Latest news with #MobiKwik
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
She means business
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE She doesn't shout. She builds. Not with fanfare, but with fire—quiet, deliberate, relentless. In the thrum of India's crowded bazaars and the glow of laptop screens in rural co-ops, a silent revolution is scripting the next chapter of the Indian economy. It's led by women who aren't just running enterprises—they're rewriting the very grammar of growth. In 2025, as boardrooms, bylanes, and balance sheets all start to reflect her imprint, the question is no longer whether she belongs—but whether the economy can grow without her. This isn't just inclusion. This is power redefined. India's economic narrative is undergoing a transformative shift, with women-led enterprises emerging as pivotal contributors to the nation's growth. As of 2025, women own approximately 2.2 crore micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), constituting about 32% of the total MSMEs in the country. These enterprises not only bolster economic development but also play a crucial role in employment generation, providing jobs to an estimated 22 to 27 million individuals. India's entrepreneurial landscape is enriched by the contributions of pioneering women whose ventures continue to inspire and expand in 2025: Falguni Nayar (Nykaa): By 2025, Nykaa continues expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities, redefining omnichannel retail in India and supporting thousands of women-led resellers through its affiliate ecosystem. By 2025, Nykaa continues expanding into Tier 2 and 3 cities, redefining omnichannel retail in India and supporting thousands of women-led resellers through its affiliate ecosystem. Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth): Mamaearth's toxin-free beauty and baby care products have not only dominated the Indian market but are also witnessing increasing traction in Southeast Asia. Mamaearth's toxin-free beauty and baby care products have not only dominated the Indian market but are also witnessing increasing traction in Southeast Asia. Vineeta Singh (SUGAR Cosmetics): Singh's brand continues to redefine inclusivity in Indian beauty standards, with its Shark Tank influence seeding new women-led startups. Singh's brand continues to redefine inclusivity in Indian beauty standards, with its Shark Tank influence seeding new women-led startups. Upasana Taku (MobiKwik): Taku's fintech innovation is fostering inclusive finance for underbanked women, with MobiKwik expanding its micro-loan offerings in 2025. Taku's fintech innovation is fostering inclusive finance for underbanked women, with MobiKwik expanding its micro-loan offerings in 2025. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Biocon): As a beacon in biotech, Shaw's focus in 2025 includes AI-powered diagnostic tools addressing women-specific health conditions. There are numerous such examples. The significance of women entrepreneurs extends beyond mere statistics. Research indicates that accelerating women's entrepreneurship could lead to the creation of over 30 million women-owned enterprises, potentially generating 150 to 170 million jobs. Such expansion is not only vital for economic diversification but also essential for achieving inclusive growth. Moreover, women-led MSMEs often exhibit higher profit margins and lower non-performing assets compared to their male counterparts, underscoring their financial prudence and resilience. New policies in 2025 are strengthening the ecosystem for women-led enterprises: Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme (SIDBI): Offers up to ₹10 lakh in financial aid, now extended to green businesses and gig-economy startups led by women. Offers up to ₹10 lakh in financial aid, now extended to green businesses and gig-economy startups led by women. Mahila E-Haat: This digital portal now includes integrated payment gateways and logistics partnerships to boost rural-to-urban market access. This digital portal now includes integrated payment gateways and logistics partnerships to boost rural-to-urban market access. Udyogini Scheme: The 2025 budget increases its coverage by 35%, especially benefiting women in Tier 3 towns and semi-rural regions. The 2025 budget increases its coverage by 35%, especially benefiting women in Tier 3 towns and semi-rural regions. Skill India for women: With new curricula on digital tax compliance, social media marketing, and AI tools, the 2025 rollouts now include startup incubation for trained women graduates. Recognizing the potential of women entrepreneurs, the Indian government has implemented several initiatives: Stand-Up India Scheme: Launched in 2016, this scheme provides bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women entrepreneurs for setting up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, or the trading sector. