Mayank Kumar, co-founder of upGrad, and Ayush Mathur, former senior leader at OYO, have joined forces to launch BorderPlus, a platform designed to bridge the gap between blue-collar workers in India and global job opportunities.
The venture kicks off with a focus on the healthcare sector in Germany, addressing the country’s growing labour shortage. Plans are already underway to expand into other sectors such as hospitality, retail, teaching, construction, logistics, and trucking, as well as explore job markets in other countries over time.
Drawing from his experience as President of OYO Europe, Mathur highlighted the acute labour shortages in Denmark and Germany, especially in roles like housekeeping. This insight, coupled with Kumar’s edtech expertise, has shaped the strategic vision for BorderPlus.
Kumar, who stepped down from his operational role at upGrad last year, remains involved in the edtech company’s strategic decisions while devoting his efforts to this new venture.
A Pilot for Success
BorderPlus has launched its first pilot training batch with about 10 candidates, aiming for rapid scaling. Initially, training batches will be conducted monthly, with each program lasting 6-9 months. The programs are offered in online, blended, or offline formats, with the final stage conducted in person to focus on intensive language learning and job readiness.
Training Centers and AI Integration
The first training centre was established in Pune, with a second in Mumbai. Additional centres are planned across India to support final-stage training. To enhance language skills, BorderPlus is developing an AI-powered conversational bot built on OpenAI’s technology. This tool will offer interactive spoken language practice, helping candidates prepare for their roles abroad.
The Road Ahead
With a strategic approach to addressing global labour shortages and improving the livelihoods of Indian workers, BorderPlus is poised to become a game-changer in the global workforce mobility space.
