BharatPe is a fintech firm, focused on enabling digital payments for small merchants. The company was launched in 2018 and is headquartered in New Delhi. With BharatPe, small merchants and retailers can accept payments from all UPI-based apps such as Google Pay, Amazon, WhatsApp, PhonePe, Paytm and Bhim. Currently there are more than 150 such UPI based apps, all of which can be used to make payments via BharatPe. With a single QR code, small merchants can accept payments across the spectrum and boost their business.
There are a number of other benefits available with using BharatPe. For example, there is no charge for accepting payments with BharatPe. This is very helpful for small retailers, who may not be in a position to bear the burden of online transactions. BharatPe payment services are absolutely free.
Another benefit is that merchants can get loan of up to Rs 7 lakh at 0% processing fee. Plus, they don't need to provide any collateral for the same. These loans are offered at competitive interest rates, lower than prevailing market rates. The company is also offering card swipe machine without any fee, transaction charge or monthly rental. This again is a significant benefit for small merchants and kirana stores.
History
While the digital revolution had started in the country several years earlier, the founders noticed that accepting digital payments continued to pose challenges for small retailers. There were complaints about transaction charges and other hidden fees and charges, which small retailers did not appreciate.
To solve such issues, BharatPe was launched in 2018. Since that it has become one of the preferred choices of small merchants for accepting digital payments. As of now, more than 50 lakh merchants utilize BharatPe payment system.
Funding
BharatPe has received investments worth $700.5 million via 11 rounds of funding. Some of the key investors include Beenext, Sequoia Capital, Insight Partners, Steadview Capital, Ribbit Capital, Coatue Management and Amplo.
Acquisitions
BharatPe had acquired Payback in June 2021. The deal was valued at $27 million. Payback was a multi-brand loyalty platform, earlier managed by American Express and ICICI Investments Strategic Fund. With Payback, BharatPe will be in a better position to create attractive offers for end users.
Competitors
BharatPe competes with rivals such as PhonePe, Paytm, PayU, Razorpay and Mobikwik.
About the Founders
BharatPe was founded by Ashneer Grover and Shashvat Nakrani. Ashneer had earlier worked as CEO and MD of BharatPe, but resigned in 2022. Prior to founding BharatPe, he had worked at PC Jeweller Ltd, Grofers, American Express and Kotak Investment Banking. He had studied at IIT, Delhi and IIM, Ahmedabad. Co-founder Shashvat Nakrani had also studied at IIT, Delhi.
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