
Saarathi Finance, secures Rs 475 crores equity capital to enable formal credit to micro and nano businesses
Saarathi Finance
, a newly licensed Greenfield Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) dedicated to empowering India's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), has announced the successful closure of its inaugural funding round, raising a total of Rs 475 crores. The capital infusion will support Saarathi's mission to bridge the significant credit gap faced by MSMEs, particularly in underserved semi-urban and rural regions across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, underpinning the theme of inclusive growth for Bharat.
The funding round was led by prominent investors, including TVS Capital Funds,
Lok Capital
, Evolvence Equity Partners, Paragon Partners, and prominent angels collectively contributing about Rs 350 crores. Vivek Bansal, Founder and CEO, and
Sunil Daga
, Co-Founder, infused balance amount underscoring their commitment to the venture. The Series A investment values Saarathi Finance at over Rs 900 crores.
'We are committed to empowering Bharat's entrepreneurs by providing more than just credit – a partnership that values and supports their growth. This funding milestone enables us to accelerate our mission, ensuring every stakeholder, from entrepreneurs to investors, is valued and cared for in our journey. With heartfelt gratitude to our stakeholders, friends, and family, we embark on this exciting journey,' said Vivek Bansal, Founder and CEO, Saarathi Finance, in a statement.
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According to Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director, 'Saarathi Finance embodies the spirit of inclusive growth that aligns with our vision of supporting micro and nano businesses crucial to India's journey towards a $10 trillion economy. Their focus on MSMEs in underserved regions resonates with our commitment to empowering next-generation entrepreneurs who are the backbone of India's economic development.'
'We have been a part of the evolving secured micro- enterprise lending space for over a decade now, and see innovation and capital emerging as serious moats. We are excited to partner with Saarathi as the next generation of market leaders in this space,' said Rajat Bansal, Managing Director, Lok Capital.
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Saarathi Finance's approach combines technology-driven solutions with personalized customer engagement, offering both secured and unsecured loans tailored to the unique needs of MSMEs. The company's emphasis on flexible income assessment and rapid loan processing aims to make credit more accessible to entrepreneurs who have traditionally been overlooked by formal financial institutions.
'We are strong believers in Saarathi's mission to bridge the large credit gap for underbanked MSMEs in India. With an exceptional founding team and the right capital support, Saarathi is well positioned to build a high-quality, enduring lending franchise. We're excited to partner with them on this journey,' Abhishek Chandra, Partner, Evolvence Equity Partners said.
'We are thrilled to partner with Saarathi Finance at the very start of their journey, as they address the significant unmet demand for credit among India's MSMEs. With Vivek Bansal's proven leadership at InCred and Sunil Daga's deep experience in secured lending at Kotak Bank, Saarathi has built a high-calibre team poised to drive financial inclusion. We are bullish on the MSME secured LAP segment and believe Saarathi is uniquely positioned to unlock its vast potential in India,' said Siddharth Parekh, Senior Partner and Co-Founder, Paragon Partners.

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