Nordic Microfinance Initiative

Light Microfinance Private Limited is a non-banking finance company based in Ahmedabad, India, specializing in micro and meso finance products and services. Established in 1994, the company primarily operates in the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It focuses on delivering gender and poverty-oriented programs aimed at supporting rural and peri-urban communities, with a particular emphasis on empowering poor women. As a registered entity with the Reserve Bank of India, Light Microfinance is recognized as one of the fastest-growing microfinance institutions in the country, addressing the financial needs of underserved populations.

Sitara, known as Sewa Grih Rin Limited, is a housing finance company based in New Delhi, India, that was established in 2011. The company specializes in providing affordable housing loans to low-income households, particularly those in urban and peri-urban areas. It offers a range of mortgage products that can be used alongside government subsidies, as well as non-mortgage loans aimed at home and infrastructure improvements. Focused on addressing the needs of informally employed individuals, Sitara empowers these households, especially women, by helping them acquire tangible financial assets and improve their living conditions. Through its services, the company strives to bridge the financing gap for those who typically lack access to formal housing finance, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for its clients.

Sitara, known as Sewa Grih Rin Limited, is a housing finance company based in New Delhi, India, that was established in 2011. The company specializes in providing affordable housing loans to low-income households, particularly those in urban and peri-urban areas. It offers a range of mortgage products that can be used alongside government subsidies, as well as non-mortgage loans aimed at home and infrastructure improvements. Focused on addressing the needs of informally employed individuals, Sitara empowers these households, especially women, by helping them acquire tangible financial assets and improve their living conditions. Through its services, the company strives to bridge the financing gap for those who typically lack access to formal housing finance, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for its clients.

Tugende is a financial services company based in Kampala, Uganda, focused on empowering informal sector entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises. Founded in 2012, Tugende primarily assists motorcycle taxi drivers in transitioning from renting to owning their motorcycles within eighteen months, thereby enhancing their income, job security, and road safety. In addition to motorcycles, Tugende provides business assets such as special hire taxis, matatus, and boat engines, as well as supplementary assets for existing clients like smartphones and salon equipment. The company also offers a range of services, including care services for health and life insurance, safety training, and value-added services like genuine parts and maintenance support. By addressing the credit gap and facilitating asset ownership, Tugende helps clients achieve financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.

Light Microfinance Private Limited is a non-banking finance company based in Ahmedabad, India, specializing in micro and meso finance products and services. Established in 1994, the company primarily operates in the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. It focuses on delivering gender and poverty-oriented programs aimed at supporting rural and peri-urban communities, with a particular emphasis on empowering poor women. As a registered entity with the Reserve Bank of India, Light Microfinance is recognized as one of the fastest-growing microfinance institutions in the country, addressing the financial needs of underserved populations.

Svasti Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. is a microfinance institution based in Mumbai, India, focused on serving the financial needs of low-income individuals, particularly in urban slums. Founded in 1995, the company began its microfinance operations in 2008 and offers a range of customized loan products, including joint liability loans and loans against property. Additionally, Svasti provides payment services that facilitate short-term credit for utility bills, pre-paid mobile top-ups, and DTH bill payments. Utilizing technology and innovative product design, the company operates through branches across India and offers services accessible via mobile phones and a downloadable smartphone application. Svasti aims to address the under-penetrated Indian microfinance market, which features a fragmented landscape with numerous microfinance institutions but limited players in the non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector capable of attracting equity investments.

Proximity Designs is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that focuses on improving the livelihoods of farmers in Myanmar through innovative agricultural solutions. The organization designs and manufactures a range of farming equipment, including sprinklers, solar irrigation pumps, and hand-powered water pumps. In addition to its agricultural products, Proximity Designs offers agronomy advisory services, social services, and agricultural financing through Proximity Finance, a microfinance institution that currently serves approximately 100,000 households with plans to expand significantly in the coming years. The organization aims to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance economic opportunities for rural communities in Myanmar. Headquartered in South Pasadena, California, it also operates an office in Yangon, Myanmar.

Sindhuja Microcredit Pvt Ltd, established in 2017 and headquartered in Patna, India, specializes in providing credit products tailored to micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses. The company offers micro finance and micro enterprise loans, focusing on serving self-employed women entrepreneurs in rural and underserved areas, leveraging digital technology to enhance accessibility and affordability.

Svasti Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. is a microfinance institution based in Mumbai, India, focused on serving the financial needs of low-income individuals, particularly in urban slums. Founded in 1995, the company began its microfinance operations in 2008 and offers a range of customized loan products, including joint liability loans and loans against property. Additionally, Svasti provides payment services that facilitate short-term credit for utility bills, pre-paid mobile top-ups, and DTH bill payments. Utilizing technology and innovative product design, the company operates through branches across India and offers services accessible via mobile phones and a downloadable smartphone application. Svasti aims to address the under-penetrated Indian microfinance market, which features a fragmented landscape with numerous microfinance institutions but limited players in the non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector capable of attracting equity investments.

Dvara is a financial inclusion platform operating in India, comprising several businesses. Dvara KGFS establishes and supports local, geographically focused community financial services institutions, Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (KGFS), catering to remote rural markets. Dvara Solutions, a software company based in Bengaluru, helps financial institutions enhance their customer-centricity. Dvara Research aims to ensure universal access to financial services. The platform operates a non-banking financial institution, offering agent-based and correspondent banking solutions, including money transfers, bill payments, loans, savings, and more, empowering low-income households and enabling financial well-being.

