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Credit Wise Capital Secures Rs 200 Crore Funding Led by Trident Growth Partners and Other Investors

Nandini
Credit Wise Capital Secures Rs 200 Crore Funding Led by Trident Growth Partners and Other Investors
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Credit Wise Capital (CWC), a Mumbai-based non-banking financial company (NBFC) specializing in two-wheeler and MSME lending, has successfully raised Rs 200 crore in its maiden institutional funding round. This significant capital infusion is led by Trident Growth Partners (TGP), a prominent homegrown private equity firm, which alone invested Rs 120 crore, acquiring an 18% stake in the company. The remaining Rs 80 crore came from reputed family offices and private investors, marking a strong vote of confidence in CWC’s growth story.

A Strategic Investment to Fuel Growth in Semi-Urban and Rural India

Founded in 2019, Credit Wise Capital has rapidly expanded its footprint across 215 cities in 10 Indian states, focusing on credit-starved semi-urban and rural markets. The NBFC operates a tech-driven, branchless model that has enabled it to finance over 200,000 two-wheelers and manage assets worth Rs 645 crore as of March 2025, up from Rs 489 crore the previous year.

The fresh capital will be strategically deployed to:

  • Triple the assets under management (AUM) over the next three years.

  • Expand into new secured lending segments, including micro loans against property.

  • Strengthen proprietary technology platforms to enhance real-time, customer-centric credit experiences.

  • Deepen penetration into Tier 2 to Tier 4 cities, supporting underserved communities.

Balancing High ROA and High AUM Lending Products

CWC has recently introduced loan products ranging from Rs 5 to 10 lakh secured by property, available exclusively to existing customers. This move is designed to balance its high return on assets (ROA) two-wheeler loans with high asset under management (AUM) secured lending products. This dual approach aims to create a diversified and sustainable lending portfolio that caters to the emerging middle class in India.

Trident Growth Partners: A Long-Term Strategic Partner

Atul Gupta, Managing Partner at Trident Growth Partners, highlighted the alignment of this investment with TGP’s thesis to back founder-led, high-growth companies that are transforming India’s consumption and financial ecosystems. He praised CWC’s “phygital” distribution model, quality underwriting, and superior customer experience as key differentiators in the fragmented NBFC sector.

Rajesh Ramaiah, also a Managing Partner at TGP, emphasized the firm’s commitment to supporting CWC with governance, strategic guidance, and access to a broad ecosystem of advisors and founder networks. TGP’s backing is expected to accelerate CWC’s journey to becoming a full-stack financial partner for India’s emerging middle class.

Vision for the Future: Rs 4,500 Crore AUM by 2030

CWC co-founder Aalesh Avlani shared ambitious plans to grow the company’s assets under management to Rs 4,500 crore by March 2030, with an even split between two-wheeler loans and micro loans against property. The company’s technology-driven, branchless model has been instrumental in scaling operations efficiently, and the new funding will further enhance its proprietary tech capabilities and underwriting processes.

Why This Funding Matters for India’s Financial Inclusion

The Rs 200 crore funding round marks a pivotal milestone for Credit Wise Capital, enabling it to deepen financial inclusion in underserved semi-urban and rural areas. By leveraging technology and innovative lending models, CWC is addressing the credit gap for two-wheeler buyers and MSMEs, segments that are often overlooked by traditional banks.

This investment not only strengthens CWC’s balance sheet—with a capital adequacy ratio of 31.2% and a gearing ratio of 2.3x indicating prudent financial management—but also signals growing investor confidence in the NBFC sector’s potential to drive inclusive growth in India.

Conclusion

Credit Wise Capital’s Rs 200 crore funding round led by Trident Growth Partners is a landmark event that underscores the rising importance of tech-enabled NBFCs in India’s financial landscape. With a clear focus on semi-urban and rural markets, a diversified lending portfolio, and strong institutional backing, CWC is well poised to become a key player in expanding credit access to India’s emerging middle class.

This partnership promises to accelerate CWC’s growth trajectory, enhance its technological edge, and deepen its impact on India’s underserved communities, making it a compelling story of innovation, inclusion, and investment in the Indian NBFC sector.