While many aspire to pursue lucrative careers abroad, some individuals are motivated by a different calling—to return to their roots and tackle critical issues in their homeland. Nirmit Parekh, a Stanford graduate, exemplifies this ethos as the founder and CEO of Apna, a blue-collar job platform that has swiftly become India’s youngest billion-dollar startup, addressing youth unemployment challenges.
Parekh’s journey began in Mumbai, where he nurtured an innovative mindset from a young age. By the age of seven, he had crafted a digital clock circuit, and at 13, he delved into programming and robotics. His academic journey commenced in 2006 at Nirma Institute of Technology, where he pursued his B.Tech.
In 2009, at the age of 21, he founded his first venture, Incone Technologies, focusing on flood management. His leadership skills earned him an invitation to the World Economic Forum as a Global Shaper. Following this success, he founded Cruxbox, eventually selling it to Intel. Subsequently, he served as the Director of Data Analytics for Intel in the US before earning an MBA from the prestigious Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Post-MBA, Parekh joined Apple’s product and strategy team for the iPhone in the US. However, recognizing a significant gap in India’s employment sector, he made a bold decision to leave his high-paying job, returning to India just before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. His vision was to establish Apna, a platform connecting professionals with blue-collar employment opportunities.
To gain firsthand insights into the blue-collar job environment, Parekh even worked incognito as a factory laborer. In just 22 months since its inception, Apna achieved unicorn status, currently valued at $1.1 billion (Rs 9,016 crore). The platform experienced a remarkable 125% growth within two years and is utilized by over 1.5 lakh prominent companies in India, including Unacademy, BigBasket, Licious, WhiteHatJr, Flipkart, Shadowfax, Zomato, Delhivery, G4S Global, and Burger King.
Accessible in 11 languages and operating in 28 cities, Apna has emerged as one of the largest professional networks in the recruiting vertical, boasting over 10 million app downloads. Parekh’s transformative journey reflects the power of entrepreneurship in addressing societal challenges and creating impactful solutions.