A story of four “monks” using private commissioned blockchain technology to improve accountability in a registered chit fund and how they are impacted by COVID-19

India is home to 146 million farmers, 86% of which are small and marginal farmers. Although agriculture is a key economic activity in India and employs almost 55% of the population, access to finance remains a challenge for most farmers, especially the small and marginal ones.

This blog covers the diverse strategies of FinTechs both big and small to adapt to the situation and overcome the challenges brought forth by the pandemic.

This blog covers the challenges and opportunities born from the COVID-19 pandemic, for both small and established FinTechs, particularly in the emerging markets. It sets the stage for part two, where we discuss how these FinTechs face these unprecedented challenges.

This blog tells about an Edutech that is bridging the gap between skills and job readiness of India’s IT graduates from remote towns. The story also uncovers how GUVI has been navigating successfully through the COVID-19 crisis.

About a year back in August 2018, MSC collaborated with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship to start the journey of Financial Inclusion Lab. The Lab currently receives support from the J.P. Morgan, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and the Omidyar Network. The Lab supports start-ups that develop innovative, technology-enabled solutions in the areas of financial technology, livelihoods, and skilling for the benefit of low- and middle-income (LMI) communities. MSC provided technical assistance (TA) to these start-ups. This blog focuses on the lessons learned from this TA program where we highlight six key insights that could be helpful both to investors, consultants, and other organizations which plan TA programs for similar start-ups.

Bootcamps designed by the JPMC FI Lab allow start-ups to introspect and reflect on their “growth and accelerate” needs. This blog brings out the lessons and experiences from these bootcamps.

Jai Kisan is a lending platform that uses technology to provide credit solutions to farmers for equipment used in agriculture and allied activities. It has identified its niche in financing farming equipment (excluding tractors) because of the existing finance gap that exists in Indian markets. This blog walks us through the genesis, struggles, and victories of this start-up.