Success Editor Team
Apna, one of India’s leading early talent hiring and job platforms, has announced the appointment of Kartik Narayan as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The move marks a pivotal moment for the Bengaluru-based startup as it gears up for its next phase of growth, product innovation, and market expansion in India’s rapidly evolving employment ecosystem.
The appointment comes at a strategic time when Apna is strengthening its leadership team to scale operations, deepen employer relationships, and expand its presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Kartik Narayan’s extensive experience in workforce solutions, technology-driven hiring, and business transformation is expected to play a key role in shaping Apna’s future growth trajectory.
A Proven Leader in Workforce and HR Solutions
Before joining Apna, Kartik Narayan served as the CEO of Staffing at TeamLease Services, one of India’s largest human resource and staffing firms. Over his tenure, he played an instrumental role in digitalizing hiring processes, scaling workforce operations, and enhancing employability through technology-first strategies.
With over two decades of experience across HR, technology, and business management, Narayan brings deep expertise in talent acquisition, digital transformation, and organizational scaling. His leadership will help Apna strengthen its platform offerings, improve user experience, and cater to India’s diverse and fast-growing blue- and gray-collar workforce.
Apna’s Mission: Enabling Employment for Millions
Founded in 2019 by Nirmit Parikh, Apna has rapidly become one of India’s most trusted job and career development platforms for entry-level professionals, fresh graduates, and skilled workers. The platform connects millions of job seekers with employers across industries such as retail, delivery, logistics, manufacturing, and customer support.
Apna’s innovative community-based model and AI-powered matching algorithms help candidates find suitable jobs faster while enabling employers to hire efficiently at scale. The platform has also become a space for professional networking, skilling, and mentorship, addressing the broader employability gap in India.
With over 50 million users and partnerships with hundreds of top employers, Apna has revolutionized how early-career professionals discover job opportunities and build their careers. Backed by marquee investors like Insight Partners, Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital, and Lightspeed India, the company achieved unicorn status in 2021.
Charting the Next Phase of Growth
Under Kartik Narayan’s leadership, Apna is expected to double down on its technology innovation, AI-driven hiring tools, and user-centric solutions. The company aims to enhance its data analytics capabilities, build stronger employer networks, and empower small and medium businesses (SMBs) to find the right talent efficiently.
Narayan’s appointment also signals Apna’s intent to strengthen operational excellence, expand into new verticals, and deepen its impact across India’s digital job economy. With India’s labor market undergoing rapid digital transformation, Apna is well-positioned to lead the next wave of inclusive and technology-enabled employment solutions.
Conclusion
The appointment of Kartik Narayan as CEO marks a significant milestone for Apna as it enters a new chapter of growth and innovation. Backed by strong leadership, cutting-edge technology, and a clear mission to empower India’s workforce, Apna is set to redefine the future of hiring and job creation in the country.
