Source | techcrunch-com.cdn.ampproject.org | Manish Singh
Javed, a middle-aged man, worked as a driver before losing that job earlier this year as coronavirus spread across India, prompting New Delhi to enforce a nationwide lockdown and temporarily curb several business activities.
There are millions of people like Javed in India today who have lost their livelihood in recent months. They are low-skilled workers and are currently struggling to secure another job.
An Apple alum thinks he can help. Through his app startup Apna, Nirmit Parikh is helping India’s workers learn new skills, connect with one another and find jobs.
Parikh’s app is already changing lives. Javed, who could barely speak a few words in English before, recently posted a video on the Apna app where he talked about his new job — processing raisins — in English.
In less than one year of its existence, the Apna app — available on Android — has amassed more than 1.2 million users.
The startup announced on Tuesday it has raised $8 million in its Series A financing round led by Lightspeed India and Sequoia Capital India. Greenoaks Capital and Rocketship VC also participated in the round.