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE): This initiative offers collateral-free credit to women-led MSEs, with an 85% guarantee cover for loans up to ₹5 lakh, thereby mitigating credit risk for lenders. PM SVANidhi Yojana: As of December 2024, this scheme has provided working capital loans worth ₹5,939.7 crore to 30.6 lakh women street vendors, facilitating their economic empowerment. Despite these initiatives, access to credit remains a significant hurdle. Many women entrepreneurs are either unaware of available financial products or face challenges in meeting eligibility criteria due to lack of collateral or formal credit history. To address this, fintech companies like Kinara Capital have introduced programs such as 'HerVikas,' offering collateral-free business loans tailored for women entrepreneurs. By leveraging technology and alternative credit assessment models, these initiatives aim to bridge the financing gap and promote financial inclusion. As of 2025, Indian women entrepreneurs are spearheading growth in innovative and impactful sectors: FemTech and health innovation: Startups in reproductive health and AI-enabled diagnostics are scaling rapidly. Women-led platforms now serve over 15 million users with localized care. Startups in reproductive health and AI-enabled diagnostics are scaling rapidly. Women-led platforms now serve over 15 million users with localized care. Eco-entrepreneurship: From sustainable fashion brands like Bunavat to agri-tech innovators like Spudnik Farms, women are at the forefront of green enterprise. From sustainable fashion brands like Bunavat to agri-tech innovators like Spudnik Farms, women are at the forefront of green enterprise. Handicrafts and fair trade: Artisanal ventures like Geetanjali Crafts are empowering thousands of rural women through online marketplaces and heritage revival projects. Artisanal ventures like Geetanjali Crafts are empowering thousands of rural women through online marketplaces and heritage revival projects. Digital education & skill development: Women-founded edtech platforms are transforming skilling for rural girls and homemakers, with a sharp rise in coding bootcamps and finance literacy programs for women. Women-founded edtech platforms are transforming skilling for rural girls and homemakers, with a sharp rise in coding bootcamps and finance literacy programs for women. Hospitality and food innovation: Across India, SHG-run kitchens and cloud-based delivery models are not just providing nutrition but also economic upliftment for low-income women. Beyond financial schemes, grassroots organizations play a pivotal role in nurturing women entrepreneurs: Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA): Established in 1972, SEWA has been instrumental in organizing women workers in the informal sector, providing them with access to financial services, training, and advocacy. Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP): Founded in 1998, SSP focuses on empowering rural women through entrepreneurship in sectors like agriculture, health, and clean energy, promoting sustainable livelihoods. SmartShree initiative: A collaboration between IIM Kozhikode and Kudumbashree Mission, this project aims to support and scale 150 women-led micro-enterprises in Kerala through capacity building and mentorship. While notable gains have been made, several hurdles persist for women-led businesses: Access to capital: Despite increased funding avenues, only 27% of women-led startups receive Series A or later stage funding as of 2025. Tailored VC pipelines and women-focused accelerators are helping bridge this gap. Despite increased funding avenues, only 27% of women-led startups receive Series A or later stage funding as of 2025. Tailored VC pipelines and women-focused accelerators are helping bridge this gap. Work-life constraints: Flexible working ecosystems and access to childcare subsidies under the PM-Women@Work initiative launched in 2025 are helping more mothers remain active entrepreneurs. Flexible working ecosystems and access to childcare subsidies under the PM-Women@Work initiative launched in 2025 are helping more mothers remain active entrepreneurs. Societal expectations: Awareness campaigns like #EqualByRight run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development are changing public attitudes towards women business owners. While progress has been notable, challenges persist. Cultural norms, limited access to markets, and digital illiteracy continue to impede the growth of women-led enterprises. Addressing these requires a multifaceted approach: Enhanced financial literacy: Implementing targeted financial education programs can empower women to make informed decisions and navigate the financial ecosystem effectively. Digital inclusion: Promoting digital literacy and access to technology is crucial for women entrepreneurs to leverage online platforms for marketing, sales, and networking. Policy reforms: Continuous evaluation and refinement of existing policies, ensuring they are responsive to the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, will be essential. Women-led enterprises are not just participants but are becoming architects of India's economic resurgence. By fostering an enabling environment that addresses financial, educational, and societal barriers, India can unlock the full potential of its women entrepreneurs, propelling the nation towards inclusive and sustainable growth. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
