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As a pioneer in the ever-changing world of professional networking and job platforms, Apna connects professionals with businesses in a smooth manner and opens doors to rewarding career prospects.
Millions of people in India lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic as numerous enterprises shut down and forced workers to return home. In India, there are nearly 500 million blue and gray-collar employees as per news report of 2022, and providing them with meaningful job opportunities is one of our country’s major concerns.
Apna is a leading professional networking and job platform that facilitates seamless connections between professionals and employers, enabling individuals to secure rewarding career opportunities.
Founded in 2019, Apna became a unicorn approximately 21 months after its founding and 15 months after it started full-scale operations. The firm was founded by ex-Apple executive Nirmit Parikh and has been valued at $1.1 billion, becoming a unicorn following a fundraising round led by Tiger Global Management in 2021.
Read the success story of Apna and also learn about its founder, business and revenue model, funding and investors, financials, revenue, growth, and more.
Apna – Company Highlights
| Startup Name | Apna |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Industry | Employment, Human Resources, Recruiting |
| Founder | Nirmit Parikh |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Website | apna.co |
About Apna
Apna – Industry
Apna – Founders and Team
Apna – Startup Story
Apna – Mission and Vision
Apna – Name and Logo
Apna – Business and Revenue Model
Apna – Fundings and Investors
Apna – Shareholding
Apna – Growth and Revenue
Apna – Financials
Apna – Partnerships
Apna – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
Apna – Competitors
Apna – Future Plans
How to Use the Apna App to Find a Job | Apna Jobs
About Apna
Apna is an Indian digital recruiting company that links companies with millions of blue, gray, and entry-level white workers. Job seekers may use the platform to build a profile that includes their talents, education, and experience, search for opportunities, phone the company directly, schedule an interview, and be hired. Apna job portal has grown rapidly, using AI-driven recruitment models to connect job seekers with opportunities.
Employers may use it to advertise job openings, interact with prospects, arrange interviews, and recruit employees. BYJU’S, Swiggy, Paytm, Flipkart, Delhivery, Zomato, Licious, and others are among the company’s notable clientele. The Apna app is also accessible as an Android and iOS app.
The coronavirus pandemic boosted digital recruiting, with a rise in job postings in manufacturing and eCommerce fueled by the country’s recovery from multiple illness waves.
The Apna platform has earned the trust of 5 crore job seekers community, making it India’s sought-after destination for discovering relevant opportunities. With a presence in over 74 cities and ongoing expansion, Apna is meeting the surging job demand as India returns to work.
Apna – Industry
The staffing and recruitment market is projected to grow from US$ 757.56 billion in 2023 to US$ 2,031.34 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 13.1%. The increasing use of automation and AI-driven recruitment models is expected to be a major trend shaping the market.
A strong presence across industries including IT & Telecom, BFSI, Healthcare, Retail & E-commerce, and a variety of staffing kinds and expanding recruitment platforms are some of the causes driving this growth. In addition to being a major player in the financial sector, the staffing and recruitment business is crucial in determining the nature of work globally.
Apna – Founders and Team
Apna was founded by former Apple executive Nirmit Parikh in 2019.
Nirmit Parikh
Apna is the biggest recruiting and vertical professional network for India’s working class, and Nirmit Parikh is the Founder and CEO of Apna. Nirmit was previously a member of Apple’s iPhone product operations team and Director of New Products / Data Analytics at Intel Corporation. Earlier, he established Cruxbot (which was bought by Kno, Intel Corporation).
Nirmit holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from Nirma Institute of Technology.
shifa ali
Apna – Startup Story
Apna’s startup story began with its founder, Parikh, recognizing the challenges faced by his relatives and friends in India when it came to recruiting employees. Despite a large number of people actively seeking employment, there was a significant labor shortage. Parikh identified the lack of a scalable networking infrastructure as the main obstacle to connecting job seekers and employers.
To gain a deeper understanding of the labor market challenges, Parikh immersed himself in the field. He engaged with employees and even took on roles as an electrician and a floor manager, going undercover to experience firsthand the issues they faced. These experiences provided valuable insights and informed the development of Apna.
At the core of Apna’s business is a mission to address the network gaps experienced by workers. Apna has developed an Android app available in multiple languages, offering over 70 categories tailored to specialized professions such as carpenters, painters, and field sales representatives. Through the app, users can interact with each other, sharing leads and career advice. Apna also provides resources for skill development, interview practice, and job enhancement. The company aims to further enhance its offerings by developing skilling courses, result- or job-based training, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities through vertical communities.
