Bangalore: Vahan.ai, India’s leading AI-powered hiring platform for blue-collar workers, has secured investment from Persol Group, a prominent HR services provider in the Asia-Pacific region based in Tokyo, Japan. This strategic partnership aligns with Persol Group’s foc on expanding its footprint in the Indian market, which is witnessing significant growth in its economy.
India’s gig economy is at an inflection point, with demand for gig workers surging by 25–30% in 202 primarily driven by the quick commerce sector. According to industry experts, gig hiring in this sector is projected to grow by a staggering 60% in 2025, fueled by the rapid expansion of dark stores, increased investments, and penetration into Tier II and III cities. The Niti Aayog projects that India’s gig workforce, currently at 9–10 million, could reach 23.5 million by 2029–30, showcasing the sector’s immense long-term potential.
With this investment, Vahan.ai aims to scale its operations, focusing on emerging sectors like manufacturing and retail, and continue enhancing its cutting-edge AI technology to meet the evolving needs of employers and workers alike. Earlier in September 2024, Vahan.ai raised $10 million in its Series B funding round led by Khosla Ventures, along with Y Combinator, US-based VC firm Gaingel
and Indian tech entrepreneur Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder of Paytm, amongst others.
Manufacturing, a key pillar of the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, is projected to grow from 15% of India’s GDP to over 25%, adding USD 320 billion in gross value added (GVA). Meanwhile, the retail sector is expected to expand from USD 779 billion in 2019 to over USD 2 trillion by 2032, with e-commerce alone growing at an annual rate of 11.45% to reach USD 91 billion by 2029, and the FMCG sector expected to be worth approximately USD 616 billion by 2027.
To capitalise on these growth trends, Vahan.ai will also invest in advancing its AI technology. Currently, Vahan’s AI Recruiter conducts interviews in English and Hindi, with plans to support eight major Indian languages and numerous dialects within the next year, making the platform even more accessible and inclusive.