Gangtok: 1st Jan; Apuphi, a Sikkim-based artificial intelligence startup, has secured Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Germany at a company valuation of USD 4.4 million (around ₹40 crore), marking a breakthrough moment for the State’s growing technology ecosystem. Co-founded by Diwash Kapil Chettri and Sulabh Raj Gurung, Apuphi is among the first AI-driven startups from Sikkim to attract structured foreign investment, placing the state firmly on India’s startup landscape.
The investment aligns closely with Sikkim’s renewed focus on technology and innovation. The recent announcement by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang regarding the development of a state-level AI policy has signalled a vision for the future, and Apuphi’s success serves as evidence that startups from Sikkim can compete on a global stage. The founders say the milestone sends a powerful message, that world-class innovation can emerge from smaller states and remote regions as well.
Apuphi is developing an AI-powered career ecosystem designed to support individuals across different stages of their professional journeys — from fresh graduates seeking their first jobs to mid-career professionals exploring career shifts, workers affected by layoffs, and even blue-collar workers looking for task-based gig opportunities. The platform integrates job matching, upskilling, interview preparation, mentorship and access to flexible work options through intelligent, technology-driven tools.
The German funding has been structured as Series I Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares in full compliance with Indian regulations. The company plans to use the investment to enhance its AI infrastructure, expand platform features and grow its team, with a special focus on hiring talent from Sikkim and the wider Northeast region.
Apuphi’s rise also signals a shift in Sikkim’s economic narrative. Traditionally reliant on sectors such as agriculture, tourism, handicrafts and natural resources, the state is now witnessing the emergence of knowledge-based industries that can generate high-value employment for local youth. The founders believe their journey should inspire both young entrepreneurs and local investors, noting that international interest proves the viability of technology ventures from the region.
They also view the investment as reinforcing the State government’s AI policy vision, calling it a foundation for future tech entrepreneurship in Sikkim. While Apuphi plans to expand its reach across India and beyond, the company remains committed to keeping its operational roots in Sikkim. The platform is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Apuphi team.
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