Apna, a digital hiring firm, has become a unicorn in just 21 months after its founding and 15 months since it began full-scale operations. After a new funding round headed by Tiger Global Management, the firm established by ex-Apple executive Nirmit Parikh has reached a valuation of $1.1 billion. Apart from Tiger, Owl Ventures LLC, Insight Partners Inc, and Sequoia Capital India participated in the app’s most recent round of funding, which raised $100 million.
They are solving for the world, according to Parikh, a Stanford graduate. “Apna has a deep social purpose and is committed to discovering and creating opportunities to enhance a billion livelihoods across geographies. With the continued support of our partners, we aim to accelerate our journey of ‘solving for the world,'” he said.
According to Parikh, the firm is aiming for the world’s 2.3 billion emerging workers. It now has over 16 million users and 150,000 employers on board. According to the firm, it conducts 18 million job interviews every month on average. In less than two years, the app facilitated almost 100 million interviews.
Last month, the firm advertised 5 million employment opportunities. According to the report, there has been a rise in job searchers in software engineering, graphic design, and legal work sectors.
Apna is available in 11 Indian languages and 28 cities at the moment. It will cover all Indian cities before the end of the year. In early 2022, it will extend to the United States, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Apna’s services are used by several firms, including Zomato, Bharti AXA, Urban Company, BYJU’S, PhonePe, Burger King, Delhivery, Teamlease, and G4S Global.
Apna has also worked with organisations such as the National Skill Development Corporation, UNICEF Yuwaah, and India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs to give applicants employment training and possibilities.
Over 70 groups of skilled professionals such as carpenters, painters, telemarketers, field sales agents, delivery workers, and others are available on the app, allowing them to expand their professional networks, upskill through peer learning, and discover gig possibilities.
