Apuphi
Category: AI in HR & Talent
An AI-driven career and recruitment platform designed to bridge the gap between education and employment through advanced skill mapping and automated talent matching. Apuphi was founded in 2023. The company is led by Diwash Kapil Chettri. Based in Gangtok, India. Team size: 2-10. Total funding raised: Undisclosed. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include ["German FDI Investors"].
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- Gangtok, India
- Team size
- 2-10
- Total funding
- Undisclosed
Value proposition
Democratizes access to high-tech recruitment tools for non-metro regions while providing precise skill-to-role matching that reduces hiring friction and identifies specific skill gaps in candidates.
Products and solutions
["AI-Powered Skill Mapping Engine","Automated Recruitment & Talent Sourcing Portal","Career Pathing & Learning Recommendation System","Institutional Skill-Gap Analytics Dashboard"]
Unique value
As Sikkim's first AI-focused startup, it leverages a unique 'Skill-to-Job' mapping philosophy that prioritizes verified competencies over traditional resume keywords, specifically targeting untapped talent pools in the Himalayan region.
Target customer
Job seekers (students and professionals), HR departments, recruitment agencies, and educational institutions.
Industries served
["Human Resources (HRTech)","Education Technology (EdTech)","Information Technology","Professional Services"]
Technology advantage
Combines proprietary AI models for career development with a strategic academic-industry bridge, utilizing the founders' expertise in computer science and vocational training to create a localized yet scalable recruitment ecosystem.
How they differentiate
Focuses on a 'Skill-to-Job' mapping philosophy rather than traditional resume keywords, specifically targeting untapped talent pools in non-metro and Himalayan regions through deep academic integration.
Main competitors
["Eightfold.ai","Naukri.com","Apna"]
Key partnerships
["German-based FDI Investors (Strategic funding and European market access)","Medhavi Skills University (Academic and skill-validation partnership)","Rinchenpong Tourism Development Committee (Local community and operational integration)"]
Notable customers
["Medhavi Skills University","Rinchenpong Tourism Development Committee"]
Major milestones
["Founded in 2023 in Gangtok, Sikkim","Established strategic partnership with Medhavi Skills University for skill validation","Secured German Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at a $4.4 million valuation in January 2025","Recognized by Lok Sabha MP for pioneering the AI sector in the Himalayan region"]
Growth metrics
Valued at $4.4 million as of January 2025; recognized as Sikkim's first AI-focused technology startup.
Market positioning
Regional AI-HRTech pioneer and niche challenger in the recruitment automation space.
Geographic focus
India (primarily Northeast/Sikkim) and Germany (strategic expansion)
Patents and IP
No registered patents disclosed as of the latest update; proprietary algorithms are currently protected as trade secrets.
About Diwash Kapil Chettri
Diwash Kapil Chettri is a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Medhavi Skills University. He is also a founding member of the Rinchenpong Tourism Development Committee and has a background in AI and computer science education. He is recognized for leading Sikkim's first AI-focused technology startup.
Official website: https://apuphi.com/