Amritsar, NFAPost: Recruitment startup Apna.co has raised $8 million in Series A funding from existing investors Sequoia Capital India, and Lightspeed India.
This funding round also saw participation from new investors Rocketship.vc, and Greenoaks Capital.
Apna.co, launched in 2019 by Nirmit Parikh, comprises vertical communities for skilled professionals such as painters, field sales agents, and carpenters, among others, providing them with access to local job opportunities and networking with peers along with the ability to gain new skills.
The startup that claims to have more than 1.2 million users on its platform had earlier raised around $2 million from Lightspeed India Sequoia Capital India.
“There are over 250 million blue and grey collar workers in India at present and providing meaningful employment opportunities to this segment is one of the biggest challenges in our country,” said Harshjit Sethi, Principal at Sequoia Capital India.
“With internet usage in this demographic growing rapidly, further catalysed by the Jio effect, apps such as Apna can play a meaningful role in democratising access to employment and skilling,” Sethi added.
Apna.co currently has presence in five cities, and claims to have facilitated more than 1 million job interviews in the past one month, registering a three-fold jump on a monthly basis.
The startup plans to use the funds raised to expand to more blue and grey collar verticals, into new cities, and strengthen its leadership team.
