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Edubuk: Apoorva & Shivani Bajaj’s AI-Blockchain War on Fake Credentials

Reported by Indianstartuptimes
May 18, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Edubuk secured $50 million in strategic funding from Nimbus Capital, marking a significant milestone for a blockchain startup from India's non-metro ecosystem (based in Lucknow).
  • • The startup has completed 100,000+ credential verifications to date and operates dual platforms: TruCV (blockchain-powered tamper-proof digital credentials) and TruJobs (AI-driven smart hiring with verified talent).
  • • Edubuk co-founders Apoorva Bajaj and Shivani Malhotra are targeting a $3 trillion addressable market by addressing credential fraud and inefficient hiring processes across global markets.
  • • The company plans geographic expansion into Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa, with planned token launch ($EBUK) based on a "Verify to Earn" model.
  • • Edubuk has secured third-party validation through partnerships with Concordium for blockchain eSeal solutions and approval from India's National Skill Development Council (NSDC) for No-Code AI and Emerging Technologies courses.
Summary
Edubuk, an AI and blockchain startup founded by Apoorva Bajaj and Shivani Malhotra, has secured a $50 million strategic investment from Nimbus Capital, positioning itself as a significant player in the global credential verification market. The funding announcement, dated March 24, 2026, represents one of the largest capital raises for a blockchain company headquartered outside India's primary metropolitan centers, with Edubuk based in Lucknow. The capital injection underscores investor confidence in the company's mission to eliminate fraud in academic credentials and hiring processes.

The startup operates two core product lines addressing distinct market pain points. TruCV delivers blockchain-powered, tamper-proof digital credentials designed to prevent document forgery, while TruJobs leverages AI-driven algorithms to match employers with verified talent, streamlining the hiring process. To date, Edubuk has completed over 100,000 credential verifications, establishing operational proof-of-concept in a market where credential fraud and inefficient recruitment processes create substantial friction costs for employers and educational institutions globally.

Edubuk's go-to-market strategy extends beyond technology deployment to include strategic partnerships and regulatory validation. The company partnered with Concordium to strengthen blockchain-based eSeal solutions for academic credentials, while securing approval from India's National Skill Development Council (NSDC) for its No-Code AI and Emerging Technologies Skilling Courses. These partnerships and certifications build credibility with both institutional clients and regulatory authorities across target markets.

The company has outlined an ambitious expansion roadmap spanning India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. A planned token launch ($EBUK) built on the Verify to Earn protocol indicates Edubuk's intention to introduce incentive mechanisms for credential verification and platform adoption. The $50 million funding provides capital to execute this geographic and product expansion strategy, positioning Edubuk to capture market share in an estimated $3 trillion addressable market encompassing global hiring, education verification, and talent matching services.

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Sources

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AlphaMaven summarised this story from the reporting below. Each link opens the original article.

Indianstartuptimes Edubuk: Apoorva & Shivani Bajaj’s AI-Blockchain War on Fake Credentials