 Students to Over 2 Lakh Trained
Skyy Skill Academy began with a small summer internship for just 18 students, but by 2024, the academy had trained over 2 lakh students across its online, hybrid, and offline programs. In 2023 alone, more than 800 students found placements in leading companies like Ola Electric, Tata Technologies, Gravton Motors, and Ampere.
The academy has also established over 60 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in colleges across Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh, resulting in a 40–50% improvement in placement rates at partner institutions.
Bootstrapped Growth: From ₹30,000 to ₹10 Crore
Skyy Skill Academy’s success story is particularly remarkable because it was completely bootstrapped. Starting with just ₹30,000-₹40,000, Himansu used his personal marketing efforts—visiting hostels and colleges—to spread the word. In its first year, the academy generated ₹30 lakh in revenue.
However, the journey wasn’t always smooth. In 2019, Cyclone Fani damaged training infrastructure worth ₹10 lakh, temporarily affecting revenue. But the academy’s hybrid learning model and strategic college partnerships laid a strong foundation for future growth.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Skyy Skill Academy adapted quickly by transitioning to online live sessions. This move allowed the academy to enroll over 3,500 students, stabilizing revenue and proving that online learning could be successful at scale.
After the pandemic, the academy expanded rapidly, scaling its Centers of Excellence, introducing hybrid and offline programs, and partnering with CSR initiatives like the Shell Foundation. By 2024, Skyy Skill Academy achieved ₹10 crore in annual revenue, all without external funding.
The Future: A Skill University and Nationwide Expansion
Skyy Skill Academy has big plans for the future. The startup is working towards creating a dedicated Skill University, where companies will compete to recruit the most skilled graduates. The academy also plans to expand its Centers of Excellence to over 200 locations nationwide and enter the lab equipment manufacturing space to supply affordable tools to technical institutes across India.
By 2025, Himansu aims to achieve ₹25 crore in revenue and lay the foundation for the Skill University. “We don’t want to create just another university. We want to build a system where every graduate is industry-ready before they even receive their degree,” Himansu says, looking ahead to a bright future for Skyy Skill Academy.
Conclusion
Skyy Skill Academy’s success is a true testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and a deep commitment to solving real-world problems. From a small town in Odisha to building a ₹10 crore business, Himansu Sekhar Panda has proven that with determination, even the most humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary success. As Skyy Skill Academy continues to grow, it is shaping India’s future by equipping the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market.










