A Proud Moment for the Steel City
UditVani, New Delhi / Jamshedpur : Vineet Saraiwala, the founder of Atypical Advantage, a Jamshedpur-based NGO, has brought pride to the Steel City by receiving the prestigious National Award for his remarkable welfare work for persons with disabilities. The award was presented to him by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on December 3, 2024, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Atypical Advantage: Empowering Persons with Disabilities
Since its inception, Atypical Advantage has been a trailblazer in providing employment opportunities and enriching the lives of people with disabilities (PWDs). The platform has empowered over 20,000 PWDs, offering them job placements and artistic opportunities. It has secured 508 full-time job offers from prominent companies like Amazon and Nestle, further reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity.
National Recognition for Outstanding Work
In recognition of its outstanding efforts, Atypical Advantage was awarded the National Startup Award 2023 in the Social Impact category. Additionally, it was conferred with the National Award 2024 for institutions dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities, in the category of “Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshreshth Placement Agency.”
The citation for the award praised the platform’s role in facilitating job placements and promoting diversity through collaborations with over 250 global brands and training programs.
Atypical Advantage’s Journey and Vision
Founded by Vineet Saraiwala, Atypical Advantage is now the country’s largest livelihood platform for persons with disabilities. The platform is unique in that it integrates talent and provides a space for individuals with disabilities to showcase their skills and connect with corporates, individuals, and agencies globally.
Vineet, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), was inspired to create Atypical Advantage due to his personal experiences with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that gradually causes loss of eyesight. His vision for the platform is to break barriers and provide equal opportunities to persons with disabilities.
Vineet Saraiwala’s Shark Tank Journey
Vineet’s entrepreneurial journey gained significant national attention when he appeared on Shark Tank India Season 2. In a pitch lasting less than two minutes, Vineet shared his story of overcoming challenges and how Atypical Advantage has been making a tangible impact. His powerful message that “nazariya (perspective) is more important than nazariya (eyesight)” resonated with the judges and viewers alike. Following the pitch, Vineet secured an offer of Rs 30 lakhs for 3% equity from investors Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta.
Support and Future Outlook
The overwhelming support Vineet received from the Shark Tank judges and audiences across the country continues to fuel his determination. As he moves forward with his mission, Vineet’s work through Atypical Advantage promises to continue breaking barriers and creating equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
उदित वाणी 
टेलीग्राम पर भी उपलब्ध है। यहां क्लिक करके आप सब्सक्राइब कर सकते हैं।