October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

Apna: How an Indian Startup Became a Unicorn in Less Than Two Years

Apna’s journey from a 2019 launch to a reported $1.1 billion valuation in September 2021 ran through a jobs-and-networking platform and two rapid funding rounds.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Apna reached a reported $1.1 billion valuation in September 2021, about 22 months after its 2019 launch. Its path combined a jobs-and-professional-networking platform for India’s working-class job seekers with rapid financing: a $70 million Series B in June 2021 was followed by a $100 million Series C led by Tiger Global. Those figures describe private funding rounds and reported valuations—not revenue, profit, or money paid to the founders.

The employment problem Apna set out to address

Apna focused on people seeking work and professional connections in India’s working class. The company described its service as a way to connect people with job and entrepreneurship opportunities, alongside skilling. Its founder and CEO, Nirmit Parikh, said in the company’s June 2021 announcement: “At Apna we are determined to take a fresh approach towards solving employment and skilling challenges for billions.” That statement described the company’s mission; it is not independent evidence of the platform’s impact.

The platform’s history began in 2019. Scroll reported that an early prototype launched in Mumbai’s Powai and Thane neighborhoods, but the available accounts do not establish a precise launch day. September 2021 coverage called Apna 22 months old, so “less than two years” is a rounded description of the interval from launch to the financing milestone.

How the platform was positioned

Apna brought job discovery and professional networking together, with skilling as part of its stated offering. The product was aimed at workers looking for opportunities and connections, rather than being described simply as a conventional job-listing site. Google Cloud’s customer case study says Apna used Google Cloud services including Kubernetes Engine, BigQuery, Vertex AI, Cloud SQL, Pub/Sub, and Firebase. That technical account is published by a cloud vendor and should be read as a customer case study, not an independent assessment of business performance.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
EUCOS 62" Phone Tripod, Tripod for iPhone & Selfie Stick with Remote
  • 100% LIFETIME PROTECTION: Enjoy reliable performance with lifetime coverage, guaranteeing your tripod is always protected against any defects or issues.
  • Ultimate Materials & Engineerin: EUCOS's phone tripod utilizes modified Nylon PA6/6 for all-weather durability. The engineered polymer delivers exceptional crush/shear resistance and toughness, achieving optimal rigidity-flexibility balance.
  • Rapid Extension Tripod for Phone: Glide the rod in a single, fluid motion to convert it from a compact tripod into a full 62" selfie stick. Achieve instant elevation for dynamic filming.
  • Studio-Grade Phone Rig: Safely harness phones from 2.2" to 3.6" wide with pro-level clamping and effortless framing. Built-in cold shoe expands your creative options with lights and mics.
  • Hands-Free Control: The Wireless remote enables instant pairing with smartphone and remote capture from up to 33ft/10m. Ensures rock-solid stability for blur-free photography and Start/Stop video recordings effortlessly—all without device contact.

The funding rounds that marked the rapid rise

Date Round and capital raised Lead investor Reported valuation
June 15, 2021 Series B: $70 million Insight Partners and Tiger Global $570 million, stated by Apna
September 2021 Series C: $100 million Tiger Global $1.1 billion, reported for the private financing round

In its June 15, 2021 announcement, Apna said the Series B brought its cumulative funding to more than $90 million. The September Series C was also reported to include Owl Ventures, Insight Partners, Sequoia Capital India, Maverick Ventures, and GSV Ventures. The valuation rose from the $570 million figure stated after the Series B to $1.1 billion at the Series C; these were reported private-company financing valuations, not measures of sales, earnings, or founder wealth.

Why investors may have been interested

Company and founder statements in 2021 pointed to substantial activity on the platform, although the figures use different metrics and should not be treated as a consistent time series.

Rank #2
Sale
Extendable Phone Tripod for iPhone, Selfie Stick with Remote & Phone Holder
  • ENHANCED TRIPOD BASE - The newly upgraded tripod base is equipped with silicone anti-slip foot pads, which are more stable and less prone to shaking when unfolded. And our phone tripod has an adjustable metal ring that helps you lock the tripod quickly. It is perfect for selfies, family photos, video logs, YouTube, live streaming, FaceTime, and Instagram
  • WIRELESS REMOTE - Selfie stick tripod with wireless remote control, wireless remote control distance up to 33 feet, compatible with IOS 5.0 and Android 4.3 and above versions, fast pairing, very simple operation. Our iphone tripod can be rotated vertically by 180° and horizontally by 360°, supporting both portrait and landscape modes, as well as the prone mode
  • WHAT YOU GET - The package includes: Tripod Stand × 1; Phone Holder × 1; Remote × 1; User Manual × 1. Has FCC and CE certification. For whatever reason, if you are not satisfied with our selfie stick tripod, or if you have any questions about the product. Please feel free to let us know via Amazon and we will sincerely provide you with a solution within 12 hours
  • In its June 2021 Series B announcement, Apna reported more than 10 million candidates and over 100,000 employers.
  • In September 2021, TechCrunch attributed to Parikh figures of more than 150,000 employers, over 5 million active jobs, and over 18 million interviews in the preceding 30 days.

