In an effort to streamline operations and minimise the credit gap for the MSME sector, Godrej Capital is betting bigger on its business solution platform, Nirmaan, by expanding its collaborative network. The company has partnered with DBS Bank India, Visa, Amazon and others to provide growth opportunities for MSME owners. These collaborations are designed to empower MSMEs, offering an array of value-added services and support throughout their business journey.
Godrej Capital is the financial services arm of Godrej Group. Godrej Capital Nirmaan boasts of being a digital platform that is set to empower MSMEs for sustainable growth.
The platform aims to foster growth revolving around three critical areas for MSMEs such as expansion of customer base, streamlining of operations and enhancement of employee productivity.
Manish Shah, MD and CEO, Godrej Capital, says they envision Nirmaan to be pivotal in expanding their “lendable” customer case. “We foresee the platform reaching over 2 crore MSMEs and attracting over 1,00,000 visitors in the first month. We anticipate Nirmaan to be a driving force of the company’s growth trajectory and a significant contributor to our overall loan book of Rs 50,000 crore by FY28, with an estimated 60% contribution from MSME/SME-lending verticals alone,” he says.
Since its soft launch in April, the Nirmaan platform is focused on creating a robust and extensive network that can offer solutions for the MSME sector.Speaking about how this is expected to help free up cash flows for MSMEs, Shah adds that Godrej Capital provides flexible repayment models that can be of help to the sector. “There is ‘Design your EMI’ programme, BizRewards for timely repayments, through customised products like loan against property, Udyog Loan Against Property and unsecured business loans. This commitment extends to Nirmaan, which assists MSMEs in optimising cash flows through offerings that go beyond financing. For instance, our partner DBS Bank India offers benefits, allowing MSMEs to open a current account with specialised offerings, such as up to 4% interest on surplus funds, a 12-month MAQB waiver, and a Visa business card for seamless payments,” he explains. The partnership will enable DBS Bank India to offer MSMEs access to a comprehensive suite of value-added services, featuring a customised current account. Businesses registered with Nirmaan can enjoy benefits that go beyond the regular suite of offerings such as a 1-year waiver on minimum average quarterly balance non-maintenance fees, seamless integration with Tally ERP for connected banking, highly competitive trade and forex pricing, the convenience of a business debit card powered by Visa, and exclusive partner offers, making financial support for MSMEs more seamless.
In addition to the existing partners Onsurity, Zolvit and MSMEx, the new partners — GeM Tech Paras, Escrowpay, GreytHR, and Serapis Knowledge Solutions — will provide MSMEs with access to a wider range of solutions to help them grow their businesses.
Shah says that platforms such as Nirmaan can play a crucial role in supporting MSMEs. “The sector encounters obstacles ranging from financial constraints to market expansion and operational efficiency. Nirmaan, with its collaborative ecosystem, emerges as an integral solution to address these pressing issues,” he adds.
