Pune Couple Quits Jobs to Help Tier-3 Grads Land IT Jobs with ₹13 LPA

In the bustling metro city of Pune, unfolds a story of determination and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

This story is about 3RI Technologies, an IT professional training institute founded by the dynamic husband-wife duo of Ritesh and Rupali Sharma. Their vision? To empower youth from tier-3 cities and colleges across Bharat with quality IT education, preparing them to meet the evolving demands of the Indian software industry and land jobs with packages of up to ₹13 lakhs per annum.

From Corporate Careers to Coding Classrooms:

The journey of 3RI Technologies began in 2010, but the seeds were sown much earlier. Ritesh and Rupali, both successful professionals in their own right, met during a mid-career training program at the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune - the premier R&D organisation of the Government of India.

It was during these sessions that they realised the stark gap between what Indian academic institutions were teaching and what the software industry truly needed.

This realisation hit them hard. They saw countless talented graduates struggling to find jobs not because of a lack of intelligence but because they lacked industry-ready skills.

As Ritesh Sharma, the Founder & MD of 3RI Technologies, recalls during an interview with Startup Pedia, "We knew we had to do something. The education system wasn’t preparing students for the real world, and we wanted to change that." 

The skills gap problem remains a pressing issue in India, as highlighted by a recent India Today news article citing the Government of India's Economic Survey 2023-2024. Only 51.25% of Indian graduates are deemed employable, underscoring the deep-rooted problems within the country's education system.

Leaving behind their high-paying corporate jobs at Oracle and Siemens, they embarked on a mission. With just ₹1 lakh each, provided by their supportive mothers, they rented a modest row house in Pune and began teaching coding full-time. 

"It wasn’t easy, but we had a dream," Rupali Sharma, the Co-founder & Technical Director of 3RI Technologies shares with Startup Pedia. "We wanted to empower the common youth of Bharat with the skills they needed to thrive in the IT world."

Also Read: Farmer's Son Launches EdTech for Healthcare Pros, Earns ₹2 Cr/Month

The Challenges of a Bootstrapped Beginning:

Starting a business from scratch, especially in the competitive world of IT education, was no small feat. 3RI Technologies was completely bootstrapped from day one, which gave them the flexibility to pivot and adapt as needed. However, the lack of external funding also meant that growth was slow and painstaking.

In those early days, Ritesh and Rupali would spend hours cold-calling companies, hoping to secure placement opportunities for their students. "Getting 150 students placed in that first year felt like a massive achievement," Ritesh recalls with a shy smile. But the hard work paid off. 

Today, 3RI Technologies places over 750 students annually in top MNCs across India and abroad. This achievement is noteworthy considering India's booming software industry, which exports products and services worth a staggering $193 billion annually, growing at a robust 12.2% per year, as The Economic Times report reveals.

But the couple’s mission has always been about more than just numbers. "For us at 3RI Technologies, the future of our students is more important than anything else," Ritesh emphasises to the Startup Pedia journalist.

"We don’t charge companies for recruitment. Whatever money we make comes from the training courses we provide to our students at a very affordable price point. Our mission is to make them employable, not to profit from their success."

Also Read: 43YO Starts EdTech Startup For Doctors, Makes Rs 3 Cr Sales Per Month

Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic:

Just when 3RI Technologies was striking a great stride, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and brought everything to a standstill. For a business that truly thrived on in-person training, this countrywide lockdown proved to be quite a big blow.

"Suddenly, our offline training revenue dropped to zero," Rupali recounts. "We had to shut down two of our training centres in Pune, leaving us with just one."

But rather than give up, the Sharmas adapted. They moved their classes online, and this strategy indeed proved to be the turning point.

"Rupali was the driving force behind our transition to virtual teaching. We had never done it before, but she made it possible," Ritesh proudly shares with Startup Pedia.

The shift not only allowed them to continue serving their students but also opened up new opportunities. "Even students from abroad started joining our classes," Rupali adds with a smile. 

"Now, we teach upskilling courses to students from over 10 countries. It’s a great feeling to make India proud with our little contributions."

3RI Technologies in Detail:

Today, 3RI Technologies is a well-established name in the IT training institutes in India. It also offers a range of courses, from programming languages, such as Java and Python, to the most modern areas like Data Science and Cloud Computing. 

Their courses target three major demographics:

1. Job-Oriented Programmes for Fresh Graduates: These six-month courses equip college graduates with hands-on skills in Data Science, Cloud Computing, Full Stack in Java, and ReactJS, making them industry-ready and employable with confidence.

2. Upskilling Programmes for Working Professionals: These two-month courses provide specialised training in AWS, DevOps, Machine Learning, AI, PowerBI, and RPA, helping professionals gain specific knowledge to advance their careers.

3. Mid-Term Programmes for People with Career Gaps: These three to four-month courses are designed to help individuals re-enter the workforce with essential skills and job readiness.

What sets 3RI truly apart is its commitment to inclusivity. "We don’t set any strict eligibility criteria," Rupali says to Startup Pedia.

"Whether you’re an engineer, an arts graduate, or from a commerce background, our doors are open. Our goal is to teach and train for the demands of today and tomorrow, regardless of a student’s educational & financial background."

"We exist because of the students of Bharat. That’s our core DNA, and that’s what a teacher should always be," Rupali further states.

They also provide up to 50% scholarships to students from economically weaker sections (EWS), a rarity in the Indian startup ecosystem.

An Ambitious Vision for the Future:

As they celebrate their 15th year of operations, the Sharmas have trained and placed over 8,000 students in leading software companies. But they are not done yet.

"We have a team of 30 dynamic people, excluding expert trainers, and we’re looking to expand further. This financial year, our goal is to train and place more than 2,000 students," Ritesh shares.

To achieve this rate of growth, 3RI Technologies is open to investment and collaboration opportunities. They are exploring the possibility of expanding through a franchise model as well. "We want to grow bigger and become more agile, but without compromising our core values," Ritesh explains.

Journey In a Nutshell:

This startup's story is an ode to sticking to your convictions, loving what you do, and wanting to uplift others. Ritesh and Rupali started small. From their days of working in a small rented house-cum-classroom in Pune to becoming a major player in India’s IT training landscape, the couple has come a long way. They have proven that with an honest vision, it is possible to make a lasting impact.

Their mission is far from over, and as they continue to expand and adapt, one thing remains clear - 3RI Technologies is not just an IT training institute in Pune. It’s a ray of hope for thousands of students across Bharat, lighting up their road towards a more skilled future.

Also Read: DU grads' startup empower healthcare professionals, made ₹4 Cr revenue