Mumbai: upGrad, an integrated skilling and lifelong learning major, has announced the appointment of Deepesh Dhakad as its Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO), effective October 2025.
In his new role, Dhakad will oversee upGrad’s end-to-end product, design, and technology ecosystem across both learner and enterprise verticals, driving innovation, scalability, and a world-class global user experience.
A seasoned product and technology leader, Deepesh brings nearly two decades of experience across leading consumer technology brands, including Amazon, Flipkart, Unacademy, and Games24x7. Over the years, he has built and scaled digital ecosystems for millions of global users, led large cross-functional teams across product, design, engineering, and analytics, and driven measurable growth through data-led experimentation and AI-powered product innovation.
Commenting on his appointment, Deepesh Dhakad said, “upGrad stands at a pivotal moment where technology is not just an enabler but the engine powering our next phase of growth. As learning becomes increasingly borderless and outcome-driven, our focus will be on designing intelligent, AI-native systems that personalise learner journeys and deliver measurable results for both individuals and enterprises. For me, this is also about empowering our internal teams, across product, design, and engineering to innovate boldly, collaborate deeply, and build world-class experiences at scale. The opportunity to shape how professionals learn, grow, and stay employable worldwide is both exciting and transformative.”
Dhakad’s expertise spans growth strategy, scalable consumer platforms, and data-driven design to deliver both engagement and profitability at scale.
Speaking on the appointment, Amit Mehta, CHRO, upGrad, said, “It’s an exciting phase for upGrad. As we expand deeper into global markets, product and technology remain the backbone of how we deliver scale, consistency, and measurable outcomes for learners and enterprises alike. Deepesh’s strong experience in building high-growth, tech-led ecosystems comes at the perfect time as we sharpen our focus on innovation. His leadership will further strengthen our ability to deliver outcome-driven learning at scale, accelerating our global strategy for the next phase of workforce skilling.”
An alumnus of IIIT Allahabad and IIT Bombay’s Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, Deepesh will operate out of upGrad’s Bengaluru office, leading the company’s global product and technology roadmap as it scales its AI-led learning ecosystem across markets.
