The recent win of Hardika Shah at the Economic Times (ET) Startup Awards 2024 in the Woman Ahead category is a milestone. It is a significant moment for inclusive entrepreneurship in India. Shah is the founder and CEO of fintech company Kinara Capital and it is bringing drastic change in the lending system.
The financial space today is fast-evolving and Kinara Capital stands out for its focus in the sector. It offers collateral-free loans to MSMEs. Many of them have been underserved by traditional banks. The startup has a bias-free approach to credit by using AI and machine learning. Its innovative myKinara app makes possible loan disbursement within 24 hours.
The win of Hardika Shah at the ET Startup Awards highlights critical gap in access to finance. The traditional banking system has left countless MSMEs without a lifeline. This is where she has been able to disrupt the status quo.
Shah’s journey is inspiring and it is committed to gender equality. Kinara Capital boasts a women-majority management team. Her belief in strengthening an inclusive work environment has paved the path Kinara Capital into a leadership position in the fintech sector.
The recognition by the ET Startup Awards goes beyond acknowledging her success. It is a celebration of something outstanding in performance. Kinara Capital has so far disbursed more than INR 7,401 crores in loans and supported more than 426,199 jobs.
The win is not just a personal achievement, but it is also a victory for inclusive as well as forward-thinking entrepreneurship.
More women leaders like Shah may rise to prominence and India can finally start to see a real shift in how businesses operate and contribute to India’s economic future.