With a user-centric approach, data insights, and a continuous feedback loop, Apna has experienced rapid growth, facilitating over 20 million job interviews per month as of 2022. The company’s focus on addressing the needs of both job seekers and employers has positioned it as a significant player in the job market, striving to bridge the gap between talent and opportunities.
Apna – Mission and Vision
Apna works with the strong mission of accelerating India by empowering the rising workforce with better professional opportunities.
Apna – Name and Logo
Apna means “ours” in Hindi. It is a platform that brings job seekers and recruiters together, empowering both sides by connecting them to relevant opportunities and resources in India’s job market.
Apna – Business and Revenue Model
The core of Apna’s business model is to assist employees in both the formal and informal sectors of the Indian economy. The platform has steadily broadened its focus to include white-collar jobs, despite its initial emphasis being largely on blue-collar vocations. Employees can streamline their job hunt with Apna’s free access to professional tools and job prospects.
Companies use a fee-based mechanism on the employer side of Apna to post job openings and gain access to the platform’s wide applicant pool. This two-pronged strategy positions Apna as an essential intermediary between companies and job seekers, expediting the recruitment process and promoting professional and social growth for all stakeholders.
Revenue Model
Apna generates its revenue through various channels within its business model. One of its main sources of income is providing technical support services to the holding company, which in turn offers platform services to recruiters and job seekers. This mutually beneficial arrangement allows Apna to earn income while supporting the smooth functioning of the platform.
In addition, Apna monetizes its operations by offering recruitment solutions through its web platform and mobile application. By providing valuable services to both job seekers and recruiters, Apna creates a platform where employers can connect with potential candidates and individuals can explore job opportunities tailored to their preferences.
The company also diversifies its revenue streams by earning interest on fixed deposits, current investments, and other non-operating income. These additional sources contribute to the overall financial stability and growth of Apna.
Through its unique approach and commitment to facilitating connections, Apna strives to provide value to both employers and job seekers in the ever-evolving job market.
Manav Makhija
Apna – Fundings and Investors
Apna has raised a total of $193.5 million in funding over five rounds as of November 2023.
Here are the funding details for Apna:
| Date | Round | Amount | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2021 | Series C | $100 million | Tiger Global Management |
| Jun 16, 2021 | Series B | $70 million | Insight Partners, Tiger Global Management |
| Mar 2, 2021 | Series A | $12.5 million | Peak XV Partners |
| Sep 1, 2020 | Series A | $8 million | Lightspeed India Partners, Sequoia Capital India, Peak XV Partners |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Seed Round | $3 million | Peak XV Partners |
Apna – Shareholding
| Shareholders Name | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Founder | 41.79% |
| Enterprise | 49.00% |
| Other People | 9.20% |
Apna – Growth and Revenue
Apna, a digital employment platform for blue-collar employees, and gray and entry-level white-collar employees, was valued at $1.1 billion just two years after it was launched. Another intriguing aspect of Apna is that it was in the pre-revenue stage, with no revenue at that time.
Here are some of the growth highlights of Apna:
- It has 5 crore job seekers community
- The company has a presence in 74+ cities
- Apna has 50 lakh+ jobs, as per the website
- It has 501–1,000 employees, as per LinkedIn
Apna – Financials
| Apna financials | FY24 | FY23 | FY22 | FY21 | FY20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating Revenue | INR 127.6 crore | INR 180.3 crore | INR 63.9 crore | INR 16.95 crore | INR 5.22 crore |
| Total Expenses | INR 191 crore | INR 308.4 crore | INR 178.3 crore | INR 45.4 crore | INR 4.92 crore |
| Profit/Loss | INR -51.3 crore | INR -120.3 crore | INR -112.5 crore | INR -28.27 crore | INR -0.3 crore |
Apna’s revenue in FY24 was INR 127.6 crore, down from INR 180.3 crore in FY23. Expenses also dropped to INR 191 crore from INR 308.4 crore. Losses narrowed to INR 51.3 crore in FY24 from INR 120.3 crore in FY23. Over the years, revenue has grown from INR 5.22 crore in FY20 to INR 127.6 crore in FY24, but losses remain due to high expenses.
