Top 10 Fintech Startups in India
The fintech landscape in India has seen exponential growth over the past few years, driven by a combination of technological advancements, increased internet penetration, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Here are the top 10 fintech startups in India, each making significant strides in transforming the financial sector.
1. Paytm
Overview:
Paytm, founded by Vijay Shekhar Sharma in 2010, started as a mobile recharge and utility payments platform and has now expanded into a comprehensive financial services ecosystem. It offers payments, banking, and financial services to consumers and merchants.
Founded in 2010 by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm started as a mobile recharge and utility payments platform. It has evolved into a comprehensive financial services ecosystem offering payments, banking, investment, and e-commerce services.
Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Mobile Wallet | Digital payments for various services |
| Paytm Payments Bank | Digital banking services |
| Paytm Money | Investment and wealth management |
| Paytm Mall | E-commerce platform |
| QR Code Payments | Payments via QR codes for merchants |
Achievements:
- Over 350 million users
- One of India’s leading digital wallets
- Multiple successful funding rounds
2. Razorpay
Overview:
Razorpay, founded by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar in 2014, is a leading payment gateway solution provider in India, enabling businesses to accept, process, and disburse payments with ease.
Founded in 2014 by Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar, Razorpay provides a leading payment gateway solution in India. It offers a range of services including online payment processing, neobanking, and business lending solutions.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Payment Gateway | Online payment processing |
| RazorpayX | Neobanking platform for businesses |
| Razorpay Capital | Lending solutions for businesses |
| Payment Pages | Customizable payment pages |
| Subscriptions | Recurring payment solutions |
Achievements:
- Over 8 million businesses using their services
- Backed by major investors like Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital
3. PhonePe
Overview:
PhonePe, founded by Sameer Nigam, Rahul Chari, and Burzin Engineer in 2015, is a UPI-based payments app that offers a wide range of financial services including bill payments, recharges, and investments.
Summary: Launched in 2015 by Sameer Nigam, Rahul Chari, and Burzin Engineer, PhonePe is a UPI-based payments app offering a variety of financial services like bill payments, recharges, and investments.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| UPI Payments | Unified Payments Interface transactions |
| PhonePe Wallet | Digital wallet for various transactions |
| Mutual Funds | Investment options through PhonePe Wealth |
| Gold Purchase | Digital gold investment |
| Bill Payments | Utility bill payments |
Achievements:
- Over 250 million registered users
- One of the largest UPI payment processors in India
4. PolicyBazaar
Overview:
PolicyBazaar, founded by Yashish Dahiya and Alok Bansal in 2008, is an online insurance aggregator and a marketplace for comparing and buying insurance policies.
Founded by Yashish Dahiya and Alok Bansal in 2008, PolicyBazaar is an online insurance aggregator that allows users to compare and buy insurance policies. It is a leading platform for insurance comparison and purchase in India.
Location: Gurugram, Haryana
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Insurance Comparison | Compare insurance policies from various providers |
| Health Insurance | Health insurance policies |
| Life Insurance | Life insurance policies |
| Car Insurance | Motor insurance policies |
| Investment Plans | Financial investment plans |
Achievements:
- Leading insurance aggregator in India
- Successfully went public with a strong IPO
5. Cred
Overview:
Cred, founded by Kunal Shah in 2018, is a platform that rewards users for paying their credit card bills on time. It also offers various other financial products and services.
Founded by Kunal Shah in 2018, Cred is a platform that rewards users for paying their credit card bills on time. It also offers personal loans, rent payments using credit cards, and a marketplace for premium products.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Credit Card Payments | Rewards for timely credit card bill payments |
| Cred RentPay | Pay rent using credit card |
| Personal Loans | Instant personal loans |
| Cred Store | Marketplace for premium products and services |
| Investment Options | High-yield investment options |
Achievements:
- Over 7.5 million users
- Valued at over $2 billion in recent funding rounds
6. BharatPe
Overview:
BharatPe, founded by Ashneer Grover and Shashvat Nakrani in 2018, provides a range of financial services to small and medium-sized businesses, including QR code-based payments and lending solutions.
Established in 2018 by Ashneer Grover and Shashvat Nakrani, BharatPe provides financial services to small and medium-sized businesses. Its offerings include QR code-based payments and lending solutions.
Location: New Delhi
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| QR Code Payments | Unified QR code for multiple payment apps |
| BharatSwipe | POS machine for card payments |
| Business Loans | Collateral-free loans for businesses |
| Bill Payments | Utility and business bill payments |
| Loyalty Programs | Customer loyalty and reward programs |
Achievements:
- Over 6 million merchants onboarded
- Significant growth in merchant payments and lending
7. Groww
Overview:
Groww, founded by Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal in 2016, is an online investment platform that allows users to invest in mutual funds, stocks, and other financial products.
