Picture this: It’s 11 PM, you just finished dinner, the kid is finally asleep, and instead of scrolling Instagram, you open your laptop and attend a live class with the co-founder of boAt. Sounds crazy? That’s exactly what’s happening right now with thousands of Indians who joined the Online MBA in Entrepreneurship & Leadership from JAIN University and Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ).
My friend Arjun did it two years back. He was a mid-level manager earning ₹9 lakh, frustrated because his startup idea was stuck on paper. Today he runs a ₹4 crore ARR ed-tech company and he never quit his job till the business paid him more than his salary. That’s the kind of story I keep hearing again and again. Here are the real seven reasons people are going all-in on these programs in 2025.
Why People Don’t Have to Quit Their Jobs
Life doesn’t stop because you want an MBA. Rent, EMI, parents, kids everything keeps going. These online programs are built for exactly that reality. Classes are recorded, weekend live sessions, exams from home. My cousin Rhea in Indore runs a handmade candle brand and finished her entire MUJ degree without ever visiting Jaipur. She used to study at 6 AM before packing orders. That freedom is priceless.
Case Studies That Feel Like Your Own Story
Forget reading 20 of Zerodha in some boring textbook. In these classes they break down real Indian startups week by week:
- How Cred built that viral pitch deck
- Mamaearth’s early mistakes (and how they turned it around)
- The exact cash-flow sheet PhonePe used in Year 1
Students literally take screenshots from class slides and use them for their own investor meetings the next weekend.
Actual Funding Doors That Open
This is where my jaw dropped.
JAIN University’s entrepreneurship cell regularly brings angel investors and VC partners for live sessions. One guy from Pune (Karan) raised ₹85 lakh seed because an investor he met in a virtual demo day asked for his deck.
MUJ runs something called Startup Yatra, last year 42 students got direct 1-on-1 calls with Mumbai Angels and LetsVenture founders. These aren’t dreams. These are WhatsApp introductions from professors.
“My first investor was added to a WhatsApp group by my faculty. Six months later he wrote the cheque.” -Neha Sharma, FitBudd co-founder (JAIN Online MBA 2024 batch)
Classes Taken by Founders, Not Just Teachers
You’re not learning from someone who read about startups in a book. You’re learning from people running ₹100-400 crore companies right now.
Guest faculty lists I’ve seen include:
- The guy who scaled boAt from zero
- Ex-growth head of Nykaa
- A fintech founder who just raised Series B
They roast your business plan live on Zoom and sometimes end up becoming your first big customer.
Zero Financial Risk, Salary + Side Hustle
Average salary when students join? ₹7-10 lakh.
Average salary after finishing? ₹15-20 lakh (plus whatever their startup makes).
Because you keep your job, you have two full years of salary as free runway. Arjun built his MVP in month 8, tested it with real paying users, and only resigned when the startup crossed his old salary. Zero loans, zero stress.
Alumni Who Actually Invest in Each Other
The WhatsApp groups of these batches are wild.
One 2023 JAIN graduate raised ₹1.2 crore from 11 fellow alumni. Another girl got her first enterprise client because a senior from 2021 batch made one phone call.
This isn’t LinkedIn networking. This is “bhai, send me the deck, I’ll invest” energy.
Surprisingly Low Fees (With EMI)
Total cost? Roughly ₹2.5-3.5 lakh for the entire degree (yes, full MBA). Many pay from salary in easy monthly EMIs. Compare that to ₹20-30 lakh full-time programs where you also lose two years of income. Suddenly the math looks very, very friendly. check out more at universityguru.
Mini FAQ
- Q: Can I actually launch my startup during the course?
Yes, around 70% of current students already have a running side hustle or full company.
- Q: Is the degree valid everywhere?
100% UGC-recognized, same weight as regular MBA for jobs, PhD, or government exams.
- Q: JAIN or MUJ, which one should I pick?
Both are excellent. JAIN has stronger Bangalore VC connections. MUJ has better incubation support. Compare latest fees & syllabus here
Disclaimer:
The details in this blog, including fees, syllabus, statistics, and career insights are based on publicly available information as of 2025. Universities frequently update their programs, pricing, and policies. Always check the official university website or contact their admissions team for the most current and accurate details. This blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be used to negotiate fees or demand specific pricing from counselours. Prices and offerings may vary.