upGrad’s Mayank Kumar and Oyo’s Ayush Mathur Launch BorderPlus to Revolutionize Cross-Border Recruitment
- ByStartupStory | January 6, 2025
BorderPlus, an innovative talent mobility platform connecting blue-collar workers with global opportunities, has officially commenced operations. Co-founded by Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder and MD of upGrad, and Ayush Mathur, a former Oyo executive, BorderPlus aims to redefine cross-border mobility, beginning with the healthcare sector in Germany.
Reuniting after over a decade since their time at the Parthenon Group, Kumar and Mathur are spearheading efforts to address the talent migration gap in India by providing transparent and efficient recruitment pathways for blue-collar workers. Powered by a proprietary tech platform, BorderPlus combines language training with streamlined processes to bridge workforce gaps and offer workers equitable access to global opportunities.
A Vision to Bridge Global Talent Gaps
The platform’s initial focus will be on healthcare, addressing the high demand for skilled professionals in Germany. Future expansion plans include industries like hospitality, retail, teaching, construction, and logistics. The company also aims to enter new geographies, including the US, UK, ANZ, Canada, and Japan, within 6-8 months of operations.
Mayank Kumar explained their vision: “Ayush and I share a vision to unlock global opportunities for blue-collar workers, and this marks the right momentum as we look to expand our footprint. Despite being the largest youth nation, there’s a very severe opportunity gap in India that is restricting talent migration. Therefore, we have brought like-minded leaders together to revolutionise international recruitment and effectively channel India’s demographic dividend toward the right global opportunities. Ayush and I have also strategically divided geographical operations to maximise impact—Ayush focusing on addressing global workforce demand, while I lead talent acquisition in India.”
Comprehensive Training for Global Readiness
BorderPlus’ training program spans 6-9 months, offering flexibility through offline, blended, and online formats. The final phase involves offline sessions to ensure language proficiency and practical readiness. Initial training locations include Pune and Mumbai, with plans to expand nationwide for last-mile training.
Speaking about the initiative, Ayush Mathur shared: “Reuniting with Mayank after more than 10 years to build BorderPlus feels like a natural evolution of our shared values and goals. The global demand for skilled healthcare professionals is immense, and we’re committed to creating pathways that are transparent, efficient, and impactful. I have seen it with my experience at Oyo, how tough it is to find the right talent within the hospitality sector, and a streamlined talent migration model will help us achieve scale through industry and collaboration with organisations in Europe, UK, US, and Japan, and shall also elevate India’s journey to start with, of becoming the largest supplier of skilled labour.”
An Experienced Team at the Helm
BorderPlus is backed by a dedicated team, with Kevin Shah leading Demand, Praniti Lal and Radnyee Naik specializing in Language Training, and Subhendu Chandra heading Supply. This strategic alignment equips the company to tackle global workforce challenges effectively.
Mayank Kumar, known for building upGrad into one of the world’s largest online skilling platforms, ventures into his second entrepreneurial journey with BorderPlus. Ayush Mathur brings valuable insights from Oyo’s global expansion and market dynamics, complementing Kumar’s expertise.
About BorderPlus
BorderPlus is a groundbreaking platform dedicated to empowering blue-collar workers with global opportunities. By addressing workforce gaps in key sectors like healthcare, BorderPlus strives to create an impact-driven, scalable solution for cross-border recruitment, combining a global outlook with local expertise.