
Razorpay invests $30 million into consumer payments startup Pop
ETtech (L-R) Harshil Mathur, Shashank Kumar, cofounders, Razorpay
Pop, a consumer payment platform, has raised $30 million from payments solutions company Razorpay. This investment will go towards solving two of India's most pressing challenges in digital commerce: rising customer acquisition costs (CAC) for merchants and the lack of meaningful rewards for consumers.The company operates a rewards-first UPI payments app that merges payments, commerce, and credit into one experience. It has previously raised funding from several marquee investors, including India Quotient, Unilever Ventures, Incubate Fund, and Nuventures."India doesn't need another cashback-only rewards app. What we need is a new rewards economy built on a long-term purpose. Popcoins are designed to build habits, increase retention, and reduce CAC for merchants — all while making payments more rewarding for the end user,' said Bhargav Errangi, Founder of Pop. 'With Razorpay's support, we will double down on our mission to bring a loyalty-first payments ecosystem that will help businesses scale with purpose, speed, and impact.'Pop will use the funding to strengthen product innovation, enhance the value proposition for consumers via Popcoins-led rewards, and build deeper merchant partnerships across D2C and lifestyle categories.
Since launching its UPI platform last June, Pop has scaled to over six lakh daily UPI transactions, crossed one million unique monthly active transactors, fulfilled two lakh monthly commerce shipments and issued 40,000 RuPay credit cards in a co-branded partnership with Yes Bank.
The investment expands Razorpay's footprint beyond payments into the broader ecosystem of loyalty, engagement, and commerce enablement. The company believes that while checkout journeys have been digitized, most merchants still lack easy-to-use tools that incentivize repeat purchases, drive real-time engagement, and convert casual visitors into loyal customers. Pop solves this by building a multi-brand rewards currency in the form of Pop Coins, in the company's view.
'Our investment in Pop is driven by a clear purpose and that is to serve D2C merchants better. In today's crowded D2C space, brands need more than just payment solutions; they need tools to earn trust, drive repeat purchases, and build real loyalty,' said Harshil Mathur, co-founder and CEO of Razorpay. 'Pop bridges that gap by combining instant rewards, seamless payments, and brand discovery in one platform. It's a powerful way for businesses to turn everyday transactions into lasting customer relationships."This investment in Pop complements Razorpay's earlier acquisition of PoshVine, a loyalty and rewards management platform, which laid the foundation for Razorpay Engage, touted as India's 'first full-stack intelligent marketing growth suite'.According to a recent Consumer Spending Report by Upside, over 90% of digital consumers consider rewards and loyalty while making purchase decisions. With India's D2C market expected to surpass $100 billion by 2026, the pressure on brands to create sticky, rewarding customer experiences has never been greater.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
OnePlus under scanner; Razorpay invests in Pop
OnePlus under scanner; Razorpay invests in Pop Also in the letter: OnePlus India audit flags glitches, PF payment lags Driving the news: Hosting its accounting software and maintaining financial records on physical servers outside India, in Dongguan, China. Using software with programming code in a foreign language, which auditors found difficult to review and verify. Delays in depositing employee provident fund contributions. The other side: Rival watch: Razorpay invests $30 million into consumer payments startup Pop Deal details: ET had reported on February 18 that Pop was in talks with Razorpay for a potential investment. The startup operates a rewards-first Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments app, designed to build loyalty in a competitive market. With the new capital, Pop plans to double down on product innovation and build deeper partnerships with merchants, particularly across direct-to-consumer (D2C) platforms. Yes, and: Fintech startup Saswat Finance raises $2.6 million: OpenAI executives have discussed accusing Microsoft of anticompetitive behaviour: Report Driving the news: The report added that OpenAI may push for a federal review of its contract with Microsoft over potential antitrust violations. It is also mulling a public campaign to highlight its concerns. Such a move could strain one of the most important alliances in the AI industry. At the same time, OpenAI still requires Microsoft's sign-off to complete its transition to a public-benefit corporation. However, sources said that talks between the two sides have stalled for months without a resolution. Also Read: Yes, but: Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019 to help develop AI tools on its Azure cloud platform. Since then, OpenAI has been trying to reduce its reliance on Microsoft and is looking to onboard Google Cloud to meet growing compute demands. Meanwhile, Microsoft is also moving towards greater independence. It has started integrating internal and third-party AI models into Microsoft 365 Copilot, which currently leans heavily on OpenAI's technology. OpenAI wins $200 