What factors prompted Collective Artists Network to built Under 25?
Under 25 brings a powerful student-focused layer to Collective Artists Network’s larger vision. While Collective has long nurtured talent across entertainment, content, and creator management, Under 25 taps into a vibrant and often overlooked segment, India’s student community.
Collective gained direct access to a thriving student community built through the Under 25 App, Summits at Campus, student programs, and extensive media networks. With both entities believing in creativity, culture, and community.
The move wasn’t just strategic; it was cultural. It was about amplifying youth expression, and equipping students with tools, mentorship, and visibility from the ground up. With Collective’s ecosystem behind it, Under 25 is now better positioned to scale student opportunities and bridge the gap between college, talent, creators and the larger content economy, without ever losing sight of its student-first ethos.
The aim of Under 25 is to create opportunities and build a movement that empowers young minds. What does this entail?
At its core, Under 25 exists to help young people earn, learn, and grow, personally, professionally, and financially. The goal is to build a platform that feels like it was made with students, not just for them.
Through the Under 25 app, students get access to creative challenges, brand gigs, and paid tasks that offer real-world exposure while they’re still in college. On-ground initiatives like our flagship Summit at Campus (SAC) bring those opportunities to life in physical spaces, helping students engage directly with industry leaders, creators, and brands they admire.
We blend digital community-building with real-life action, making sure that the impact of a campaign, challenge, or fellowship goes far beyond the screen. We also run student programs like the Under 25 Fellowship and the Student Creator Fellowship, helping young people develop leadership and creative skills while building their personal brands. Our network spans over 1,500 colleges, and our media ecosystem, powered by 200+ student-run Instagram pages, amplifies these stories, making student voices part of the cultural conversation.
What we’re really building is a movement: one where students feel seen, supported, celebrated, and set up for long-term success.
The country needs experts in areas like animation, gaming, and AI. What is Under 25’s strategy to fulfill this need?
We recognise that the market is rapidly evolving, and that today’s students need more than just traditional classroom learning to keep up. At Under 25, our focus is on holistic student development rather than just sticking to the traditional curriculum. We aim to help young people build skills that align with emerging industries like animation, gaming, and AI.
Our community-driven ecosystem connects students directly with industry experts, enabling knowledge-sharing from professionals actively working with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Through collaborations and internships with brands, students gain hands-on experience in their fields, building the kind of practical skills that support a smooth transition from learning to earning.
Beyond technical skills, our student programs also equip them with real-world capabilities like leading teams, building communities, creating content, and getting early exposure to brand projects. These experiences help them grow not just as professionals, but as creators, collaborators, and essentially, leaders.
We also use gamified experiences to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, making learning feel accessible, relevant, and engaging. Ultimately, Under 25 helps Gen Z stay ahead of career trends by giving them the exposure and experience they need to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.
What goals has Under 25 set for the remaining year?
For the rest of the year, our focus is on scaling both reach and impact. We’re taking our flagship Under 25 Summit at Campus to over 250 colleges across India, while also launching 10+ national student programs aimed at professional growth and skill development.
On the digital front, we’re working toward reaching 1.5 million+ users on the Under 25 app and crossing 300 million views across our Instagram network which continues to be one of the most dynamic youth-led ecosystems in the country. It’s all part of our mission to create consistent, meaningful opportunities for students, wherever they are.
What are the synergies that exist between Under 25 and the other divisions of Collective Artists Network?
Under 25 aligns naturally with the larger vision of Collective Artists Network. Collective has a long-standing track record of discovering and nurturing talent across India’s pop culture ecosystem, including entertainment, digital content, and creator management.
Under 25 brings a powerful student-focused layer to this ecosystem. By focusing on young creators and student communities, we tap into a vibrant and often overlooked segment of the creator economy. With Collective’s support, we are able to connect students with mentorship, content infrastructure, and brand partnerships much earlier in their journeys.
Together, we are building a seamless pathway for students to grow into impactful creators, using the strength of Collective’s resources to unlock opportunities from the ground up.
What marketing activities will Under 25 be doing to create awareness among students?
Our marketing strategy is deeply rooted in community and culture. Under 25 owns and operates a network of over 200 Instagram pages, many of which are run by students themselves. These hyperlocal and hyper-relevant pages allow us to speak in the voice of Gen Z, reflecting what matters most to them.
In addition to our digital presence, we host Summits at Campus across the country, which are high-energy, on-ground events that bring the mission to life for thousands of students. These Summits are supported by micro-events hosted in individual colleges and directly on the Under 25 app, turning brand engagement into a daily experience.
Every platform we use, whether digital or physical, is designed to create authentic touchpoints with students. Instead of pushing messages out, we build environments where students naturally engage, co-create, and share. That’s what makes our awareness efforts not just effective, but truly student-focused.
What are the other IPs being created?
We’re currently developing a slate of Gen Z-first IPs across both YouTube and Instagram. These include original video formats designed specifically for student audiences, as well as new Instagram-native properties that reflect the voice, humour, and daily life of young India.
Could you talk about the strategy to forge partnerships with colleges, universities and corporates?
Our partnership strategy is built around student power. We connect with colleges through the youth who participate in our programs. These students become the bridge between Under 25 and their institutions, helping us build trust and relevance on campus.
One of the reasons we align well with educational institutions is our commitment to being a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free platform. This creates a safe and positive environment that resonates with colleges while still feeling culturally connected to student life.
When it comes to corporate partnerships, we focus on working with brands whose audiences are aligned with our student community. We look for companies that speak to youth interests, values, and aspirations. This ensures that every collaboration feels natural and brings value to both the brand and the student audience.
What advice would you give to the young professionals who want to build something for their own generation? – Will need to research
Building something meaningful for your own generation has never been more accessible than it is today. With the rise of online learning, community-led programs, and mentorship networks, young professionals and students have a wealth of resources at their fingertips, from formal training to real-world experiences. The real differentiator is no longer access, but effort. It comes down to how committed you are to showing up, learning continuously, and applying what you’ve picked up along the way. The more experiences you seek, whether it’s through internships, passion projects, or collaborations, the sharper your instincts become. And that’s what sets builders apart: the ability to turn those experiences into insight, and insight into action.
How is Under 25 different from Internshala?
Internshala is primarily a job and internship search platform. Under 25 is much broader in scope. It is a full-fledged youth ecosystem that combines content, community, and opportunities for real-time engagement.
Through the Under 25 app, students can participate in challenges and tasks, earn rewards, attend events, build creative portfolios, and engage with brands in meaningful ways. It’s not just about finding work, it’s about discovering passions, developing skills, and gaining visibility within a student-led community.
Where Internshala focuses on job listings, Under 25 focuses on creating real-life experiences that help students grow personally, creatively, and professionally.
Whats on the table for Under 25? Profits or community building?
At Under 25, profit and community building go hand in hand. Profit is not the goal in itself. It is what allows us to keep building a strong, student-led ecosystem in a sustainable way.
We operate on a community-powered model. Students engage with programs, challenges, and brand opportunities. Brands pay to reach this audience. Students are compensated for their participation. This creates a balanced exchange where everyone benefits.
To date, we have enabled over six crore rupees in payouts to students, through the app. These funds have helped students pay exam fees, buy laptops for college, and even surprise their families with gifts. The impact is real, and deeply personal. That kind of sustained support for the student community is only possible through a business model that works.
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Author: Team BTP
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