India Ranks Second Globally in Funding for Women-Led Tech Startups
A Thriving Ecosystem As of 2025, India is home to over 7,000 active women-led startups, representing around 7.5% of all startups in the country. While this percentage may appear modest, the funding figures tell a more encouraging story. The year 2021 proved to be a landmark year for women-led startups in India, with funding peaking at $6.3 billion. Bengaluru Leads the Charge Among Indian cities, Bengaluru stands out as the clear leader—not only in terms of the number of women-led startups but also the total funding raised. Mumbai and Delhi NCR follow closely, reflecting the emergence of robust startup ecosystems in these metro areas. Unicorn Highs and Lows IPOs and Acquisitions Five women-led startups successfully went public in 2024—MobiKwik, Usha Financial, Tunwal, Interiors & More, and LawSikho. However, acquisitions have seen a noticeable decline. From 45 in 2021, the number dropped to 16 in 2024, suggesting a need for more robust exit opportunities and industry confidence. India on the Global Stage Sectors Powering the Growth Retail leads the pack as the most funded sector for women entrepreneurs, with $7.8 billion raised. Edtech follows at $5.4 billion, and enterprise technology at $5 billion. B2C e-commerce, internet-first brands, and fashion tech are also gaining momentum, signalling a healthy diversification across industries. Women at the Helm of Change Prominent women-led startups like Zomato ($1.7 billion in funding), Pine Labs, and Lenskart ($1 billion each) have proven that women-led companies can scale significantly and go public. Others like OfBusiness, and ACKO are making waves in sectors such as B2B commerce, health tech, and insurtech. Read More Thierry Bolloré joins About:Energy's Board of Directors Ventures like LivSpace, Amagi, Table Space, and The Good Glamm Group are pushing the envelope in proptech, SaaS, and digital-first consumer brands—sectors that are shaping the future of business and lifestyle in India. The Road Ahead While women-led startups have made remarkable progress, the road ahead calls for greater ecosystem support. Addressing funding disparities, creating more inclusive mentorship channels, and celebrating success stories can inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Listed fintechs feel the pinch of lenders going slow on unsecured lending
Live Events ETtech A slowdown in unsecured loan disbursals by banks and non-banking finance companies ( NBFCs ) has impacted the financials of listed new-generation fintech firms like Paytm MobiKwik and PB Fintech-run fintechs—which source loans through digital channels for their lending partners—have shifted their focus to secured lending and/or their core payments business to make up for a slowdown in their disbursals of unsecured consumer loans in the financial year 97 Communications, which runs Paytm , reported a 19% quarter-on-quarter fall in its unsecured loan disbursals in the March quarter at Rs 1,422 crore from Rs 1,746 crore in the December the fintech major made up for this slowdown by sprucing up its merchant loan offerings, its revenue growth from the financial services business was much slower this year, rising 9.7% to Rs 1,688 crore in FY25 from Rs 1,538 crore a year FY22 and FY23, the revenue from this business had grown 48% from Rs 1,034 crore.'Personal loan wise, we are moving more and more towards a pure distribution model where lenders pick up their own collection obligations, so to say,' Vijay Shekhar Sharma, chief executive officer of Paytm, said during the analyst call after its FY25 said the company 'will not see much larger growth' in personal credit 'unless something bigger changes.'Similarly, Gurgaon-based MobiKwik saw its share of revenue from financial services fall 28% to Rs 402 crore in FY25 from Rs 558 crore in the previous startup also stopped its buy-now-pay-later Zip Loan product. Instead, MobiKwik said it is enabling more customers to convert their purchases into EMI payments, through Zip EMI. This resulted in the overall disbursal of such loans falling 41% to Rs 5,358 crore in FY25 compared to Rs 9,093 crore a year said its revenue share for loan disbursals went up to 7.5% from 6.4% a year back, driven by better arrangements with its partner lenders.'Large financial institutions (FIs) these days are primarily using fintechs for their tech products which aid in their loan management and processes, and less for loan sourcing by fintechs,' said Siddharth Goel, director, non-banking financial institutions, at Fitch Ratings.'The risk averseness to external underwriting is contributing to that. This also comes from the RBI's nudge to FIs to depend on their own underwriting and less on underwriting by their partner fintechs,' he added.A similar impact has played out for Paisabazaar, which is a credit marketplace . One of its key products, credit cards, have seen a major disbursement slowdown this year . In FY2025, the number of credit cards sourced by the platform stood at 517,000, down from 583,000 in FY2025. The Gurgaon-based company, which is a sister concern of insurance marketplace Policybazaar, said that the unsecured loan business actually shrunk by 2% in the December quarter compared to 7% growth in the September and NBFCs are offering their partners limited elbow room to innovate, thereby restricting them mostly to being sourcing channels. Fintechs have also been pushed to adopt the Digital Lending Guidelines (DLG) prescribed by the banking regulator, resulting in tightening of their revenue channels.'As for FY26, large NBFCs should continue to grow in various segments though growth rates from unsecured segments will be lower than what were seen in recent years,' Goel of Fitch Ratings said.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Fintech firm MobiKwik reports wider loss of Rs 56 crore in Q4
