Student Tribe is a student community platform, dedicated to empowering students from tier two and tier three colleges who often lack access to the same opportunities as their peers in top-tier institutions. With a community of over 650,000 students across 8 cities and a cumulative reach of 2.5 million on social platforms, Student Tribe connects students with brands and companies, providing career and skill-building opportunities.
Many students in tier 2 and tier 3 colleges face limited exposure to internships, networking events, and connections with industry professionals. This lack of access can hinder their career growth and potential, as they miss out on crucial opportunities for professional development.
Student Tribe addresses these challenges through a holistic approach to student empowerment:
1. Intellectual Capital: It connects students with industry leaders, enabling access to mentorship, networking, and upskilling opportunities to prepare them for the workforce.
2. Financial Capital: Through internship and job placements, it helps students earn money and save on education expenses by offering group deals on courses.
3. Social Capital: It has developed unique intellectual properties (IPs) such as Tribe Meets, Tribe Fest, Undergrad Summit, ST. GOT, and Prost. These events bring students together, foster connections, and build a sense of community that enhances their social network and professional opportunities.
Its platform serves as an omnichannel network that not only aids students but also enables brands to engage in effective outreach and hiring.
By focussing on students in tier two and three cities, it helps brands access a previously underserved demographic, creating mutually beneficial connections that foster growth, learning, and career success.
It said that its reach across India positions it as a partner for brands who are looking to build strong, impactful relationships with young, aspiring professionals.
Medianews4u.com caught up with Sri Charan Lakkaraju, Founder and CEO Student Tribe.
Q. How has Student Tribe grown since its launch?
Student Tribe started its journey post-COVID, evolving from what was initially known as StuMagz, which had already been around for close to nine years. When we pivoted to Student Tribe, our goal was to create a truly student-centric community that would make every student feel like they belonged. We started small with our very first with just two people on a Saturday. But every weekend, our community kept growing, four people the next weekend, 16 the week after that, and by the 10th week, we had an event with 2000 attendees at T-Hub Hyderabad..
Today, I’m proud to say that we have built a community of 6.5 lakh students across India. We’re on our way to building the country’s largest student community.
Q. What trends are you seeing in how companies are leveraging student communities for strategic growth?
Students are now seen as key influencers in every household. While they may not always hold the purchasing power directly, they are crucial decision-makers, whether it is deciding which product to buy or which brand to trust. We see that companies are beginning to understand this, and as a result, they’re looking to tap into this market early.
Community-led growth is becoming the go-to strategy for many brands, and what better way to achieve that than engaging with the most energetic and trendsetting generation—students. By working with student communities, brands can create authentic engagement, build long-term relationships, and stay relevant.
Q. Is this growing trend gaining importance in Tier two and Tier three cities and towns?
Absolutely. Tier two and three cities and colleges often lack access to the same resources, jobs, and networking opportunities found in metros. However, there’s a lot of untapped potential, and the loyalty and talent we’ve seen from students in these areas are incredible. There’s also a significant amount of ‘lost talent’, students with immense potential who just haven’t had the exposure they need.
It raises the question: Why do companies restrict their campus drives to places like IIMs and IITs? There is a massive opportunity to reach students in these underserved regions and offer them a platform to grow.
Q. Could you shed light on Student Tribe’s recent work with brands?
Student Tribe is essentially becoming an omni-channel distribution network for brands to reach youth. We’re constantly innovating in how we distribute content and engage students. One of our flagship models is ‘community as a service,’ where we offer brands access to our vast student community through tailored campaigns.
A recent example would be our work with Duolingo English Test, where we ran a comprehensive online and offline campaign for their Hyderabad event. We used social media, influencer marketing, and campus ambassadors to drive footfall, creating a highly engaging and effective event for them.
Q. Are Gen Z’s expectations from brands very different from Millennials’?
Yes, there’s definitely a difference. Gen Z is all about authenticity and connection. While Millennials were often impressed by aspirational brand narratives, Gen Z expects transparency and values alignment. They’re less interested in what a brand promises and more focussed on how it aligns with their values— sustainability, social justice, or mental health.
Moreover, Gen Z is also highly selective about the brands they follow. They engage with brands that speak their language, embrace their culture, and are active in spaces that matter to them. Brands that don’t get this right find it harder to build lasting relationships with this generation.
Q. What are the main brand categories interacting with Gen Z through Student Tribe?
Right now, the top categories that engage with our community are fintech, edtech, study abroad programs, cafes, new-age schools, apparel brands, and other youth-centric companies. These brands understand that Gen Z is shaping the future, and they’re eager to tap into this audience to create lasting connections.
Q. How does Student Tribe’s network of 200+ influencers help brands connect with students?
Our network of micro and nano influencers network consists of students with strong social media followings, ranging from 1K to 100K followers. These influencers are embedded with us from different colleges, and these students serve as authentic voices for both Student Tribe and the brands we work with.
They help us reach deeper into the student ecosystem, ensuring that brands connect with students as genuinely and organically as possible. It’s one thing for a brand to advertise, but when a fellow student endorses it, the impact is far more powerful.
Q. What brand activities will be happening during the festive season through Student Tribe?
We’ve got some exciting plans for the festive season! We’re rolling out content-driven coupon campaigns, both online and offline, during events like Tribe Meet. These campaigns will offer students great deals while helping brands engage with them at a deeper level. We’re also working on exciting offline events to bring brands and students together. 9. How important is brand sampling for companies using Student Tribe?
Brand sampling is a key strategy for companies to understand how well their products resonate with students. We approach this in two ways: First, by allowing students themselves to sample the products and give feedback. Second, by hiring students as gig workers to conduct sampling across different target groups. Both methods provide valuable insights for brands looking to refine their product offerings.
Q. What role is AI playing for Student Tribe?
We’re currently working on innovative ways to integrate AI into our platform to enhance the student experience. From personalised content recommendations to optimizing engagement, AI will allow us to offer students additional benefits that make their experience more seamless and valuable