Svasti Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. is a microfinance institution based in Mumbai, India, focused on serving the financial needs of low-income individuals, particularly in urban slums. Founded in 1995, the company began its microfinance operations in 2008 and offers a range of customized loan products, including joint liability loans and loans against property. Additionally, Svasti provides payment services that facilitate short-term credit for utility bills, pre-paid mobile top-ups, and DTH bill payments. Utilizing technology and innovative product design, the company operates through branches across India and offers services accessible via mobile phones and a downloadable smartphone application. Svasti aims to address the under-penetrated Indian microfinance market, which features a fragmented landscape with numerous microfinance institutions but limited players in the non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector capable of attracting equity investments.

BASIX Sub-K iTransactions Limited is a Hyderabad-based company that provides a mobile technology-driven transactional platform aimed at enhancing access to financial services for residents in rural, urban, and semi-urban areas. Established in 2010 as a subsidiary of Bhartiya Samruddhi Investments and Consulting Services, the company focuses on serving the unbanked population by offering a range of services including banking, government payments, utility payments, and money transfers through a network of local convenience outlets. The name "Sub-K," which translates to "for everyone" in Hindi, reflects the company's mission to create accessible financial touchpoints within close proximity to communities. By training local entrepreneurs as Business Correspondent agents, BASIX Sub-K operates a self-sustaining ecosystem that connects consumers to banking solutions, enabling cash deposits, withdrawals, remittances, and more. Additionally, the company supports micro-entrepreneurs through various financial products, including microcredit and insurance, while also facilitating government services such as Aadhaar and PAN card assistance, thereby promoting financial inclusion.

Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Limited is registered with Reserve Bank of India as Non Banking Finance Company (NBFC). Its registered office and corporate office is in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). It is started to provide financial and non financial services in its area of operations to the unbanked population who have the skill but are in need of capital. Initially it has started with credit and insurance, but eventually it will also undertake other activities to bring transformation in the lives of underprivileged.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited is a banking institution in India that offers a variety of financial products and services tailored to meet the needs of retail, institutional, and corporate clients. The bank operates through several segments, including Corporate/Wholesale Banking, Retail Banking, Treasury, and Other Banking Operations. Its product offerings encompass savings and current accounts, fixed and recurring deposits, and various loan options such as housing, personal, business, agricultural, and MSME loans. Additionally, the bank provides microbanking services, overdrafts against fixed deposits, and wholesale lending. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank also facilitates remittance services, including NEFT and RTGS, and offers digital banking solutions through ATMs, internet, and mobile banking. The bank is further engaged in treasury operations and the distribution of third-party financial products like insurance and mutual funds. As of March 31, 2020, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank operated a network of 507 branches and 177 ATMs across 15 states and 2 union territories in India. Headquartered in Varanasi, it was incorporated in 2016 and is a subsidiary of Utkarsh CoreInvest Limited.

RGVN (North East) Microfinance Limited is a registered Non-Banking Finance Company headquartered in Guwahati, India, focused on providing financial services to underprivileged households in the Northeastern region. Established in 2008, the company operates 149 branches across West Bengal and Northeastern India, aiming to improve access to health, education, and livelihood opportunities for its clients. RGVN offers a range of financial products, including loans for micro-businesses and subsidized loans for welfare purposes, emphasizing good governance, professionalism, and client satisfaction. The organization has set ambitious goals to impact a significant number of clients in the region, demonstrating a commitment to community-oriented financial solutions.

Satin Creditcare Network Limited is a non-banking finance company based in Gurugram, India, specializing in microfinance services. Founded in 1990, the company primarily offers collateral-free microcredit facilities to economically active women, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to mainstream financial services is limited. Its services include loans for individual businesses, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as financing for solar lamps, bicycles, consumer durables, and the development of water connections and sanitation facilities. Additionally, Satin Creditcare Network has a housing finance subsidiary that caters to the affordable housing segment. The company operates on a Joint Liability Group model, facilitating community-based lending, and serves clients across 23 states and union territories in India. Through its subsidiary, Taraashna Services Limited, it also provides business correspondent services to other financial institutions, further extending its reach within the underserved market segments.

Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Limited is registered with Reserve Bank of India as Non Banking Finance Company (NBFC). Its registered office and corporate office is in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). It is started to provide financial and non financial services in its area of operations to the unbanked population who have the skill but are in need of capital. Initially it has started with credit and insurance, but eventually it will also undertake other activities to bring transformation in the lives of underprivileged.

Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Limited is registered with Reserve Bank of India as Non Banking Finance Company (NBFC). Its registered office and corporate office is in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). It is started to provide financial and non financial services in its area of operations to the unbanked population who have the skill but are in need of capital. Initially it has started with credit and insurance, but eventually it will also undertake other activities to bring transformation in the lives of underprivileged.

Utkarsh Micro Finance Private Limited is registered with Reserve Bank of India as Non Banking Finance Company (NBFC). Its registered office and corporate office is in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). It is started to provide financial and non financial services in its area of operations to the unbanked population who have the skill but are in need of capital. Initially it has started with credit and insurance, but eventually it will also undertake other activities to bring transformation in the lives of underprivileged.