Apna Launches Campus Tank Season 2 – India’s Next Unicorn 2.0, Expands Funding Pool from USD 6Mn to USD 15 Million for Season 2

Bengaluru, Karnataka : Apna, India’s leading jobs and careers platform, has launched the second season of Campus Tank – India’s Next Unicorn 2.0, expanding its role in India’s employment ecosystem from helping people find meaningful work to enabling entrepreneurs to create jobs for others. In partnership with Chandigarh University, the initiative brings together returning investor partner Venture Catalysts alongside Inflection Point Ventures, Anthill Ventures, Indian Angel Network, Eaglewings Ventures, Aeravti Ventures, FAAD Network, PedalStart, Be An Angel and Kiani Ventures

An expanded investor network will help startups connect with capital partners suited to their stage and needs, spanning pre-seed to Series A. Beyond funding, the initiative will offer incubation, resources and ecosystem support through its partners, with further offerings to be announced as partnerships are finalised.

Speaking about the launch, Nirmit Parikh, Founder and Group CEO of Apna, said, “At Apna, our mission has always been to connect people with job opportunities, but through Campus Tank, we also have the opportunity to empower those who create jobs. The success of Season 1, with over 21,000 applications from 28 states and five union territories, reflects the immense entrepreneurial potential of India’s youth. As we launch Season 2, I am particularly excited about startups working in upskilling and reskilling, AI data training, and applied AI. I strongly believe India has the potential to build AI solutions not just for the country, but for the world. My message to young founders is to think long-term, look beyond funding rounds and valuations, and focus on building businesses that create lasting impact.”

Building on the Momentum of Season 1

The first season of Campus Tank attracted founders from across India, with 21,789 registrations from more than 1,200 cities. Three startups — Krvvy, Offlyn and Medoc Health — emerged from the initiative, representing businesses across consumer products, offline experiences and healthcare technology.

Krvvy is a women’s functional innerwear and shapewear brand designed for Indian body types. Offlyn is a Bengaluru-based platform that enables people to host, discover and get rewarded for offline experiences. Medoc Health develops AI-driven hospital automation solutions for healthcare providers, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor, Chandigarh University, said, “The vision and resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is coming true. India’s startup ecosystem and entrepreneurs will play the most significant part in transforming our country into a developed nation by 2047. India’s growing startup ecosystem, with around 2.25 lakh startups and over 125 unicorns, reflects the country’s entrepreneurial potential. However, the focus must now shift from increasing numbers to ensuring the quality, sustainability and global competitiveness of startups. Profitability is essential for the long-term sustainability of any venture. At the same time, strong leadership skills are equally important for both entrepreneurs and professionals to drive innovation and growth. Indian startups must focus on developing quality products and solutions that can compete globally and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s journey towards becoming a developed country by 2047.

Dr Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder, Venture Catalysts, added, “Campus Tank is about connecting founders across India with the capital and networks they need. With Season 2, a broader investor panel spanning pre-seed to Series A will help startups connect with investors suited to their stage and needs. We look forward to supporting promising founders as they build and grow businesses that can create opportunities for others.”

Chief guest Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), said, “India has never lacked ideas or entrepreneurial talent. What we need is a stronger ecosystem that helps transform these ideas into real-world solutions. My message to young entrepreneurs is to start early, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and focus on solving problems that truly matter to India. Ultimately, the true measure of success lies not just in building successful businesses, but in creating a meaningful impact on society.”

A National Platform for India’s Next Job Creators

Apna will lead the platform, registration infrastructure, national outreach and startup coordination. Chandigarh University will host the Grand Finale Demo Day and provide incubation support through Cube Founders Space. Investor partners will contribute to application evaluation, the Demo Day jury and connections to potential funding opportunities.

For Apna, Campus Tank is an extension of its focus on creating economic opportunities at scale. By bringing aspiring founders, investors and ecosystem partners onto one platform, it helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses with the potential to generate employment.

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