Fintech startup Saswat has raised $2.6 million in a seed funding round to expand its digital financial services for micro and small enterprises across India. The round was led by early-stage investors with participation from marquee angels and sector-focused funds.
Founded by Raghavendra Pratap and Sumit Suman, Saswat is building a tech-led platform that simplifies credit access for India’s smallest businesses—especially those outside Tier-1 cities. The startup is focused on empowering kirana stores, roadside vendors, home-based sellers, and other underserved entrepreneurs who often face rejections from traditional banks.
With the fresh capital, Saswat plans to accelerate product development, enhance its underwriting models, and expand its presence in high-potential regions. The startup will also invest in growing its on-ground partner network and strengthening customer support in multiple regional languages.
Saswat’s core product is a digital platform that evaluates the creditworthiness of micro-enterprises through alternative data. It bypasses paperwork and formal credit history by using transaction patterns, mobile usage, and business behaviour as indicators. The process is fast, inclusive, and built for those previously left out of India’s financial system.
The fintech also offers tools that help businesses manage money more efficiently—such as daily collection tracking, digital invoicing, and short-term working capital support. These solutions are designed to help micro-entrepreneurs grow sustainably, without falling into debt traps.
Saswat currently operates in select districts across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. With this funding, the startup aims to enter five more states by early 2026. It targets onboarding over 1 lakh micro-businesses within the next 12 months.
The team believes the real India story lies in enabling the smallest economic units. By focusing on inclusivity and simplicity, Saswat wants to redefine how credit is accessed, used, and repaid at the grassroots level.
This funding marks a strong validation of Saswat’s mission—bridging the gap between informal commerce and formal finance. The startup is not just offering loans; it is offering opportunity, stability, and a step towards financial dignity for millions of entrepreneurs.
As the fintech ecosystem continues to evolve, Saswat is placing itself at the heart of inclusive innovation—where impact, scalability, and technology come together to empower India’s next wave of entrepreneurs.
