Beyond Degrees

HRtech is rapidly evolving with a growing emphasis on next-generation talent. The priority has shifted toward skills rather than traditional metrics like academic qualifications. Unstop was born from this recognition of a critical need for recruiters must assess candidates based on their skills and potential, moving beyond mere academic backgrounds or the prestige of their colleges. This approach fosters a more inclusive and effective hiring process, aligning talent with opportunities in a dynamic job market.

Recruitment Landscape

AI will allow companies to automate and expedite certain segments of the hiring process, such as initial candidate screening and interview scheduling. Ankit Aggarwal, Founder, Unstop believes, “This will free up time for HR professionals to focus on more strategic evaluations like cultural fit and long-term potential. Going forward as AI evolves, it will become an indispensable tool, refining recruitment by ensuring more accurate, data-driven decisions while maintaining a human touch where it matters most.”

In August 2023, Unstop raised $5 million funding round was led by Mynavi, Japan’s job board and HRtech firm. In the round, Coursera, Venture Catalysts, 9Unicorns and Pankaj Bansal, through his fund Caret Capital, also participated.

Long-term Plan

The startup aims to cultivate India’s largest and most dynamic community of employable talent, where opportunities are genuinely earned through demonstrated skills rather than mere credentials.

By prioritising skill-based assessments, it seeks to empower individuals to showcase their true potential, fostering a more equitable and effective job market for all. While sharing the vision for the startup Aggarwal says, “Today, we proudly see ourselves as the LinkedIn for students, but our vision goes far beyond that. One day, we want LinkedIn to be called the Unstop for professionals.”

India’s Startup Story

Aggarwal is of a belief that Unicorn status shouldn’t be the sole metric of success for startups. Instead, we need to evaluate how prudent and strategic our entrepreneurs are in making their businesses scalable, sustainable, and profitable over the long term.

Furthermore, he stresses a clear shift from prioritising high valuations to focusing on profitability and sustainable growth. This marks a shift from the previous ‘growth-at-all-costs’ mentality that dominated during the bull market years.

As an entrepreneur, his long-term dream is to transform the hiring process, making it not only seamless but also more inclusive and merit-based. The startup aims to cultivate India’s largest and most dynamic community of employable talent. Additionally, it is also committed to bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. Through innovative solutions and community engagement, it aspires to redefine how talent is recognised and valued in today's competitive environment.

Resham Suhail

BW Reporters The author is Editorial Lead at BW Disrupt, BW Businessworld