Tag: Employment Opportunity

  • Nirmit Parikh: Revolutionizing Opportunities for Blue and Grey Collar Workers

    Nirmit Parikh leads Apna, a pioneering venture in India’s professional networking and job landscape. As the founder and CEO, Parikh’s journey showcases entrepreneurial determination, foresight, and a keen grasp of India’s job market trends.

    In 2019, Parikh set out to tackle the hurdles confronting countless job seekers in India. He envisioned Apna.co as a tech-driven solution to connect job seekers with employers, laying its groundwork. The platform quickly gained momentum, becoming a go-to hub for both job seekers and employers nationwide.

    Apna’s rapid ascent highlights Parikh’s knack for spotting market needs and delivering innovative solutions. With over 40 million users and 545,000 employers onboard, Apna has become a key driver of socioeconomic progress, linking individuals with meaningful job prospects across 74 Indian cities.

    As India experiences economic revitalization, Parikh remains steadfast in his vision for Apna, to equip individuals with the tools and opportunities essential for success in a dynamic job market. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to societal betterment, Parikh is not only shaping India’s employment landscape but also empowering millions to pursue their aspirations.

    ‘Every Emerging Working Class Individual Is A Champion’: Nirmit Parikh

    Nirmit Parikh – Biography

    Name Nirmit Parikh
    Nationality Indian
    Education Master of Business Administration, Stanford University Graduate School of Business
    Position Founder and CEO, Apna

    Nirmit Parikh – Early Life
    Nirmit Parikh – Career
    Nirmit Parikh – Apna

    Nirmit Parikh – Early Life

    Nirmit Parikh completed his Bachelor of Technology degree in Instrumentation & Control at Nirma Institute of Technology between 2005 and 2009. Following this, from 2014 to 2016, he pursued a Master of Business Administration at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

    He is the founder of Incone Technologies, a company specializing in control systems for hydropower automation and IT sectors. These systems can range from single powerful components to complex integrated systems spanning entire enterprises. Incone Technologies has implemented innovative control systems for various hydro and irrigation projects, benefiting corporations such as ICCS, AD Hydro, and NHPC, contributing to over 1200 MW of renewable energy.

    Additionally, Parikh co-founded Cruxbot, a company acquired by Kno Inc, Intel Corp, focusing on designing artificial intelligence solutions capable of processing large amounts of data to establish connections between people and machines.

    In November 2023, he joined Intel Corporation, leading the research and development team for personalized education. His responsibilities included strategic planning, data analysis, trend identification, defining product roadmaps, and overseeing product development of decision-making engines and algorithms. He successfully facilitated technology transfers and established Intel’s first office in Ahmedabad, India.

    Transitioning to Apple in July 2016, Parikh oversaw product and strategy for software platforms, particularly focusing on Capex.

    In 2019, he founded Apna, marking another milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.

    Nirmit Parikh – Career

    Apna, aside from its significant user base, has made notable partnerships with prominent companies such as Zomato, Burger King, and Delhivery, demonstrating its effectiveness in meeting the hiring requirements of various industries. Notably, Amazon.com, BigBasket, and HDFC Bank Ltd. have utilized the platform for recruitment purposes.

    Additionally, Apna’s collaboration with respected organizations like the National Skill Development Corporation and UNICEF Yuwaah highlights Parikh’s dedication to enhancing skills and employment prospects for India’s young population. Through partnerships with both public and private entities, Apna serves not only as a job platform but also as a force for societal change, empowering individuals to realize their full potential.

    Parikh’s influence extends beyond Apna, as he actively engages with government initiatives such as the Ministry of Minority Affairs of India to promote inclusive growth and opportunity creation. By leveraging technology and strategic partnerships, Parikh aims to democratize access to employment opportunities, ensuring that everyone has equal access to building a rewarding career.

    In terms of revenue, Apna primarily earns through its recruitment solutions provided on its website and mobile application. Revenue is generated through fees, recognized upon completion of services or at the end of the subscription period.

    Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Bangalore, Apna achieved unicorn status within just 21 months. Supported by Sequoia Capital, its total revenue surged by 283% to INR 65.7 Cr in FY22 from INR 17 Cr in FY21, while expenses rose by 293% year-over-year to INR 178.3 Cr, primarily due to increased spending on advertising and promotions.


    Apna Success Story: Empowering Job Seekers and Recruiters
    Apna is an online recruitment platform founded by Nirmit Parikh. Discover Apna company details like the business model, funding, revenue, and more.


    Nirmit Parikh – Apna

    In 2019, tech entrepreneur Nirmit Parikh immersed himself in the world of blue-collar work by taking on a role as an electrician in Mumbai. This firsthand experience revealed the significant challenges faced by workers in this sector, including a lack of support networks and resources for finding jobs and improving skills.

    Inspired by his observations, Parikh launched Apna, a smartphone app utilizing advanced algorithms to connect job seekers with employers on a local level, catering to rural areas as well. Apna also fosters more than 70 professional communities where individuals such as carpenters, electricians, and delivery personnel can network, share job-seeking tips, and enhance their skills.