These numbers were contemporaneous company or founder claims, not current audited metrics. The counts also measure different things: candidates, employers, active job listings, and interviews. Google Cloud’s case study contains a separate snapshot citing 22 million users and 80 million job interviews per month, but its wording does not establish a clear measurement date. It therefore cannot be directly compared with the dated 2021 figures.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What the unicorn milestone means—and what it does not

Contemporary coverage described Apna as India’s fastest startup to reach unicorn status when the September 2021 round placed its reported valuation at $1.1 billion. In this context, “unicorn” means a private startup valued at at least $1 billion; the label reflects the financing valuation, not proof that the company had earned that amount or was profitable. The round’s $100 million is the capital raised, while the $1.1 billion is the reported valuation—two distinct figures.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
VIMOSE 66" Phone Tripod, Tripod for iPhone with Remote & Phone Stand
  • Steel-Reinforced Steadiness:Featuring a tri-functional design, this 66-inch aluminum phone tripod stand integrates a steady base, telescoping arm, and multi-angle phone holder - an all-in-one solution for content creation, from overhead product shots to full-body portraits
  • Intuitive Angle Control: Precision-engineered locking flanges enable instant switching between portrait, landscape, and 45° angled shots. Universally compatible with mobile phones ranging from 2.2" to 3.6" widths without slippage, making it a versatile addition to your Tripod & Monopod Accessories
  • True Mobile Rig Flexibility:Engineered for steady everyday use rigidity, this adaptable cell phone tripod mount ensures rock-solid grip on smartphones. Its built-in Cold-Shoe slot enables seamless attachment of vlogging accessories like LED panels or mics
  • Vibration-Free Content Creation: Integrated wireless Bluetooth remote (10m range) eliminates touchscreen interference. Perfect for capturing crisp stills or initiating smooth video recordings hands-free – an essential tool among modern Tripod & Monopod Accessories for solo creators
  • In the Box: 66" Metal iphone tripod stand, 360° rotatable phone mount, 10m range phone camera remote, Includes 36 months of technical support and product coverage

The 2021 coverage offers a snapshot of a fast-growing platform and its fundraising, not a current picture of Apna. The available information does not establish its corporate status, revenue, profitability, or platform activity as of October 2026. Scroll reported in 2021 that Apna had yet to make revenue at that time; that historical account does not determine what happened afterward.

Best Value
Sale
RISEOFLE 71” Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick, Portable All in One Extendable Cell Phone Tripod Stand, with Wireless Remote Control for iPhone/Samsung/Android/Camera
  • [Versatile Design] RISEOFLE 71'' Phone Tripod and Selfie Stick combo is the perfect accessory for all your cell phone photography needs.The high-quality aluminum alloy telescopic pole allows you to extend effortlessly and smoothly, and turns into a tripod with just one pull. Its sturdy yet lightweight design provides stability and reliability, ensuring that your phone or camera stays safe during use. Ideal for Selfies/Live/Video Recording/Travel
  • [Extra Tall 71" Adjustable Phone Tripod] This selfie stick tripod features a 7-section adjustable aluminum telescoping pole that adjusts from 12.2 in (31 cm) to 70.86 in (180 cm). Provides exceptional flexibility for shooting a variety of shots. Whether you're taking a selfie, a group photo or shooting a video, the adjustable height ensures you get the best angle every time.
  • [Compact & Portable Design] The RISEOFLE phone tripod stand With a folded length of only 31cm (12.2 in) and a weight of 264g (0.58 lb), extremely portable and easy to store, it can be effortlessly placed into your backpack or carry-on luggage, making it the perfect companion for your travels. Wherever you go, it allows you to capture amazing footage with ease.
  • [360° Rotation & Wide Compatibility] Featuring a 360° rotating phone holder, this selfie stick tripod allows you to easily switch between portrait and landscape modes for the best viewing angle. The universal holder fits smartphones with widths of 2.6''-3.6'' (4''-7'' screen size) and is compatible with most cameras, action cams, and webcams via the 1/4” screw mount (Note: the remote control function only applies to cell phones, the camera cannot use the remote control function).
  • [Perfect for Content Creation] Ideal for selfies, vlogging, and social media content creation, the RISEOFLE Tripod comes with a wireless remote control for hassle-free shooting. Whether you're on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Twitter, this phone stand for filming helps you capture professional-quality photos and videos with ease.
Rank #4
Sale
SENSYNE 62" Phone Tripod, Extendable Selfie Stick with Wireless Remote
  • 62" Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick Combo: Extendable phone tripod for iPhone and Android, combining a tripod stand and selfie stick in one lightweight design for selfies, photos, videos, vlogging, live streaming, and family gatherings.
  • Adjustable Height & 360° Rotation: The tripod extends up to 62 inches to support standing shots, group photos, video calls, and content creation. The 360° rotating phone holder allows vertical or horizontal shooting.
  • Stable Phone Holder for Daily Recording: Designed for hands-free video recording, online meetings, tutorials, livestreams, and social content. The phone holder keeps your device positioned securely for clear, steady shots.
  • Wide Compatibility with Phones and Cameras: Fits most smartphones from 2.8" to 5.7" wide and includes a universal 1/4" screw mount for compatible cameras, action cameras, webcams, and camcorders.
  • Wireless Remote & Complete Kit: Includes 1 phone tripod/selfie stick, 1 universal phone holder, 1 adapter, and 1 wireless remote shutter. Backed by 12-month after-sales support for everyday shooting needs.

Sources

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.