Skillsvest, a fintech startup focused on education financing, has raised ₹5.5 crore in a pre-seed funding round comprising a mix of equity and debt as it seeks to expand access to international higher education through an alternative model to traditional student loans.

The round was led by Plug and Play Ventures, with participation from angel investor Sascha Mornell. The company also counts UC Berkeley SkyDeck and Launch Accelerator, founded by Jason Calacanis, among its backers. The newly secured capital will be used to scale student financing operations, strengthen regulatory readiness, and expand institutional partnerships.

Founded in 2024 by Sreemaan Thiruppathiraja and Deborah Schermann, Skillsvest is building a financing platform designed to help students pursue international master’s programs without relying on conventional education loans. The startup offers what it describes as a “pay only if you earn” model, allowing students to access funding without collateral or co-signers. Repayments begin only after graduates reach a defined income threshold, aligning financing obligations with future earning potential.

The company primarily serves Indian students seeking postgraduate education in destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Through its financing programs, Skillsvest covers both tuition expenses and living costs, addressing a major challenge faced by students who may not have access to family assets or traditional loan guarantees. The founders argue that talented students are often prevented from pursuing international education because of collateral requirements imposed by lenders, creating barriers for many middle-income households.

The latest funding represents a significant milestone for the young company as investor interest grows around alternative financing models tied to educational and career outcomes. Unlike conventional student lending, which requires repayment regardless of employment outcomes, Skillsvest structures financing around future earnings, seeking to align incentives between students and capital providers. The startup views students as an investable asset class and aims to create a financing ecosystem that reduces financial risk for borrowers.

Since launching, Skillsvest says it has facilitated more than ₹1.2 crore in financing and built a pipeline of over 3,000 interested students. The company has also established a broad distribution network through partnerships with more than 4,500 education counselors across India. These relationships help connect prospective students with financing opportunities and provide the startup with access to a large pool of applicants seeking overseas education.

The company plans to deploy the newly raised capital toward expanding its financing capacity and strengthening its operational infrastructure. Regulatory readiness remains a key focus area as education-financing platforms face increasing scrutiny around compliance, consumer protection, and financial transparency. Skillsvest also intends to deepen partnerships with educational institutions, career-support organizations, and other stakeholders involved in student success.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, the startup aims to support between 50 and 100 students while continuing to develop a broader ecosystem around career outcomes. In addition to financing, Skillsvest is working to build stronger links with recruiters, mentors, and professional networks that can improve employment prospects for graduates after completing their studies abroad. The founders believe that educational financing should extend beyond capital provision and include support mechanisms that improve long-term career success.

The funding comes at a time when demand for overseas education remains strong among Indian students, even as rising tuition costs and tighter lending standards make financing increasingly difficult. By offering an income-linked repayment structure, Skillsvest is attempting to create a more accessible pathway for students who might otherwise be unable to pursue advanced degrees overseas.

With backing from Plug and Play Ventures, Sascha Mornell, UC Berkeley SkyDeck, and Launch Accelerator, Skillsvest is positioning itself to expand its presence in the education-finance market while advancing a model that links student financing directly to future earning outcomes. As the company scales, it aims to provide a viable alternative to traditional student debt and broaden access to international higher education for aspiring students across India.

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