Corporate Veterans Build Human Capital-Focused HR-Tech Marketplace For Startup Needs; Look To Cross ₹2 Cr In Revenue This FY

In the bustling streets of Mumbai, where skyscrapers house both corporate giants and budding startups, an innovative solution for human capital has emerged.

It’s called Zyvka, a human capital marketplace designed to ease the unique hiring, assessing, and training challenges for startups or even established companies.

Co-founded in 2022 by former corporate leaders Amber Srivastava and Prasad Routray, Zyvka aims to be a ‘startup-for-startups’. As they describe it, Zyvka is more than just an HR marketplace—it’s a catalyst for the growing Indian startup ecosystem.

The Genesis Of Zyvka:

Amber and Prasad first crossed paths more than a decade ago while working for the telecom giant Bharti Airtel.

Amber, an engineering graduate with an MBA, was an accomplished corporate professional with a strong foundation in finance and telecom. Prasad, a senior leader in the Indian telecom and financial sector with over 25 years of experience, recognized Amber’s potential early on, and they quickly formed a lasting bond.

Although Amber eventually left India in 2016 for opportunities in the Philippines and later in the United States, the two remained close.

A few years later, a phone call from Amber changed everything. He shared with Prasad a unique vision: an online human capital marketplace that would streamline human capital needs for companies in India, allowing their leaders to focus on core business functions.

The call resonated deeply with Prasad and soon he came on board as an investor-cum-co-founder.

“India’s startup ecosystem is growing by leaps and bounds, but it’s limited by a significant skill gap. I knew Zyvka was an idea that could transform human capital for startups and high-growth companies,” recalls Prasad, the co-founder of Zyvka, in an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.

For Amber and Prasad, Zyvka’s founding mission was clear. They wanted to address what they saw as the top barriers to effective hiring for companies in India:

• Skill Gaps: India has a booming startup scene but faces a shortage of industry-ready professionals. Startups need access to skilled talent, especially in niche fields.
  

• Lack of B2B Platforms: There was no one-stop platform specifically for human capital services tailored for startups and high-growth companies where human and tech capabilities intersect to get the best outcome.
  

• Complex, Fragmented Hiring Processes: Traditional recruitment methods are time-consuming and lack flexibility, which is vital for fast-moving businesses.
  

• Beyond Recruitment: The co-founders saw the need for continuous upskilling. Zyvka isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about creating long-term value through targeted training and development.
  

Armed with this vision, Amber and Prasad launched Zyvka with headquarters in Mumbai for India operations and a parent company in Sacramento, California, nurtured under the guidance of the San Francisco-based Founder Institute.

Zyvka’s Services In Detail:

The Zyvka marketplace works in a simple yet highly effective way. Companies can specify their hiring or training needs, and Zyvka taps into its network of 400+ recruitment partners, 10+ skill development companies, and 1,000+ colleges.

“Zyvka has built a vast network of trusted partners across India. Companies, startups even more so, can focus on innovating & growing their business while we manage their recruitment and training requirements,” Amber, the founder & CEO of Zyvka, shares with Startup Pedia.

Here’s how the process works:-

• The First Round: Candidates undergo a preliminary interview, which includes bots and human interviews to shortlist applicants.
  

• The Second Round: Selected candidates face Zyvka’s pool of 4,000+ expert interviewers who assess candidates’ fit and skill depth.
  

• The Final Handover & Onboarding: Approved candidates are connected with the hiring company for final onboarding.

This system ensures quality and efficiency, with Zyvka's recruitment partners conducting interviews 24/7. This flexibility allows hiring companies to find the right talent without time zone constraints or delays.

Recognizing the challenges new startups face, Zyvka recently launched a new vertical—the Zyvka Startup Box (ZSB). This “startup-for-startups” approach provides professional services to early-stage companies looking to grow without being weighed down by operational needs.

“Zyvka Startup Box is a unique concept. It’s designed to help new founders focus on their key products & services while Zyvka handles the peripheral needs,” Prasad states.

The ZSB includes services such as:-

• Company registration

• Website and app development

• HR and recruitment services

• Legal, marketing, wellness, and PR services

• Advisory, funding support, and more

Starting at an affordable price of ₹15,599 per service, ZSB allows founders to pick the support they need without stretching their budgets.

The Present & Future Of Zyvka:

Since launching in 2022, Zyvka has seen rapid growth. With revenue climbing from ₹40 lakh in its first year to ₹1.1 crore by March 2024, Zyvka has more than doubled its annual revenue in less than a year. This financial year, the company aims to surpass ₹2 crore in revenue.

Currently, Zyvka’s human capital services account for 90% of its revenue, with the Zyvka Startup Box contributing the remaining 10%. This balanced approach allows Zyvka to maintain a steady growth trajectory while exploring new business opportunities.

“We are always looking to improve. Our next steps include expanding into other high-potential markets like the UAE and adding physical offices in Gurgaon, Bangalore, and Pune,” says Prasad.

Building a startup in India’s complex ecosystem is not without its challenges. For Zyvka, one of the main obstacles has been cultural resistance within HR.

“The concept of a human capital marketplace is still new. Many companies are hesitant to adopt technology in their HR processes,” Amber admits.

India’s startup ecosystem is vibrant, but it’s also competitive, with thousands of startups vying for limited resources and talent.

 Here’s where Zyvka’s model has a distinct advantage:-

• Streamlined Processes: By offering a one-stop solution for human capital, Zyvka simplifies hiring for companies across industries.
  

• Flexible Service Options: Through ZSB, startups can access essential services without long-term commitments.
  

• Fractional Professional Concept: Zyvka promotes a model where independent professionals work across multiple projects, a relatively new concept in India.

“We are helping India transition to a more flexible, skills-based economy. Our goal is to support a dynamic work culture that fits the future needs of startups and large companies alike,” Amber adds.

India’s startup ecosystem is thriving, driven by initiatives like Startup India, which has fostered a fertile environment for innovative ideas.

With more than 140,000 startups recognized by the DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), India’s potential as a global innovation hub is more apparent than ever.

“Globally, India is one of the most reliable sources of high-skilled professionals in high volumes, and we’re proud to play a part in building that human capital,” Prasad states.

Over the next six months, Zyvka plans to expand its footprint both in India and internationally. The bootstrapped company aims to establish physical locations in the UAE and strengthen its alliances with various startups converging towards the Zyvka Startup Box.

Zyvka’s Journey Till Now:

Zyvka has quickly established itself as a trusted partner for startups navigating India’s landscape involving a high-skilled workforce. 

Amber and Prasad’s vision for a flexible, efficient, and scalable human capital marketplace is proving invaluable to the Indian startup ecosystem.

As the company continues to grow, it’s clear that Zyvka’s ‘startup-for-startups’ approach has only just begun to reshape how Indian startups build teams and scale.

By focusing on innovation, affordability, and flexibility, Zyvka stands out in the competitive world of human capital startups.

With a mission to transform both Indian and global recruitment approaches, Zyvka is more than just a marketplace—it’s a new way forward for the Indian corporate and startup ecosystems.

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