Mayank Kumar, co-founder of upGrad, and Ayush Mathur, a former senior leader at OYO, have teamed up to launch BorderPlus, a platform designed to connect blue-collar workers with global job opportunities.
BorderPlus will begin by focusing on the healthcare sector in Germany, with plans to expand into industries like hospitality, retail, teaching, construction, logistics, and trucking. The platform also intends to explore opportunities in other countries over time. It has already launched its first pilot batch with about 10 candidates and aims to scale quickly. Initially, training batches will be conducted once a month. Each programme lasts 6-9 months and includes online, blended, or offline formats, with the final phase conducted offline to focus on language learning.
Mathur, who spent more than a decade at OYO and most recently served as President of OYO Europe, said that Denmark and Germany account for a substantial amount of OYO’s European business, where he has noted a shortage of people wanting to conduct housekeeping. Kumar, who stepped down from his operational role as managing director at upGrad late last year, will continue to be involved in the EdTech company’s strategic decisions while focusing on this new business.
According to the company, the first training centre is located in Pune, followed by another in Mumbai, and additional locations across India are planned for final-stage training. To support language learning, BorderPlus is developing an AI-powered conversational bot based on OpenAI’s technology that enables interactive spoken language practice.
Kumar highlights that the programmes will be priced at Rs 2 lakh, but the full amount will be reimbursed to candidates as a scholarship or relocation assistance once they arrive in Germany.
The company focuses on a finishing school that prepares candidates with a programme comprising 70% language training, 20% cultural preparation, and 10% skills development. Kumar points out that India’s education system, especially in healthcare and nursing, already provides intense skill training, such as the BSc Nursing programme.
As Kumar states, the most significant challenges include teaching 20-23-year-olds a foreign language, particularly German, at a time when language learning is challenging. Another problem is competing with unorganized players who break the rules, affecting the upkeep of industry standards. Furthermore, there is the challenge of establishing trust for a strong Indian brand worldwide, particularly in the German and European markets, where recruiters and corporations may be unfamiliar with the brand.
upGrad, founded in 2015, provides various online and hybrid skilling programmes, certifications, and bootcamps under its B2C portfolio. It also enables leading Indian and international universities to offer diplomas, master’s degrees, and executive doctorates. In addition, the corporate skilling section offers chosen programs specialized to Enterprise clients and additional recruitment and employment services.
