Indian Actor Shilpa Shetty Backs Upskilling Platform Hunar Online

Women-focused upskilling platform Hunar Online has received an undisclosed amount of funding from Indian actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra. As part of the deal, Shetty has also become the brand ambassador of the startup.

With this, Hunar aims to offer a holistic learning experience, leverage its online community, provide gig and work-from-home employment opportunities, and also offer business opportunities to students.

Founded in 2013 by Nishtha Yogesh, the Hyderabad-based startup offers varied courses in four disciplines – fashion designing, home décor, baking and beauty. Some of its courses include fabric designing, garment and bag making, home décor, jewellery designing, baking, chocolate making, make-up courses, boutique management, and fashion entrepreneurship. 

Hunar said that it offers NSDC-certified government-recognised courses, where students get industry training to become entrepreneurs. It claims to manage an online community of 20 Lakh women.

“As an independent woman, I believe that financial independence and having a personal source of income are important for the woman, her family, and the country. When I attended the Hunar Fashion Show as a chief guest, I saw first-hand the impact that Hunar’s team was creating, and I wanted to join them as an investor and a brand ambassador,” Shilpa Shetty said. 

In the past, Hunar partnered with ITC, Aashirvaad Atta and Naturals Salon to empower women. 

The startup said that it offers access to over 55 video-based online courses along with live virtual master classes and webinars. It asserts that it offers courses to more than 45,000 students; of this, 30% are earning INR 50K every month via their businesses. 

“Our goal has always been to offer a safe and encouraging ecosystem wherein Indian women can learn multiple skills from home, create their designs or products and gain recognition and financial independence. We are excited to have Shilpa join our journey,” said Nishtha Yogesh, founder and CEO of Hunar Online.

In the online upskilling space, it competes with the likes of Udemy and Future Learn, among others. 

The development has come at a time when many Indian actors are showing interest in the startup ecosystem. Besides having successful acting careers, Bollywood actors are also stepping into the shoes of entrepreneurs and backing startups in D2C, healthcare and allied sectors. 

In September, Indian actor Dia Mirza backed sustainable baby apparel startup Greendigo. During the same month, Indian actor Ranveer Singh invested in beauty startup SUGAR Cosmetics. 

Prior to that, Bollywood actor Rakul Preet Singh infused money in D2C startup Wellbeing Nutrition.