New Delhi: Fintech company MobiKwik has reported a wider consolidated loss of Rs 56.03 crore in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024–25 (Q4 FY25), compared to a small loss of just Rs 67 lakh in the same quarter last fiscal (Q4 FY24). The company's loss also increased from Rs 55.2 crore in the previous quarter (Q3 FY25), according to its stock exchange filing. For the full financial year FY25, MobiKwik recorded a loss of Rs 121.5 crore. This is a major setback for the Gurugram-based firm, which had posted a profit of Rs 14 crore in the previous fiscal year (FY24). MobiKwik's revenue from operations in Q4 saw a slight year-on-year (YoY) growth of 1.43 per cent, rising to Rs 267.78 crore from Rs 264.98 crore in Q4 FY24. However, compared to the previous quarter, the revenue slipped by 0.6 per cent from Rs 269.47 crore. On an annual basis, the company's revenue saw a solid 33.9 per cent growth, climbing to Rs 1,192.49 crore in FY25 from Rs 890.31 crore in FY24. The company's expenses continued to rise sharply. In Q4, total expenses rose by 22 per cent YoY to Rs 324.28 crore, up from Rs 265.70 crore in a year-ago period. Sequentially, expenses also went up by 2.2 per cent from Rs 317.14 crore in Q3. For the full year, expenses surged by 49 per cent to Rs 1,271.88 crore in FY25, compared to Rs 853.09 crore in FY24. A major part of the spending came from payment gateway costs, which stood at Rs 147.05 crore in Q4. This accounted for over 45 per cent of the company's total quarterly expenditure. Despite the widening losses, MobiKwik continued to grow its user and merchant base. The company recorded 176.4 million users by the end of FY25, adding 4.4 million new customers in the fourth quarter alone. Over the full year, 20.6 million users joined the platform. On the merchant side, MobiKwik had 4.59 million merchants, with 76,000 added in Q4FY25 and 0.53 million throughout FY25. Commenting on the performance, Upasana Taku, Executive Director, Co-founder and CFO of One MobiKwik Systems, said that the payments business showed remarkable strength, growing threefold YoY. She also highlighted that the company will focus on leveraging AI in the coming year to drive revenue growth and improve margins through intelligent automation. MobiKwik shares were trading at Rs 277.3 on Tuesday, down by Rs 1.65 or 0.59 per cent on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Q4 results: MobiKwik suffers Rs 56.03 cr loss, ops revenue up marginally
Fintech firm MobiKwik reported a wider consolidated loss of Rs 56.03 crore in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024-25 (Q4FY25), compared to Rs 67 lakh in Q4FY24. The company's loss rose from Rs 55.2 crore in Q3FY25. For the full FY25, the Gurugram-based company recorded a loss of Rs 121.5 crore, as compared to a profit of Rs 14 crore in FY24. MobiKwik's revenue from operations grew by 1.43 per cent to Rs 267.78 crore in Q4FY25 from Rs 264.98 crore in Q4FY24. Sequentially, operational revenue slipped marginally by 0.6 per cent from Rs 269.47 crore in Q3FY25. However, revenue from operations for the fintech company grew 33.9 per cent for the entire FY25 to Rs 1,192.49 crore from Rs 890.31 in the previous financial year. The company's expenses rose 22 per cent on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis from Rs 265.70 crore in Q4FY24 to Rs 324.28 crore in Q4FY25. Sequentially, expenses grew 2.2 per cent from Rs 317.14 crore in Q3FY25. Expenses were recorded at Rs 1271.88 crore for the entire FY25, a 49 per cent increase from Rs 853.09 crore in FY24. Payment gateway costs were the largest contributor to the company's expenditure. In Q4FY25, these expenses accounted for Rs 147.05 crore, comprising 45.3 per cent of the company's total expenditure. The company's use base was recorded at 176.4 million customers. It added 4.4 million new customers in Q4FY25. In FY25, the company added 20.6 million new users. MobiKwik has 4.59 million merchants with the company taking on board 76,000 new merchants in the fourth quarter. In FY25, it added 0.53 million new merchants in total. 'Our payments business has shown remarkable strength, growing threefold year-on-year. Our focus for this year will be to leverage AI as a growth catalyst - to accelerate go-to-market, drive revenue growth, and expand margins through intelligent automation,' said Upasana Taku, executive director, co-founder and chief financial officer (CFO), One MobiKwik Systems.
