Apna.co, a job and professional networking platform, has introduced apna Canvas, a solution aimed at revolutionising the hiring process for early-stage talent (0-3 years of experience). With access to over 20 million fresh graduates from over 22,000 colleges across 2,500 cities, the platform claims to streamline recruitment and talent evaluation through competitions and skill-based assessments.
The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-21 reports that approximately 4.1 million students graduate each year in India, yet no centralised platform exists to connect freshers with employers. apna Canvas fills this gap by enabling candidates to be assessed, filtered, and hired, while offering companies a wider talent pool that reduces logistical burdens and saves time, money, and effort in the hiring process. The platform addresses critical recruitment challenges and fosters connections between employers and early-stage professionals, benefiting both sides.
One of the main challenges in hiring early talent is the lack of diversity in the candidate pool and the logistical complexities of visiting multiple campuses. apna Canvas tackles this by leveraging its vast network of 20 million freshers, partnerships with AICTE, TPO/Placement Cells, and its strong social media presence. This reach allows companies to access a diverse talent pool, especially from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, helping them find the right candidates while lowering recruitment costs.
“With 41 lakh graduates each year and no centralised platform for freshers, we saw this opportunity and took it upon ourselves to solve it. Companies like PWC, Swiggy, and PhonePe coming onboard highlight its immense potential. This platform is poised to transform the fresher hiring landscape in India,” Nirmit Parikh, CEO and Founder, apna.co, said.
Another challenge is the intense competition to attract top candidates. apna Canvas aims to address this by helping companies build strong employer brands through interactive microsites, virtual pre-placement talks, and gamified challenges. These features allow businesses to engage directly with students, highlighting their culture and values, which enhances their appeal to top talent. This tech-driven approach streamlines recruitment across regions, making the process more efficient and impactful.
As part of its initiatives, apna Canvas claims to have already collaborated with leading multinational companies for competitions and engagement activities. For instance, the PwC Campus Contender 2024 attracted over 12,000 participants competing for a cash prize of Rs 6 lakhs, a significant jump from 4,000 registrations the previous year. Similarly, Leverage Edu’s Dream University Pitch 2024 saw thousands of students vying for prizes like MacBook Air, iPad Air, and AirPods, further boosting engagement and appeal. Looking ahead, apna Canvas is set to expand its partnerships, with large-scale competitions planned with Swiggy and PhonePe, offering even more opportunities for freshers to connect with top employers.