Bower School of Entrepreneurship has raised ₹26.8 crore in a pre-Series A funding round as it looks to expand its entrepreneurship education ecosystem across India. The funding will support the development of a standalone campus in Hyderabad, strengthen its existing programmes, expand university partnerships and build a technology platform connecting students, founders, mentors and the wider Bower community.
The latest round follows the institution’s earlier seed funding of ₹11.5 crore. It brings together existing investors who have backed Bower’s progress, along with new investors from the education sector, a Silicon Valley-based investor and other high-net-worth individuals.
The continued support from existing investors, combined with fresh participation from education-focused investors, reflects growing interest in entrepreneurship education and programmes that help people develop the skills and confidence needed to build businesses.
As part of this development, Ravi Reddy and Bharath Maguluri, who participated in the latest funding round as investors, have subsequently joined Bower as Partners.
Bower School Looks to Expand Its Entrepreneurship Programmes
Founded by Pavan Allena, Bower School of Entrepreneurship focuses on helping learners understand and practise entrepreneurship through education, mentorship and hands-on experience.
The institution has supported more than 150 startups and launched nine programmes covering school education, undergraduate learning, executive education and founder development.
Its current reach includes more than 8,000 K-12 learners, 50 students in its undergraduate programme and 150 executive education students. Its Founder OS platform connects more than 2,000 founders, while over 200 students are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through Bower’s institutional partnerships.
Alongside its educational programmes, Bower has developed a technology and operating system designed to support founders beyond the classroom. The institution now plans to build on this foundation by bringing its programmes, mentors, founders and community closer together through an expanded technology platform.
Commenting on the funding, Pavan Allena, Founder and CEO of Bower School of Entrepreneurship, said the institution aims to create an environment where entrepreneurship is practised and supported rather than limited to classroom learning.
He noted that Bower has already supported more than 150 startups and introduced nine programmes, but the institution is still at an early stage of its development.
According to Allena, the latest funding will help strengthen the programmes, bring more skilled professionals into the team, expand university partnerships and develop a connected technology and community platform. The long-term ambition is to establish Bower as a leading centre for entrepreneurship in India and help more people build ventures that create opportunities for others.
New Partners to Help Build Global Connections
Ravi Reddy, who has joined Bower as a Partner, brings experience connected to the US and Silicon Valley entrepreneurial ecosystem. He aims to use this experience to help Indian entrepreneurs gain access to relevant mentors, technology and markets.
Sharing his perspective, Ravi Reddy, Partner at Bower School of Entrepreneurship, said his experience with the US and Silicon Valley ecosystems showed him the opportunities that emerge when talented people have access to the right support and resources.
As a co-founder of Bower, Reddy wants to help build similar connections for aspiring entrepreneurs in India and encourage them to develop businesses that can compete in global markets.
Bharath Maguluri, who has also joined Bower as a Partner, will contribute to the institution’s efforts to strengthen its programmes and reach more learners across the country.
Maguluri said his decision to become a co-founder of Bower is rooted in the belief that education can create a lasting impact when it equips people with the confidence and capabilities to create opportunities for themselves and others. He aims to help develop a generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute to India’s economic growth.
Funding to Support a Standalone Campus and Technology Platform
A key part of Bower’s expansion plan is the development of a standalone campus in Hyderabad. The new capital will also support student enrolment, team expansion and the recruitment of educators, industry practitioners and venture specialists.
The institution plans to further develop its technology platform to connect learners with programmes, mentors, founders and the wider entrepreneurship community. It also intends to deepen its relationships with existing university partners and establish new institutional collaborations.
Through these initiatives, Bower aims to extend its reach across more states in India and create opportunities for learners at different stages of their educational and professional journeys.
The expansion builds on Allena’s earlier experience in entrepreneurship education. Before founding Bower, he built Metamorphosis Edu, a venture that introduced entrepreneurship learning in schools and was later acquired by BrightCHAMPS. He subsequently worked on BrightCHAMPS’ school-focused business.
Bower builds on that experience with a broader approach, aiming to support individuals from their first introduction to entrepreneurship through the practical challenges of establishing and growing a venture.
About Bower School of Entrepreneurship
Bower School of Entrepreneurship is a Hyderabad-based institution offering entrepreneurship programmes for school students, undergraduates, working professionals and founders.
Its approach combines practical learning from experienced professionals with mentorship, community support and opportunities to build real ventures. Through its educational programmes, university partnerships and technology platform, the institution aims to help more people develop entrepreneurial skills and turn their ideas into businesses.
-By Shivani Solanki
