In a country where financial inclusion remains a challenge for millions, one man’s vision is bridging the gap between urban convenience and rural aspirations. Meet Manish Kumar, the Founder and CEO of SR Tech N Serve Private Limited, the parent company behind Srimoney—a fintech platform revolutionizing financial accessibility for India’s semi-urban and rural population.
Starting with a modest investment of ₹10 lakhs in 2016, Manish has grown Srimoney into a ₹100 crore Gross Transaction Value (GTV) business, empowering thousands of small merchants and entrepreneurs across India. His journey is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to grassroots empowerment.
The Early Days: A Vision Takes Shape
Born in a small town in Bihar, Manish Kumar understood the struggles of limited access to financial and digital services early on. After 18 years of corporate experience, he recognized a glaring gap—while urban India was rapidly digitizing, rural and semi-urban areas were still heavily dependent on cash transactions with minimal access to banking, insurance, and travel services.
In 2016, at the age of 40, Manish took a leap of faith, founding Srimoney under SR Tech N Serve Private Limited. His mission was simple yet powerful: to democratize financial services by leveraging technology and local entrepreneurship.
Building a Fintech Ecosystem for Bharat
Srimoney started as a multi-service platform, enabling small merchants and shopkeepers to offer:
- Banking Services (Cash withdrawal, deposits, mATM, POS, payment solutions)
- Travel Bookings (Air, bus, and train tickets)
- Insurance Services (Life, health, vehicle, travel insurance)
- Utility Bill Payments & Recharges (Mobile, DTH, electricity, water)
Solving Real Problems
- Financial Inclusion: Many rural areas lacked banking infrastructure, forcing people to travel long distances for basic transactions. Srimoney’s micro-ATM and payment solutions brought banking to their doorstep.
- Employment Generation: By onboarding local shopkeepers and unemployed youth as Srimoney agents, the platform created zero-investment business opportunities, helping them earn additional income.
- Digital Empowerment: In regions with low digital literacy, Srimoney’s easy-to-use tech platform enabled small merchants to offer digital services without needing technical expertise.
Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- No Investment Required for Partners – Anyone could start earning by becoming a Srimoney agent.
- Single Registration, Multiple Services – A unified platform for banking, travel, insurance, and bill payments.
- Hyper-Local Support & Training – Ensuring even the least tech-savvy users could operate seamlessly.
Challenges & Triumphs
1. Building Trust in Rural Markets
Convincing small merchants to adopt a fintech solution was tough. Many were skeptical about digital transactions. Manish and his team conducted workshops, provided hands-on training, and offered assured commissions, gradually building credibility.
2. Bootstrapping with Limited Resources
Starting without external funding meant tight budgets and lean operations. Manish wore multiple hats—handling tech, operations, and marketing—until the business gained traction.
3. Scaling Sustainably
Expanding to remote areas required strong last-mile connectivity. Srimoney partnered with local influencers and existing shopkeepers, creating a network effect that fueled organic growth.
Impact & Recognition
Today, Srimoney serves thousands of merchants across India, processing over ₹100 crore in GTV annually. Its success has been recognized with several awards:
- 10 Most Recommended FinTech Startups – 2023 (CIO Insider)
- 10 Most Promising FinTech Companies – 2024 (Finance Outlook)
- Social Impact in Financial Services – Eminence MSME Award 2024 (Rotary Club)
The Road Ahead
Manish envisions Srimoney as a one-stop digital service hub for every Indian village, with plans to expand into:
- Micro-lending & Rural Banking Solutions
- Insurance Claim Assistance
- PAN & GST Services
- Digital Banking Kiosks
Lessons from the Journey
1. Start Small, Think Big
Manish began with just a laptop and a vision. His advice to budding entrepreneurs: “Don’t wait for perfect conditions—start with what you have.”
2. Patience & Persistence Pay Off
Success didn’t come overnight. “Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint,” he says.
3. Empower Others to Grow
Srimoney’s success lies in its community-driven model. By uplifting local entrepreneurs, the business grows organically.
