Leaders

IIT Bombay, one of India’s most prestigious institutions, has long been a cradle for leadership and innovation. Its rigorous academic environment, combined with a diverse and vibrant community of talented individuals, nurtures future leaders who go on to make significant contributions across industries globally. Among the many notable alumni who have emerged from this iconic institution is Jyothi Kasinath, Senior Vice President (Business Operations & Partnerships) at Digii, whose career trajectory is a powerful example of IIT Bombay’s impact on shaping visionary leaders.

Reflecting on her time at IIT Bombay, Jyothi credits the institution with providing a strong foundation that continues to shape her life and career. She recalls the vibrant and motivating environment, where she was surrounded by exceptional individuals from diverse backgrounds, each driven by their own aspirations. It was here that Jyothi learned the profound importance of authenticity and self-awareness. In a space filled with brilliant minds, she realized that academic success alone doesn’t guarantee leadership success. Instead, she found that staying true to oneself, understanding what truly matters, and relentlessly pursuing continuous learning were the key elements for thriving.

Jyothi's natural inclination toward numbers and strong analytical skills led her to build expertise in strategy, finance, and operations across various sectors. Initially, her focus was on honing her functional expertise, without actively considering specific industries. Over time, however, she began to think more critically about where her skills could make the most meaningful impact. This introspection guided her transition into the startup and entrepreneurial world, where she saw the opportunity to solve real-world problems and create lasting change.

Her first venture into the healthcare sector, aimed at supporting new mothers in navigating parenthood, taught her valuable lessons about market dynamics and the importance of scalability. But it was her passion for building impactful businesses from the ground up that ultimately led her to EdTech. Jyothi’s experience at BYJU’S allowed her to combine her operational expertise with a deeper sense of purpose, as she embraced the chance to run a business that could truly make a difference in people’s lives. This blend of analytical skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and purpose-driven impact defines her leadership today and reflects the transformative influence of IIT Bombay on her journey.

Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine engaged in a one-on-one interaction with Jyothi. Let’s hear from her.

Can you share some of the key moments in your professional journey that have had a major impact on shaping your career?

Three pivotal moments have significantly shaped my career. My initial exposure to the corporate world provided me with valuable insights into maintaining steady operations, implementing checks and balances, and executing effective communication strategies. Transitioning into entrepreneurship, particularly in the women’s healthcare sector, expanded my perspective by requiring me to oversee the entire business, from planning to execution, enhancing my ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on management. Finally, scaling BYJU’s online tuition business was a transformative experience, where I helped grow it from a proof-of-concept to a $50 million venture, using a Build-Operate- Transfer leadership model to ensure sustainable growth. These experiences helped me look at businesses from a bird's-eye view as well as a worm's-eye view, which is very essential for any manager or leader to be able to shift between the two when needed, to be able to zoom in and zoom out.

What prompted your transition from finance and healthcare startups to the edtech sector? What was your vision behind driving the K-10 online after-school tuition business at BYJU'S?

BYJU'S vision was clear. With a shortage of good teachers in India, content and technology were the keys to making quality education accessible to all. While the company offered strong asynchronous products for self-paced learning, customers demanded real-time interactions. We experimented with different models for the K-10 after-school tuition business, finding the most viable approach in 1-small group sessions (1:20). When COVID hit, it accelerated growth beyond expectations, propelling the business from thousands to millions of students. This rapid expansion validated the need for such a service, and the business quickly grew into a $50 million venture within BYJU’S.

As the SVP of Business Operations and Partnerships at Digii, what are the key responsibilities you handle? How do you manage to balance strategic growth, partnerships, and operational excellence in the digital education sector?

At Digii, I focus on building strategic partnerships to expand our market reach and enhance our offerings, strengthening our value proposition and increasing engagement within the higher education sector. I also prioritize customer success and retention by establishing a robust framework to drive satisfaction and long-term loyalty. Additionally, I am committed to ensuring operational excellence by optimizing processes to meet key business KPIs and sustain profitability. As Digii grows, I plan to groom existing employees, attract talent, and cultivate a strong team culture to boost productivity and success.

How do you see the edtech and digital learning landscape evolving? What consumer and market trends do you believe will drive industry growth in the coming years, and how is Digii positioning itself to align with these trends?

Having worked in both B2B and B2C segments within the education sector, one clear trend is emerging, that blended or hybrid learning is the future. Technology-driven solutions will be key in helping traditional institutions improve education quality, enhance stakeholder experiences, and provide personalized learning at scale. Despite the growth of EdTech companies offering innovative content, a large part of education is still delivered through schools, colleges, and universities. For greater impact, these institutions must adopt technology and drive digital transformation to achieve better learning outcomes and a more efficient education system.

Jyothi Kasinath, Senior Vice President (Business Operations & Partnerships), Digii

With a strong background in strategy, finance, and operations, Jyothi Kasinath serves as the Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Partnerships at Digii. She has successfully transitioned from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, playing a pivotal role in scaling EdTech initiatives.