MentorKart®, a career-tech platform that solves a significant challenge of corporate clients to source, screen, and skill/develop candidates for roles across functions, has recently raised $250,000 in a funding round led by Realtime (RTAF), a SEBI registered angel fund based in India and Tie Angel India, a global network of angel investors from chapters across the world.
Founded by Ashish Khare, Mentorkart runs academies on its platform for companies to make recruits job-ready and achieve peak productivity from the day they join. The company aims to prepare the youth industry and future through its initiatives, including active learning programs, job guarantee programs, goal-based mentorships and 1:1 mentorship by the top 1%.
Speaking about the company and its mission, Founder & CEO of MentorKart, Ashish Khare, said:
MentorKart is on a mission to address a dual challenge, catering to the needs of both employers and ambitious young professionals. The company is also taking bold steps to incorporate Generative AI technology into its platform, enabling scalable acquisition, engagement, and monetization.
Khare added:
MentorKart’s core mission is to catalyze life transformations and sculpt prosperous careers. Their vision entails a revolutionary overhaul of the job and skill development landscape, diligently working to bridge the chasm between untapped talent and promising opportunities. Distinguished by their distinctive approach of harmonizing the entire employability ecosystem, MentorKart stands out in a crowded marketplace. Fueled by a product-centric growth strategy, MentorKart remains unwavering in its commitment to directly facilitate employment for over 5,000+ young individuals in the coming months. Concurrently, their goal is to empower and upskill more than 100,000+ students, propelling their user base to soar beyond the 1-million mark on the MentorKart platform.
He further mentioned:
In a steadfast commitment to fostering national and regional inclusivity, the company has forged several strategic alliances. MentorKart has successfully onboarded over 100+ partners in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across various states, with ambitious plans to bolster this number to 500+ within the next few months. This concerted effort aims to empower local talent and drive regional development. Furthermore, MentorKart has nurtured a robust network of mentors, offering users invaluable guidance and support. The platform’s influence extends beyond its core user base, with a sprawling ecosystem serving over half a million individuals through collaborative connections with popular job portals, universities, and colleges.
The startup believes that mentor-mentee relationships have the potential to transform lives and close skill gaps sustainably to meet the demands of the industry. These industry veterans, educational gurus, specific domain specialists, and entrepreneurs give their mantra for seeing life and claiming what one is entitled to. Their expertise can help individuals develop their wisdom to handle ups and downs in various stages of life. With their on-the-ground practical experience, these real-world persons qualify as modern gurus, life coaches, or Real Mentor.
The Chair of TIA, Mahavir Pratap Sharma, is highly optimistic about TIA’s investment in MentorKart for two reasons: the skilling with outcomes for today’s youth and MentorKart’s GTM strategy are ground-breaking and will propel the startup to tremendous heights.
Commenting on the fundraising, Pranay Mathur, Partner & CEO of Realtime (RTAF), said:
We’re thrilled to invest in MentorKart’s ambitious vision. Their dual-focus approach addresses corporate skilling demands and the aspirations of young professionals from every corner of our country. By leveraging Generative AI, MentorKart is set to redefine how talent acquisition, engagement, and upskilling are approached. Their drive to tap into Tier 2 and 3 markets aligns with Realtime’s commitment to empowering the future of our workforce. We believe this funding will propel MentorKart to new heights, creating a more job-ready generation and bridging the industry-academia gap.
With this round of funding, the company plans to expand its customer base and extend its outreach to aspiring professionals in Tier 2/3 cities looking to kick-start their careers across diverse industries.
MentorKart has received $500K in funding to date from Realtime (RTAF), Lets Venture, Startup Buddy, and others.