    In just 21 months, Apna achieved a remarkable $1.1 billion valuation, with a vision of leveraging technology to drive cultural and social change. The platform experienced rapid growth, expanding by 125% within two years and garnering usage from over 150,000 companies in India, including Shadowfax, Zomato, and Burger King. Apna has facilitated over 100 million interviews and boasts over 10 million downloads of its Android app.

    Profile on Apna
    Profile on Apna

    Under Parikh’s leadership, Apna has become synonymous with innovation and impact in India’s job market. His adeptness in overcoming challenges, forming strategic partnerships, and fostering organizational growth reflects his leadership skills and dedication to positive transformation.

    Apart from his role at Apna, Parikh is esteemed as a thought leader in the entrepreneurial sphere, sharing insights and knowledge to inspire future innovators. His contributions to the startup community have earned him acclaim, solidifying his position as a visionary leader in India’s technology landscape.

    Furthermore, Apna collaborated with the Generation India Foundation, which aims to create employment opportunities for graduates of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start program. Through this partnership, Apna will assist graduates in honing their professional skills and connecting them with technology and cloud-related job opportunities through its platform. This collaboration addresses the growing demand for IT and cloud talent across India, providing AWS re/Start graduates with a platform to showcase their abilities directly to recruiters seeking entry-level tech roles nationwide.

    FAQs

    Who is Nirmit Parikh?

    Nirmit Parikh is the founder and CEO of Apna, a tech-driven solution to connect job seekers with employers.

    When was Apna founded?

    Apna was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Bangalore.

    How many users does Apna have?

    With over 40 million users and 545,000 employers onboard, Apna has become a key driver of socioeconomic progress, linking individuals with meaningful job prospects across 74 Indian cities.

  • Scale-Up Visa Route: A New Opportunity for Skilled Workers in the UK

    The article is contributed By Mr. Yash Dubal, Director, A Y & J Solicitors, London, UK.

    The UK Government has unveiled a range of measures to entice talented Indian workers but has made life more difficult for some entrepreneurs and investors.

    Recently, the British immigration system introduced several significant changes designed to attract ‘the brightest and best’ migrants from around the world. The aim of the policy changes is to boost UK productivity, making the nation more competitive.

    One of the most significant updates is the introduction of the highly anticipated Scale-Up visa route on August 22. This is targeted at highly skilled graduates wishing to work for UK companies with an annualized growth of at least 20% over the last three years and at least 10 employees at the beginning of the period.

    The Scale-up visa holders will be able to change employers after six months of working for their initial sponsor company, unlike workers on Skilled Worker visas who can only work for their sponsor.

    The Scale Up visa application process is anticipated to be easier than the current system for Skilled Workers. Candidates must speak English proficiently and have a job offer that is at the graduate level or above with a £33,000 per annum salary, or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

    The visa lasts for two years and can be extended for a further three if certain criteria are met. After five years’ continuous residence, an application for permanent settled status can be made, providing certain conditions are met.

    Another option for talented individuals wishing to work in the UK is the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa, which is opening for applications from 30 May. This ‘elite’ visa route is aimed at applicants who have gained a bachelors or postgraduate degree from a top-ranking university. The list of qualifying universities will be compiled annually by the UK Home Office – the UK government department in charge of immigration. Generally, post-grads from institutions in the top 50 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings and The Academic Ranking of World Universities will qualify. Candidates will also need to speak English proficiently and can sponsor dependents.

    The visa will allow high-flyers to work in any full-time job at any skill and pay level but is not a route to settlement.

    While the HPI and Scale Up visas are squarely aimed at attracting highly qualified individuals to boost the UK’s tech, digital and fintech sectors, there is also a new route for business people. The Global Mobility visa offers several options for workers going to the UK on temporary business assignments. There are sub-categories for graduate trainees, service suppliers, seconded workers, managers and specialists transferring from overseas branches and senior employees deployed to the UK by Indian businesses to expand their UK presence. These routes open from 11 April 2022.

    While these new routes aim to poach talent from other nations, other well-established visa routes have been closed. The controversial Investor or ‘golden’ visa was closed earlier in the year following concerns it had been used as a way of bringing dirty money to the UK to be laundered.

    The Sole Representative Visa route has been closed for initial applications from 11 April 2022, and also the Intra-Company Transfer route. These closures create real problems for businesses in India wishing to expand into the UK, for which Global Mobility routes are unsuitable. In these cases, A Y & J Solicitors, an expert immigration legal practice based in London, has pioneered a new, legal process called Self-sponsorship.

    This innovative idea allows those with a genuine intention to open a business in the UK a route to realise their ambitions. The process involves establishing a UK company, and then applying for a sponsor licence, which allows that company to sponsor an overseas worker on a Skilled Worker visa. That skilled worker will be the applicant, who, in effect, will be sponsoring themself to work in their own company. Under this scheme, after five years the visa holder may also qualify for residency and after six, for citizenship. They can also take spouses and children under 18.


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    There are big changes in the UK immigration system over the next months and the advice offered is to seek legal help from a reputable immigration expert when weighing up the possibilities of emigrating.