Anuraag Jhunjhunwala never saw education as just a system it was a force, a catalyst, an agent of transformation. Growing up, he understood that schools weren’t merely brick-and-mortar structures; they were the foundations upon which futures were built. But there was a glaring gap. While the demand for quality education in India surged, the infrastructure supporting it was crumbling under the weight of outdated facilities and financial constraints. Instead of seeing this as a challenge, Anuraag saw an opportunity.
In 2016, he founded Cappella not just as another real estate venture but as a mission to revolutionize education infrastructure. He envisioned a world where schools could focus on pedagogy, while Cappella seamlessly provided the modern infrastructure they needed to thrive. He introduced an asset-light model, a disruptive idea in a traditionally rigid sector. The road wasn’t easy. An unstructured market, scepticism from school operators, and the daunting task of changing mindsets stood in his way. But Anuraag, driven by the belief that education is the most powerful long-term investment, pressed forward.
Between 2016 and 2018, Cappella quietly laid the groundwork, partnering with K-12 school operators, ensuring that sustainable, smart infrastructure became the backbone of quality education. By 2019, the impact was undeniable. Schools transformed, students thrived, and the market took notice. But for Anuraag, success was never measured in financial gains alone it was about creating spaces that inspired learning, and gave students the tools to dream bigger, reach further, and become more.
Under his leadership, Cappella didn’t just grow; it soared. Today, it spans over 2 million sq. ft., impacting over 20,000 students, with a total asset under management (AUM) of $200+ million. And this is just the beginning. With a clear roadmap to a billion-dollar portfolio, Cappella has already attracted $400+ million in foreign institutional capital into India. But Anuraag doesn’t operate alone. He leads a powerhouse team of 30+ professionals with a collective industry experience of over 100 years in private equity investments and real estate developments. He firmly believes leadership isn’t about having all the answers it’s about creating the conditions where the team thrives, innovates, and redefines the possible.
Challenges, however, never fade. Establishing credibility in a sector resistant to change, aligning financial solutions with operational realities, and shifting perceptions of infrastructure from being a cost to an enabler of growth were all uphill battles. But Anuraag, armed with resilience and an unwavering vision, turned each roadblock into a stepping stone. Persistent dialogue, a proven track record, and a relentless pursuit of excellence transformed scepticism into belief.
Beyond numbers and milestones, Anuraag’s vision stretches far. He doesn’t just want to build schools—he wants to create limitless educational infrastructure, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to world-class learning spaces. His commitment to ESG principles stands as a testament to his belief in sustainability. From integrating green building designs, solar panels, and water harvesting systems to pioneering EV school buses and achieving India’s first WELL certifications for schools, Anuraag is redefining what it means to build for the future. His mission? Net-zero campuses that prioritize safety, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
His work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Anuraag was recently honoured with the prestigious 40 Under 40 award in the Edu Infra category by Business Mint a recognition that cements his role as a trailblazer in the education sector.
“When we build schools at Cappella,” he says, “we don’t just build for today. We build for generations to come.” And with his vision, drive, and unwavering commitment, the future of education infrastructure in India looks brighter than ever.