Apna Revenue Breakdown
| Apna Revenue | FY24 | FY23 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Revenue | INR 127.6 crore | INR 180.3 crore |
| Other | INR 11.3 crore | INR 7.8 crore |
| Total Revenue | INR 138.9 crore | INR 188.1 crore |
Apna’s total revenue in FY24 was INR 138.9 crore, down from INR 188.1 crore in FY23. Operating revenue dropped to INR 127.6 crore from INR 180.3 crore, while other revenue increased to INR 11.3 crore from INR 7.8 crore.
Apna Expenses Breakdown
| Apna Expenses | FY24 | FY23 |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Benefits | INR 123 crore | INR 204.1 crore |
| Ads & Promotions | INR 37.3 crore | INR 62.1 crore |
| Other | INR 30.7 crore | INR 42.2 crore |
| Total | INR 191 crore | INR 308.4 crore |
Apna’s total expenses in FY24 were INR 191 crore, down from INR 308.4 crore in FY23. Employee benefit costs dropped to INR 123 crore from INR 204.1 crore, while ad and promotion expenses fell to INR 37.3 crore from INR 62.1 crore. Other expenses also declined to INR 30.7 crore from INR 42.2 crore.
Apna – Partnerships
Apna company collaborated with some of India’s most prestigious governmental and private institutions, including the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the National Skill Development Corporation, and UNICEF YuWaah, to help applicants get improved skilling and employment prospects.
Apna’s platform onboarded more than 100,000 recruiters in India, including BYJU’s, Flipkart, Zomato, Licious, Burger King, Zepto, Rapido, PharmEasy, and more. With a streamlined job posting process that takes less than five minutes, recruiters can connect with hyperlocal candidates possessing relevant skills within a span of two days.
Swiggy
In April 2023, Swiggy, the popular online food delivery startup, joined forces with Apna in a collaborative effort. The partnership’s primary focus is to create 10,000 hyperlocal opportunities exclusively for Swiggy’s quick-commerce grocery service, Instamart. This strategic alliance aims to enhance Swiggy’s operations and strengthen its delivery workforce in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Apna – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
Apna Brand Campaign | #ApnaKaamAyega
Apna company has undertaken advertising and social media campaigns to create awareness and attract job seekers. Their notable campaign, #ApnaKaamAyega, launched in April 2022, aimed to highlight Apna’s ability to connect job seekers with relevant opportunities. The campaign conveyed a message of hope and confidence to job seekers, establishing Apna’s brand presence in the competitive job market.
Additionally, Apna leverages social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram to share engaging content. Their social media posts focus on capturing users’ attention and fostering relatability. By utilizing these channels, Apna expands its online presence, reaches a broader audience, and generates interest in the platform.
Apna – Competitors
Some of Apna’s top competitors are:
- Monster
- Hired
- Indeed
- Naukri.com
- Zippia
- ZipRecruiter
Pratyusha Srivastava
Apna – Future Plans
Apna, India’s largest professional networking platform, is committed to improving job accessibility and helping users find the right opportunities. Their new initiative, Apna Ascend, aims to upskill 1 million job seekers by 2024, providing top-notch training and bridging the skill gap. With dedicated coaching, improvement sessions, and insights from industry experts, Apna Ascend empowers job seekers and addresses the skills mismatch.
Additionally, Apna plans to launch more courses in sectors like sales and data support services to widen the scope of upskilling and create job opportunities in emerging technologies. Furthermore, Apna has introduced an international jobs feature, expanding career horizons by assisting Indians in finding work opportunities in the global market. These efforts align with Apna’s commitment to enhancing job prospects for its users.
FAQs
What is Apna company?
Apna is a job portal and professional networking platform that helps job seekers, especially blue-collar and grey-collar workers, connect with employers. It offers job listings, skill development, and networking features to simplify hiring and job searching.
What does Apna do?
Apna is a professional networking platform that connects job seekers with relevant opportunities and empowers recruiters to find the right talent.
Who is Apna founder?
Apna was founded by former Apple executive Nirmit Parikh in 2019.
What is Apna app?
Apna app is a mobile application that serves as a comprehensive platform for job seekers and recruiters, facilitating job searches, networking, and professional development.
What was Apna revenue in FY24?
Apna’s total revenue in FY24 was INR 138.9 crore, down from INR 188.1 crore in FY23.
What is Apna net worth?
Apna is valued at $1.1 billion as of January 2025.
What is Apna business model?
Apna follows a B2B and B2C model. It earns revenue from employers through job postings, recruitment services, and hiring solutions. It also offers upskilling and networking features for job seekers.
