FinBharat, an app-based investment platform founded by finance industry veterans D Ramanathan and Rakesh K, is preparing for launch in November 2026. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, the Chennai-based firm is targeting bottom of the pyramid customers with annual income less than ₹6 lakhs. The platform will offer low-ticket products including Choti SIP and sachet health insurance specifically designed for street vendors, gig workers, homemakers and students. Speaking to The Hindu BusinessLine, CEO and Managing Director D Ramanathan emphasized that unlike large incumbent stock brokerage platforms that provide off-the-shelf investment products, FinBharat is targeting first-time investors with tailored financial solutions.
As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the addressable market for such products remains substantial with more than 65 crore Indians who do not invest in regulated products. Rakesh K, co-founder of FinBharat, explained that the company's strategy focuses on transitioning customers from unorganised investment products like chit funds and informal lending into structured platforms with regulated offerings. The app will initially launch with mutual funds and AAA-rated fixed deposits, with plans to expand into health, life and vehicle insurance, brokerage services and small ticket personal loans within six months.
According to The Hindu BusinessLine, FinBharat will differentiate itself through vernacular language support and a voice-based AI assistant that will provide handholding for new investors. CEO D Ramanathan highlighted that one key differentiator will be the platform's vernacular language capabilities, designed to make financial services more accessible to first-time investors who may not be comfortable with traditional financial terminology or digital interfaces.
As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the company has secured pre-seed funding of $0.5 million and is currently raising another $0.5 million from institutional investors and family offices. Both founders bring extensive finance industry experience, having worked at Shriram Finance, Fisdom and Motilal Oswal. The company is addressing concerns about the new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charge on mutual fund transactions, particularly its impact on small-ticket investments like ₹100–₹500 SIPs. Ramanathan argues that parity with insurance, where transactions up to ₹2,000 attract no MDR, would provide some solace for the platform's target customer base.
