Blue-collar staffing co Smartstaff attracts funding from Japan's Persol Group

Bengaluru-based blue-collar staffing platform Smartstaff has attracted investment from Tokyo-headquartered Persol Group, which focuses on temporary staffing, career transition services, IT outsourcing, and design and development. The group is looking at India as a key market. Smartstaff offers workers various benefits including instant advance salary, loans, leave bonuses, live chat support, an emergency SOS feature, and a dedicated helpline for the specific needs of female workers. Smartstaff was set up in February 2021 by Arpit Dave, Viral Chhajer, Gnanesh Chilukuri, and Aravind Reddy.