million US defence contract: Details: Game on: Phonemakers tap eSports to woo young Indians Current state: India is home to nearly 450 million mobile gamers, a number expected to surge to 720 million by 2028, according to Krafton India, the publisher of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). The widespread availability of affordable smartphones and low-cost data plans is fueling this rapid growth. Brands are now capitalising on this momentum to push device sales. Expert take: Tell me more: (AI)gorithm turns recruiter Talent shopping: At HCLTech and Wipro, AI is actively involved in shortlisting and interviewing around 55,000 candidates for entry- and mid-level positions. Infosys CHRO Shaji Mathew said the company has integrated AI across its entire HR workflow, from hiring to retirement. Wipro COO Sanjeev Jain added that AI tools are used throughout the hiring journey – from scanning CVs and conducting first-level interviews to assessing communication skills and verifying backgrounds. Expert take: Also Read: The auditor of smartphone maker OnePlus Technology India has flagged issues with its bookkeeping processes. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.■ OpenAI and Microsoft's troubles■ Phonemakers woo young gamers■ AI turns recruiterThe statutory auditor of OnePlus Technology India has flagged several concerns with the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, including regulatory action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax issues raised in the audit include:Shah & Jain Chartered Accountants serve as the statutory auditor, while Grant Thornton Bharat is the internal a regulatory filing, OnePlus said it is in the process of upgrading its IT systems. It added that it has initiated payments for the outstanding provident fund dues for FY2023–24 and has deposited an amount against disputed corporate income tax remains under the ED scrutiny for alleged financial irregularities under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).Other Chinese smartphone firms, including Oppo India and Realme India, are facing similar scrutiny . Their auditors have raised red flags over gaps in bookkeeping, internal processes, and incomplete firms have come under sustained pressure in India over the past four to five years, as authorities continue to allege violations involving customs duties, tax evasion, and money laundering.(L-R) Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar, cofounders, RazorpayConsumer payments platform Pop has secured $30 million in funding from fintech major Razorpay, as it looks to tackle rising customer acquisition costs for merchants and boost rewards for in June last year, Pop has already crossed one million monthly active users and facilitates over six lakh daily UPI transactions. In partnership with Yes Bank, it has also issued more than 40,000 RuPay credit Razorpay, this marks a deeper push into loyalty and commerce enablement. The company had earlier acquired PoshVine , another loyalty and rewards platform. The Pop investment leans into that and CEO Harshil Mathur stated that the Pop deal is designed to serve D2C merchants better. 'In today's crowded D2C space, brands need more than just payment solutions; they need tools to earn trust, drive repeat purchases, and build real loyalty,' he said.(L-R) Indrajyoti Bhattacharjee, Ravi Ranjan Chaudhary (above), Arun Tiwari, Rahul Nischal, cofounders, Saswat FinanceRural India-focused fintech startup Saswat Finance has raised $2.6 million in a funding round led by early-stage investor Ankur Capital, with participation from existing backer Incubate Fund Mumbai-based startup will use the capital to expand its technology stack, launch new financial products, and scale operations across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. The funding will also support investments in data and analytics to sharpen its executives have considered accusing key backer Microsoft of anticompetitive conduct in their partnership, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the a separate development, OpenAI has won a $200 million contract to provide artificial intelligence (AI) tools to the US Department of Defence, the Pentagon confirmed on project will be executed in and around Washington and is scheduled for completion by July 2026, according to the manufacturers are turning to India's booming eSports sector to boost visibility and drive sales amid a slowdown in the wider such as OnePlus, Realme, iQOO, and Infinix are actively sponsoring top-tier mobile gaming tournaments. They are also partnering with prominent eSports squads as part of a core marketing play, recognising the growing influence of mobile gaming on young Indian consumers, industry experts shipments in India fell by 5.5% year-on-year in the March quarter, with 32 million units shipped, according to IDC. In response, both smartphone brands and telecom operators are doubling down on eSports sponsorships, ensuring their devices are featured prominently during gameplay and intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for boosting employee productivity – it's now central to how recruiters identify the right talent . With IT firms hiring tens of thousands each year, AI handles 70–80% of the initial screening Sharma, CEO of Teamlease Digital, said that recruiters are saving up to 23 hours a week thanks to AI-driven efficiencies.

Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Google flags over 500 million scam messages monthly as cybercrime soars in India
Google has introduced its Safety Charter for India, outlining how it is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle a surge in cybercrime across the country. The announcement comes as India's digital economy continues to expand, prompting growing concerns around user safety and online fraud. In a blog post, the US-based technology firm revealed that it is integrating AI tools across its services to detect, prevent, and remove security threats in both consumer and enterprise products. The move also includes wider collaborations with government initiatives to enhance cyber awareness and protection. You may be interested in Citing a recent report, Google stated that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) related frauds led to losses exceeding ₹ 1,087 crore in 2024. Total financial damages attributed to cybercrime in India were estimated to reach ₹ 20,000 crore in 2025. The company warned that cybercriminals are increasingly using advanced AI tools to perpetrate scams, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and fabricated digital content. In response, Google said it is integrating its internal security frameworks with the government's DigiKavach programme and has partnered with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to roll out public awareness campaigns in a phased manner. As part of its enforcement measures, Google claimed to have removed 247 million advertisements and suspended 2.9 million accounts for policy violations. These efforts include compliance with local and national regulations. In its search engine operations, Google said AI is being used to block around 20 times more fraudulent webpages before they reach users. The company also reported a significant decline in fake websites mimicking customer support services and government portals, down by over 80 per cent and 70 per cent respectively. Google Messages has incorporated a new AI-based scam detection tool, which the company claims is flagging more than 500 million suspicious messages monthly. It also issues alerts when users interact with links from unknown senders, with over 2.5 billion warnings triggered to date. The Safety Charter forms part of Google's broader strategy to confront evolving digital threats, particularly as malicious actors leverage emerging technologies to bypass traditional defences.


Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Digital Rupee vs Crypto: What the debate misses about the future of money
When the debate gets wrong The Digital Rupee is a sovereign, state-backed currency that retains all the regulatory control of fiat, with some of the benefits of digital settlement—speed, transparency, and auditabilit. Crypto, especially stablecoins and DeFi protocols, represents open, global finance—designed to reduce reliance on intermediaries, enable 24/7 global settlement, and allow innovation at the edges. Live Events Whether it's a CBDC or a stablecoin, the average Indian citizen wants: Instant settlement Low transaction fees Universal acceptance Interoperability across borders Clear privacy and control over their funds Google Pay PhonePe (majority owned by Walmart) Paytm (with large foreign ownership) India needs a strategic payments agenda To avoid this, India must learn from UPI's journey: Create favorable policies and early access for Indian startups to build on top of the Digital Rupee. Ensure neutral interoperability layers so no single app dominates wallet access or merchant onboarding. Offer incentives and sandboxes for fintechs and Web3 startups to create novel CBDC use cases in sectors like trade, MSME finance, insurance, and mobility. Consider public-private models where infrastructure remains open but innovation is encouraged locally. It's not Crypto vs CBDC. It's about empowering Indians A Digital Rupee that settles instantly, works offline, and integrates with UPI? Excellent. A crypto wallet that lets an Indian freelancer receive USD-stablecoins from a US client and cash out into INR at low cost? Also excellent. (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel India is in the midst of a silent revolution in money. On one hand, we have the Digital Rupee , the Reserve Bank of India 's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and on the other, the rapidly growing world of crypto-assets and stablecoins operating on public are vying to redefine how value is transferred in the digital age. And yet, the ongoing debate—often framed as CBDC vs Crypto—misses the point entirely. Because the real question is not about which technology wins, but who benefits from discourse often pits the Digital Rupee and crypto against each other—as if they are fundamentally incompatible. The truth is, both are programmable forms of digital money, designed for different purposes, but potentially coexisting in the same future financial focusing only on the instruments is missing the forest for the trees. What matters most is the end user's the user, convenience is kingIf the Digital Rupee delivers this, it wins. If crypto and stablecoins can do it better, they will continue gaining ground—especially among tech-savvy users, freelancers, SMEs, and far, Digital Rupee usage is modest—with just 19 banks live and around 100,000 daily transactions reported in mid-2024. By comparison, UPI clocks 350 million+ transactions a day, and stablecoins globally settled over $7 trillion in bigger problem: Not who builds it, but who controls itLet's zoom out. India built UPI—arguably the most successful public payments infrastructure in the world. But despite being a product of NPCI (a quasi-government entity), UPI adoption is now dominated by three major apps:Together, these three control over 94% of UPI transaction while UPI is Indian in origin, the monetization, data leverage, and platform control rests in the hands of foreign-backed companies. Indian startups in the payments space face high entry barriers, and the market has become increasingly difficult to penetrate due to high compliance, capital, and branding India repeats the same model with the Digital Rupee—where state infrastructure is handed over to foreign-led platforms for distribution—we will be building Indian rails for global profits, all, payments aren't just a technical tool—they are an instrument of economic sovereignty . And whoever controls the interface to money, controls much more than just the end of the day, the user doesn't care whether their money comes from a central bank node or a smart contract. They care about speed, cost, and key is not to fixate on the rails, but to ensure that the value stays in India, and Indian entrepreneurs are not locked out of building the future. Because if we don't, we risk creating another UPI story—built by India, but controlled by others. And that's a mistake we can't afford to make twice.(The author, Aishwary Gupta is the Global Head of Payments & Real World Assets at Polygon Labs): Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)