Public speaking, leadership, and confidence-building are essential life skills often overlooked in traditional education.
Ask any student what school taught them, and they’ll list subjects like math, history, or science. But ask them about communication and leadership, and most will say, “I wish I had learned that.”
In India, soft skills training is often reserved for privileged schools, leaving millions of students without the tools they need to thrive.
That’s exactly what Shivansh Ahuja, Founder & CEO of City One Initiative, set out to change.
His mission?
He wants to democratize access to 21st-century skills
To empower every student, not just those in elite institutions
Making education more engaging, skill-driven, and future-ready
And he’s doing it without external funding, without corporate backing, just pure conviction and hustle.
The Brain Behind City One Initiative
👨🎓 Who is Shivansh Ahuja?
A Computer Science Engineering graduate with a postgraduate degree in Management from Nottingham University Business School, Shivansh has worked with CRY India, AIESEC, and Exambazaar across various leadership roles.
🏆 National Youth Day Award (2025) → Presented by Mr. Jual Oram, Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India at the Constitution Club of India.
🏆 “Your Nottingham Alumni Award” → Honored at British Council Delhi by Dr. David Park, Dean of Nottingham University Business School, UK.
But despite his achievements and corporate experience, Shivansh always felt something was missing in education, a structured way to teach students real-world skills.
How City One Initiative Was Born?
In school, he was frequently asked to deliver morning messages, but lacked public speaking training.
During college, he saw firsthand how privileged schools had strong leadership programs, while underserved schools struggled.
Then, through Teach for India fellowship, he witnessed deep educational inequities, students lacking confidence, English fluency, and career opportunities simply due to socio-economic barriers.
It became clear that education in India wasn’t just about access, it was about engagement, quality, and upskilling. So, instead of waiting for change, Shivansh decided to create it.
From Passion Project to Full-Time Startup
📌 2016 → City One Initiative started as a side project, running just 2–3 events per year.
📌 2021 → Shivansh quit his job and committed to City One full-time.
📌 June 2021 → Became a structured organization, launching full-scale operations.
But turning a passion into a business wasn’t easy.
The Hardest Year: Overcoming Early Struggles
In the initial six months, City One Initiative faced an uphill battle with over 300 cold calls to schools, many of which were skeptical about the costs involved. Despite persistent outreach, conversion rates remained disappointingly low, as institutions struggled to see the tangible value of soft skills training.
Adding to the challenge was the remote nature of operations, which made it difficult to establish trust without face-to-face interactions, further complicating efforts to secure partnerships.
However, resilience and strategic adaptations eventually helped overcome these hurdles, allowing the initiative to gain traction and build meaningful relationships with educational institutions.
The Turning Point: Going Offline in 2022
The venture shifted to in-person events that helped in building stronger school relationships.
Refined pricing & pitch strategy → Focused on high-value, scalable programs.
Leveraged success stories → Used social proof to gain trust and credibility.
And the strategy paid off.
“Transitioning from a stable job to making every decision independently was daunting. Meetings got canceled, leads dried up, and momentum was hard to maintain. At times, it felt impossible.”
Scaling Impact: What City One Initiative Does Today
- Model United Nations (MUNs) → Teaching critical thinking, diplomacy, and public speaking.
- Bal Panchayats → Empowering students to engage with governance and leadership.
- Soft Skills Training → Focused on communication, confidence, and career readiness.
Their goal?
To impact 10 lakh students by 2030, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive.
Bootstrapped & Growing: Scaling Without External Funding
Unlike many startups that chase VC money, City One Initiative is fully bootstrapped.
Early struggles with revenue resulted in limited margins, causing reliance on school partnerships. Pivot to offline engagements doubled the revenue, creating consistent income streams. Furthermore, strategic reinvestment leads to profits which funneled into growth, but not quick expansion.
Shivansh’s approach to prioritize relationships, trust, and real outcomes over chasing funding worked in the long run.
The Secret to City One’s Success? People
City One Initiative’s success was built on the foundation of passionate individuals rather than financial backing. Many of its core team members were once students who attended workshops and, inspired by the mission, joined as interns to contribute to its growth.
The initiative flourished through a strong community-driven approach, with schools, mentors, and volunteers playing a key role in organically spreading its vision. Shivansh also credits his unwavering support system, his parents, siblings, and alma mater, JECRC University, which believed in his mission and helped him navigate the challenges of scaling an educational movement.
In the end, City One’s greatest strength isn’t capital, it’s the people who believe in the purpose and work tirelessly to make it a reality.
What’s Next for City One Initiative?
🗺️Expanding nationwide → Building more partnerships with schools, NGOs, and government programs.
🧑🏼💻Developing scalable learning solutions → Creating tech-based tools for skill development.
🌆Empowering underserved students → Bringing structured upskilling programs to Tier II & III cities.
City One Initiative isn’t just running workshops, it’s creating a future where soft skills are a fundamental part of education.
Final Thoughts
In a world where degrees don’t guarantee success, soft skills are the true game-changer
- Communication matters
- Confidence matters
- Leadership matters
City One Initiative is changing education from the ground up. Its mission is to impact 10 lakh students, and it has embarked on a bootstrapped journey with an unwavering commitment to empowerment.
And if Shivansh’s relentless drive is any indication, this is just the beginning. 🚀🎓
Follow their journey: City One Initiative
