Former Unacademy COO Vivek Sinha Launches New Venture with $11 Million Funding
In a significant move within the ed-tech and employability sector, Vivek Sinha, the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the educational platform Unacademy, has introduced his latest project, Beyond Odds Technologies. The startup has successfully raised an impressive $11 million in seed funding, signaling a strong market confidence in its vision and leadership. This fundraising round saw participation from notable investors including Matrix Partners India and Lightspeed, positioning the company for a robust start.
Further bolstering the investment round, InnoVen Capital and Alteria Capital, along with a distinguished group of angel investors such as Ritesh Agarwal (OYO founder), Gaurav Munjal (Unacademy founder), Mayank Kumar (Upgrad founder), Ramakant Sharma (Livspace founder), amongst others, have expressed their trust and support for Sinha’s new venture. Their backing underscores the potential seen in Beyond Odds Technologies to significantly impact the grey-collar workforce sector.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Beyond Odds Technologies aims to revolutionize the employability landscape by offering training, certification, and recruitment services specifically designed for the grey-collar workforce. By connecting skilled talent with relevant employers, it seeks to address the critical gap in the job market, ensuring a smoother transition for students from education to employment.
In an ambitious move, the company will be introducing a higher education brand named Emversity, signaling its commitment to bridging the education-employment divide. The first Emversity center is set to open in Bengaluru on April 20, with plans to expand to six more cities, including Hyderabad, Delhi, Nagpur, Kochi, and Ranchi by June. Through a partnership model with universities, Emversity will offer specialized bachelor’s degree programs and certification courses.
Emversity’s initial offerings are strategically focused on the healthcare sector, promising to equip students with the requisite skills through comprehensive training programs. These programs boast collaborations with esteemed institutions such as Fortis Hospitals and Core Diagnostics for job placements and internships, ensuring students not only receive quality education but also practical, real-world exposure.
Vivek Sinha’s departure from Unacademy in August 2023, after a three-year tenure, was a prelude to this new entrepreneurial journey. His previous experience includes a significant stint as a business head at Oyo, from April 2018 to September 2020. With a history of leadership roles in notable startups, Sinha’s latest venture is closely watched by industry insiders and potential job seekers in the grey-collar domain alike.
Beyond Odds Technologies is poised to make a considerable impact on how grey-collar professionals are trained, certified, and placed in the workforce. With a strong financial foundation, an experienced leadership team, and a clear vision, it is set to redefine employability standards in the industry.