Founded in 2016 by Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal, Groww is an online investment platform that allows users to invest in mutual funds, stocks, gold, and other financial products.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Mutual Funds | Investment in mutual funds |
| Stock Trading | Direct stock investments |
| Gold Investment | Digital gold investment |
| Fixed Deposits | Investment in fixed deposits |
| US Stocks | Investment in US-based stocks |
Achievements:
- Over 20 million users
- Valued at over $3 billion
8. Zerodha
Overview:
Zerodha, founded by Nithin Kamath in 2010, is a leading discount brokerage firm in India, offering low-cost trading services across various financial instruments.
Founded by Nithin Kamath in 2010, Zerodha is a leading discount brokerage firm in India. It offers low-cost trading services across various financial instruments, including equities, mutual funds, and commodities.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Equity trading with low brokerage fees |
| Mutual Funds | Investment in mutual funds |
| Commodity Trading | Trading in commodities |
| Currency Trading | Forex and currency derivatives trading |
| Bond Investment | Investment in government and corporate bonds |
Achievements:
- Largest retail stockbroker in India
- Pioneered the discount broking model in India
9. Pine Labs
Overview:
Pine Labs, founded by Lokvir Kapoor in 1998, provides merchant payment solutions, including point-of-sale (POS) machines and other financial services.
Founded by Lokvir Kapoor in 1998, Pine Labs provides merchant payment solutions such as point-of-sale (POS) machines and financial services including QR code payments and buy now, pay later options.
Location: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| POS Solutions | Point-of-sale machines for businesses |
| QR Code Payments | QR code-based payments |
| Buy Now Pay Later | Deferred payment solutions for consumers |
| Loyalty Programs | Customer loyalty management |
| Merchant Loans | Lending solutions for merchants |
Achievements:
- Over 150,000 merchants using their solutions
- Significant presence in Southeast Asia
10. Cashfree
Overview:
Cashfree, founded by Akash Sinha and Reeju Datta in 2015, is a leading payment and banking technology company that provides solutions for businesses to collect and disburse payments.
Established in 2015 by Akash Sinha and Reeju Datta, Cashfree is a payment and banking technology company offering solutions for businesses to collect and disburse payments, including payment gateways and bulk disbursement solutions.
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Key Services:
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Payment Gateway | Online payment collection |
| Payouts | Bulk disbursement solutions |
| Auto Collect | Automated payment collection |
| Instant Refunds | Quick refunds for e-commerce businesses |
| Vendor Payments | Automated vendor payment solutions |
Achievements:
- Serving over 100,000 businesses
- Strong growth in the payment processing sector
FAQs for Top 10 Fintech Startups in India
1. Paytm
Q: What services does Paytm offer?
A: Paytm offers a wide range of services including mobile wallet, payments, digital banking through Paytm Payments Bank, investments via Paytm Money, and e-commerce through Paytm Mall.
Q: How can I add money to my Paytm wallet?
A: You can add money to your Paytm wallet using debit/credit cards, net banking, UPI, or through a linked bank account.
Q: Is Paytm Payments Bank a real bank?
A: Yes, Paytm Payments Bank is a licensed payments bank offering services like savings accounts, fixed deposits, and money transfers.
Q: How can I contact Paytm customer support?
A: You can contact Paytm customer support through the Paytm app, their website, or by calling their helpline at 0120-4456-456.
2. Razorpay
Q: What is Razorpay?
A: Razorpay is a payment gateway solution provider that allows businesses to accept, process, and disburse payments online.
Q: How do I integrate Razorpay with my website?
A: You can integrate Razorpay with your website using their APIs and plugins, which are available for various platforms like WordPress, Magento, and Shopify.
Q: What are RazorpayX and Razorpay Capital?
A: RazorpayX is a neobanking platform for businesses, offering services like payroll automation and vendor payments. Razorpay Capital provides lending solutions such as working capital loans.
Q: How can I get support from Razorpay?
A: Razorpay offers support through their website, help center, and customer service team, which can be reached via email at support@razorpay.com.
3. PhonePe
Q: What is PhonePe?
A: PhonePe is a UPI-based payments app that offers a variety of financial services, including money transfers, bill payments, recharges, and investments.
Q: How can I link my bank account to PhonePe?
A: You can link your bank account to PhonePe by going to the ‘My Money’ section in the app, selecting ‘Bank Accounts’, and following the prompts to add your account.
Q: Is PhonePe safe to use?
A: Yes, PhonePe uses advanced security measures and encryption to protect user data and transactions, making it safe to use.
Q: How do I contact PhonePe customer care?
