Apna.co, the job and professional networking platform has launched apna Canvas, a solution transforming the hiring process for early talent (0-3 years). With access to over 2 crore freshers from 22,000+ colleges across 2,500 cities, the platform streamlines hiring and talent assessment for early talent through competitions and skill evaluations.
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-21, approximately 41 lakh students graduate every year in India, yet there needed to be a centralized platform connecting freshers to employers. Apna Canvas fills this gap, helping candidates get assessed, filtered, and hired. On the other hand, companies get access to a broader talent pool, minimizing logistical overhead and saving time, cost, and effort in the hiring process. The platform aims to address key hiring challenges and bridge the gap between companies and freshers, empowering both sides for success.
One of the key problems in hiring early talent is the need for more diversity in the candidate pool and the logistical overhead associated with visiting multiple institutions. Apna Canvas solves this by leveraging its enormous network of 2 crore freshers from 22,000 colleges and collaborations with AICTE, TPO/Placement Cells, and Apna’s robust social media presence. This extensive reach means businesses can effectively access diverse talent, particularly beyond metros in tier 2 and tier 3 locations, assisting them in finding the perfect cultural match while lowering recruitment costs.
Speaking about the initiative, Nirmit Parikh, CEO & Founder of apna.co, said:
apna Canvas is an audacious initiative that fills a crucial gap in the recruitment ecosystem, which no one addressed. With 41 lakh graduates each year and no centralized platform for freshers, we saw this opportunity and took it upon ourselves to solve it. Companies like PWC, Swiggy, and PhonePe coming on board highlight its immense potential. This platform is poised to transform the fresher hiring landscape in India, and we’re incredibly excited about the impact it will have.
Another significant challenge is the intense competition to attract top candidates. apna Canvas tackles this head-on by helping companies build a strong employer brand recall through interactive microsites, virtual pre-placement talks, and gamified challenges. These tools allow businesses to showcase their culture and values directly to students, enhancing engagement and increasing their appeal to top talent. This seamless, tech-driven approach leads to a more efficient and impactful recruitment process across regions.
As part of its ongoing initiatives, apna Canvas has hosted notable competitions and engagement activities with top multinational companies. The PwC Campus Contender 2024 saw over 12,000 students competing for a cash prize of ₹6 lakhs, marking a 3X increase from the 4,000 registrations in the previous year. Leverage Edu’s Dream University Pitch 2024 also saw thousands of students competing for exciting prizes such as MacBook Air, iPad Air, and AirPods, further driving engagement and increasing the platform’s appeal among young talent.
Looking ahead, apna Canvas is set to expand its reach with upcoming partnerships, including large-scale competitions with Swiggy and PhonePe. These will further enhance its recruitment ecosystem and offer freshers even more opportunities to connect with top employers.
Founded in 2019, apna.co is dedicated to helping India’s rising workforce unlock unique professional networking and skilling opportunities. The company aims to enable livelihoods for billions of people in India. With more than 50 million users in 825+ cities and more than 600,000 employers trusting the platform, India has a new destination to discover relevant opportunities, enabling jobs in over 200 categories across sectors.
