Jitendra Karsan: Revolutionizing Early Education With Unwavering Passion
Jitendra Karsan
Chairperson
Karsan started his entrepreneurship journey at the age of 21 with Computer Canvas. His company was instrumental in developing new media-based solutions for multinationals and top Indian corporations.
In 2005, he joined Inter Publicity as a COO, where he demonstrated excellence not only in managing company operations but also in spearheading the successful launch of online media and film verticals. Eight years later, he ventured into the field of education through Safari Kid Global preschool and Daycare, as a personal commitment towards making a change in education. Under his visionary leadership, Safari Kid rapidly rose to become the preschool of choice for India's elite. In 2022, Karsan launched Cupertino Eduserv with the vision of creating a vast consortium of over 5,000 preschools by 2030 and educating a million children.
Today, we are honored to commemorate his extraordinary
journey and explore the personal inspiration behind his mission to transform early education.
What Is The Motivation That Fuels Your Daily Routines?
'In the education sector, purpose is the ultimate motivation, transforming challenges into opportunities.' In a sector like ours, external motivation is not a necessity. Our purpose is our driving force. It propels us to confront and resolve the challenges of early education in a country as diverse as India. If that isn't enough motivation for you, you might be in the wrong field. Despite its demands, the education sector is profoundly fulfilling. We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to make a genuine impact. It's not just a job it's a calling and we have embraced the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of education in India.
How would you define Safari Kid and Cupertino Eduserv?
Safari Kid is a pioneer in the field of upscale preschool education that was started in Silicon Valley in 2005. It has now evolved into a global network of 50+ branches of preschools and daycare centers across the USA, Canada, and India. Our objective is to become India's leading provider of high-quality preschool education, serving discerning parents from the upper-middle class and the business communities. Strategically located in high end residential areas and IT parks, our centers offer a meticulously crafted curriculum tailored to meet the distinctive needs of our target audience. Currently, we operate 11 centers in prominent locations in Mumbai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. We are growing ambitiously, with a vision to establish 20 schools by the upcoming academic year and continue to add 10 more each subsequent year.
Our commitment to quality education extends to our unique brand, Cupertino Eduserv. Cupertino primarily functions as an educational services company, working in partnership with mass-market, affordable preschools to
What Is The Motivation That Fuels Your Daily Routines?
'In the education sector, purpose is the ultimate motivation, transforming challenges into opportunities.' In a sector like ours, external motivation is not a necessity. Our purpose is our driving force. It propels us to confront and resolve the challenges of early education in a country as diverse as India. If that isn't enough motivation for you, you might be in the wrong field. Despite its demands, the education sector is profoundly fulfilling. We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to make a genuine impact. It's not just a job it's a calling and we have embraced the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of education in India.
Our commitment is to change the world one child at a time, offering high quality early education to those who value & understand its importance
How would you define Safari Kid and Cupertino Eduserv?
Safari Kid is a pioneer in the field of upscale preschool education that was started in Silicon Valley in 2005. It has now evolved into a global network of 50+ branches of preschools and daycare centers across the USA, Canada, and India. Our objective is to become India's leading provider of high-quality preschool education, serving discerning parents from the upper-middle class and the business communities. Strategically located in high end residential areas and IT parks, our centers offer a meticulously crafted curriculum tailored to meet the distinctive needs of our target audience. Currently, we operate 11 centers in prominent locations in Mumbai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. We are growing ambitiously, with a vision to establish 20 schools by the upcoming academic year and continue to add 10 more each subsequent year.
Our commitment to quality education extends to our unique brand, Cupertino Eduserv. Cupertino primarily functions as an educational services company, working in partnership with mass-market, affordable preschools to
elevate the quality of their services while optimizing operational expenses. Our collaborative efforts with these brands collectively drive improvements in early education on a broader scale.
Could you tell us about your experience at JBIMS?
My experience at JBIMS was enriching on both academic and personal levels. JBIMS goes beyond delivering academic excellence it creates an environment conducive to cultivating lifelong friendships and building a solid network. The connections formed during my time there still thrive, providing invaluable community support essential for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
Tell us about your leadership approach.
'Great brands are the product of not just visionary leadership, but also of enthusiastic and happy employees.' At the heart of my leadership philosophy lies empathy and compassion. Building a great brand extends far beyond financial statements and profitability; it is the people who make a brand. And people for me include employees, customers, and all stakeholders. I prioritize empathy and happiness for everyone because it naturally translates to better business. Also, I maintain a consistent approach with everyone as I find it unsustainable to adopt varying personas to deal with different stakeholders.
What is the future destination you are headed towards?
My personal and professional goals are intricately connected. On a personal level, my ambition is to make a positive and quantifiable difference in the education sector. At the organizational level, we aim to extend our influence to a broader audience, uniting brands serving the mass market, middle-class, and upper-middle-class segments. Our long-term goal is to deliver high quality education and childcare to at least one million children by the end of 2030.
Jitendra Karsan, Chairman - Safari Kid India Founder, Cupertino Eduserv
Outside of his professional pursuits, he finds joy in strumming the guitar and immersing himself in the world of books. He holds high regard for Illusions by Richard Bach, The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, and The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. He also enjoys solo motorbike rides if he's not on a road trip with his family.
Could you tell us about your experience at JBIMS?
My experience at JBIMS was enriching on both academic and personal levels. JBIMS goes beyond delivering academic excellence it creates an environment conducive to cultivating lifelong friendships and building a solid network. The connections formed during my time there still thrive, providing invaluable community support essential for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
Tell us about your leadership approach.
'Great brands are the product of not just visionary leadership, but also of enthusiastic and happy employees.' At the heart of my leadership philosophy lies empathy and compassion. Building a great brand extends far beyond financial statements and profitability; it is the people who make a brand. And people for me include employees, customers, and all stakeholders. I prioritize empathy and happiness for everyone because it naturally translates to better business. Also, I maintain a consistent approach with everyone as I find it unsustainable to adopt varying personas to deal with different stakeholders.
What is the future destination you are headed towards?
My personal and professional goals are intricately connected. On a personal level, my ambition is to make a positive and quantifiable difference in the education sector. At the organizational level, we aim to extend our influence to a broader audience, uniting brands serving the mass market, middle-class, and upper-middle-class segments. Our long-term goal is to deliver high quality education and childcare to at least one million children by the end of 2030.
Jitendra Karsan, Chairman - Safari Kid India Founder, Cupertino Eduserv
Outside of his professional pursuits, he finds joy in strumming the guitar and immersing himself in the world of books. He holds high regard for Illusions by Richard Bach, The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, and The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. He also enjoys solo motorbike rides if he's not on a road trip with his family.