The New Backbone of Bharat: Fintechs Driving Financial Inclusion in Small-Town India

As India’s fintech revolution gains momentum, its most meaningful impact is being felt beyond the metros—in the lanes of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where access to formal banking has long been a challenge. A new wave of fintech disruptors is reshaping how financial services are delivered, ensuring that convenience, credit, and capital reach every corner of the country. Here’s a spotlight on five such players making financial inclusion more than just a buzzword:
BANKIT: Bringing Banking to Every Pin Code
BANKIT is on a mission to make basic banking services accessible in India’s most remote locations by converting local shopkeepers into BANKIT Agents. Through this “phygital” model, people can access services like cash withdrawals, AEPS, insurance, bill payments, and even travel bookings right in their neighborhoods. With over 1,29,000 outlets across 12,000+ pin codes, BANKIT is creating a hyperlocal financial ecosystem—one kirana store at a time.
LendingKart: Easing Credit Access for Small Businesses
LendingKart is helping small businesses in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities rise above the limitations of traditional lending. By providing unsecured, quick-turnaround loans with minimal documentation, it gives MSMEs the credit push they need to grow—whether it’s to buy machinery, expand operations, or simply manage working capital. It’s fast, flexible, and founder-friendly.
KredX: Unlocking Working Capital in Underserved Markets
KredX solves a pressing issue for businesses in semi-urban India—cash flow crunches. By offering invoice discounting and supply chain finance, KredX helps enterprises unlock funds tied up in receivables. The platform also connects businesses to investors seeking secure, short-term fixed-income opportunities, creating a win-win for all.
Digipay.Guru: Digitizing Payments in the Hinterlands
Digipay.Guru is helping financial institutions and telecom providers extend digital payment capabilities to areas with limited infrastructure. From mobile money to agency banking and contactless QR solutions, it enables smoother, safer, and more inclusive financial transactions in rural and semi-urban regions.
Kaleidofin: Designing Finance Around Aspirations
Instead of pushing standard financial products, Kaleidofin builds user-centric solutions driven by individual goals. With a suite of offerings across savings, credit, insurance, and investments—powered by analytics and India’s digital infrastructure—Kaleidofin empowers users in underserved communities to plan, protect, and prosper.

These five fintech pioneers are changing the financial narrative in India’s small towns—not just by offering products, but by building trust, access, and opportunity. In doing so, they’re becoming the new financial backbone of Bharat—lean, local, and truly inclusive.