A: You can contact PhonePe customer care through the app under the ‘Help’ section or by visiting their support page on the PhonePe website.
4. PolicyBazaar
Q: What is PolicyBazaar?
A: PolicyBazaar is an online insurance aggregator that allows users to compare and purchase insurance policies from various providers.
Q: How can I compare insurance policies on PolicyBazaar?
A: You can compare insurance policies on PolicyBazaar by entering your details and requirements on their website or app, which will then display a comparison of available policies.
Q: Does PolicyBazaar charge for its services?
A: No, PolicyBazaar does not charge users for comparing and buying insurance policies through their platform.
Q: How can I contact PolicyBazaar customer support?
A: You can contact PolicyBazaar customer support via their helpline at 1800-208-8787 or through the live chat feature on their website.
5. Cred
Q: What is Cred?
A: Cred is a platform that rewards users for paying their credit card bills on time, offering various benefits and financial services.
Q: How do I join Cred?
A: You can join Cred by downloading the app and signing up with your mobile number. You’ll need a credit score of 750 or above to become a member.
Q: What rewards can I earn on Cred?
A: Cred offers rewards in the form of Cred Coins, which can be redeemed for various products, services, and experiences.
Q: How can I contact Cred customer support?
A: You can reach Cred customer support through the app under the ‘Help & Support’ section or by emailing support@cred.club.
6. BharatPe
Q: What is BharatPe?
A: BharatPe is a financial services company that provides QR code-based payments and lending solutions to small and medium-sized businesses.
Q: How can I start accepting payments with BharatPe?
A: You can start accepting payments with BharatPe by signing up on their app and generating a QR code to receive payments from various payment apps.
Q: What types of loans does BharatPe offer?
A: BharatPe offers collateral-free loans tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
Q: How do I contact BharatPe customer support?
A: You can contact BharatPe customer support via their helpline at 1800-123-6666 or through the support section on their app.
7. Groww
Q: What is Groww?
A: Groww is an online investment platform that allows users to invest in mutual funds, stocks, gold, and other financial products.
Q: How do I start investing with Groww?
A: To start investing with Groww, download the app, sign up with your details, complete the KYC process, and start investing in your preferred financial products.
Q: Is Groww safe for investing?
A: Yes, Groww uses advanced security measures and adheres to regulatory standards to ensure the safety of your investments.
Q: How can I contact Groww customer support?
A: You can reach Groww customer support through their app or website, or by emailing support@groww.in.
8. Zerodha
Q: What is Zerodha?
A: Zerodha is a leading discount brokerage firm offering low-cost trading services in equities, mutual funds, commodities, and other financial instruments.
Q: How can I open an account with Zerodha?
A: You can open an account with Zerodha by visiting their website, filling out the online application form, and completing the KYC process.
Q: What are the brokerage charges at Zerodha?
A: Zerodha offers a flat fee of Rs. 20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower, for intraday and F&O trades. Equity delivery is free.
Q: How can I contact Zerodha customer support?
A: You can contact Zerodha customer support through their website, by calling 080-4719-2020, or by emailing support@zerodha.com.
9. Pine Labs
Q: What is Pine Labs?
A: Pine Labs provides merchant payment solutions, including point-of-sale (POS) machines, QR code payments, and buy now, pay later options.
Q: How can I get a Pine Labs POS machine?
A: You can get a Pine Labs POS machine by contacting their sales team through their website or by calling their customer service.
Q: What is the buy now, pay later option by Pine Labs?
A: The buy now, pay later option allows customers to purchase goods and pay for them in installments, offering flexibility and convenience.
Q: How can I contact Pine Labs customer support?
A: You can contact Pine Labs customer support via their helpline at 0120-4033600 or through the support section on their website.
10. Cashfree
Q: What is Cashfree?
A: Cashfree is a payment and banking technology company offering solutions for businesses to collect and disburse payments, including payment gateways and bulk disbursement solutions.
Q: How do I integrate Cashfree with my website?
A: You can integrate Cashfree with your website using their APIs and SDKs available for various platforms, detailed in their developer documentation.
Q: What are Payouts by Cashfree?
A: Payouts by Cashfree is a bulk disbursement solution that allows businesses to transfer money to bank accounts, UPI IDs, and wallets instantly.
Q: How can I contact Cashfree customer support?
A: You can contact Cashfree customer support via their help center on the website or by emailing care@cashfree.com.
Conclusion
The fintech ecosystem in India is burgeoning, driven by innovative startups that are making financial services more accessible, efficient, and inclusive. Each of these top 10 fintech startups has carved a niche for itself, providing unique solutions to a wide range of customers and businesses, contributing significantly to the digital financial revolution in the country. As these companies continue to innovate and expand, the future of fintech in India looks exceedingly promising.
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