Former Unacademy COO Vivek Sinha raises $11 Mn for his new startup

Former Unacademy Chief Operating Officer Vivek Sinha has launched a new venture, Beyond Odds Technologies, after raising $11 million in seed funding. 

The startup, based in Bengaluru, aims to revolutionize employability through training, certification, and recruitment services, specifically targeting the grey-collar workforce in industries such as healthcare, education, hospitality, and construction.

Who are the investors?

The funding round for Beyond Odds Technologies was co-led by Matrix Partners India and Lightspeed, with participation from various investors. 

Notable participants include InnoVen Capital and Alteria Capital, as well as key figures from major Indian companies and startups, such as Ritesh Agarwal (Founder of OYO) and Gaurav Munjal (Founder of Unacademy). 

Launch and expansion plans

The first initiative under Beyond Odds is 'Emversity', a higher education brand set to launch its first centre in Bengaluru on April 20.

Sinha plans rapid expansion, with six more centres scheduled to open by June in Hyderabad, Delhi, Nagpur, Kochi, and Ranchi. These centres will focus on critical areas like emergency and trauma care, anaesthesia, medical laboratory technology, and more, integrating these with bachelor's degree programs and certifications in partnership with leading universities.

Educational programs and features

Emversity's programs are designed to bridge the gap between current educational offerings and the industry's actual needs.

The courses include built-in income opportunities, allowing students to earn while they learn, and 'work abroad integrated' modules to prepare them for global job markets. Comprehensive placement assistance is also a major feature, enhancing the employability of graduates.

The first cohort of students will benefit from tie-ups with top healthcare institutions like Fortis Hospitals and Core Diagnostics for both internships and job placements.

Addressing the pressing skill shortages

In his remarks, Vivek Sinha emphasized that Beyond Odds Technologies aims to address the pressing skill shortages in various sectors, supporting India’s goal to become a developed economy by 2047.

“Emversity is dedicated to preparing India's youth for the workforce and fostering the growth of sunrise industries through scalable skilled manpower. With our long-standing acquaintance with Vivek, we commend his grasp of the issue and capacity to establish pioneering institutions,” Rajat Agarwal, managing director at Matrix Partners India, said.