Apple alum’s jobs app for India’s workers secures $8 million
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 Apna app where he talked about his new job — processing raisins — in English. In less than one year of its existence, Apna app — available on Android — has amassed over 1.2 million users. The startup announced on Tuesday it has raised $8 million in its Series A financing round led by Lights