Fintech Watch| Exploring the Pioneering Ventures of Interface Ventures: An Exclusive Interview with Karan Desai

In an exclusive interview with Fintech Watch, Mr. Karan Desai, the visionary Founder of Interface Ventures, provides invaluable insights into the company’s distinctive approach within the rapidly evolving landscape of digital BFSI investments. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and transformation, Interface Ventures stands out as a trailblazer, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and extensive operational experience to drive meaningful impact in the SME ecosystem and the broader financial services sector. Through strategic partnerships and a forward-thinking approach, Interface Ventures continues to shape the future of fintech, empowering businesses and consumers alike with its unparalleled value proposition and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Edited excerpts from the interview

How does Interface Ventures distinguish itself in the competitive landscape of digital BFSI investments, and what unique value does it bring to the projects it incubates?

Desai highlighted Interface Ventures’ hands-on operational experience within financial services, particularly in lending and the retail credit ecosystem. This expertise, coupled with an extensive network cultivated over two decades, sets Interface Ventures apart in the competitive landscape. Each project incubated benefits from this rich network, ensuring tailored solutions and robust support.

Could you share some success stories or notable achievements of Interface Ventures in assisting SME businesses with operations, business expansion, fund raising, and digital transformation?

Over the past 20 months, Interface Ventures has successfully facilitated financial sanctions exceeding US $400 million for its clients, including numerous NBFCs and mid to large corporations. These endeavors have played a pivotal role in providing innovative finance solutions precisely when they were most needed, thus significantly contributing to the growth and resilience of SMEs.

Given the diverse expertise of Interface Ventures’ team members, how does the company ensure it matches the right experts with the specific needs of SME owners, and what impact has this approach had on the success of these businesses?

Interface Ventures ensures optimal alignment of expertise with SME requirements by directly handling core functions like debt raising, leveraging its core business expertise. For other specialized needs such as equity raising, public market listing, brand building, image enhancement, and legal assistance, the company collaborates closely with a trusted network of preferred partners. Acting as the SPOC, Interface Ventures coordinates all efforts seamlessly, ensuring a unified approach and effective management of client relationships.

The Founder of Interface Ventures has a track record of co-founding successful businesses, including a listed NBFC and a premium lifestyle nutrition brand. How has this entrepreneurial experience influenced the company’s investment strategies and overall approach to incubating new projects?

The founder’s extensive entrepreneurial background across financial services and healthcare profoundly influences every facet of Interface Ventures’ investment and operational strategies. This influence is manifest in the company’s diverse portfolio, encompassing retail credit and investment platforms, alongside strategic positions in rapidly growing financial institutions. Such strategic insights derived from entrepreneurial experience guide Interface Ventures in identifying and nurturing promising ventures with immense growth potential.

With investments in financial services and as a co-promoter of Internovo Ventures, could you elaborate on Interface Ventures’ role in shaping the landscape of financial services, particularly its involvement with Internovo Ventures and the assets, including INDIROW?

Interface Ventures’ involvement with Internovo Ventures is instrumental in launching three cutting-edge fintech platforms within a remarkably short timeframe of 20 months:

• Indirow: A partner-driven loan organization and distribution platform with an underwriting-first approach, facilitating retail credit for customers on a PAN India basis.
• Indibook: A digital recordkeeping platform for small and micro-businesses, promoting the government’s vision of digitalizing financial records and enabling access to formal and affordable finance for previously underserved sectors.
•  Indivest: Internovo’s retail savings and investment platform aimed at encouraging individuals who have not availed formal savings avenues due to various factors. Indivest is an educational and transactional platform that encourages users to leverage compounding for wealth creation, with the ability to start saving with as low as rupees 100 a month. Through these ventures, Interface Ventures actively shapes the financial services landscape by introducing innovative solutions that address emerging needs and challenges faced by consumers and businesses. Additionally, as a co-promoter of Internovo Ventures, Interface Ventures contributes to the growth and development of the fintech ecosystem, fostering innovation and driving positive change across the industry.

How do you see India’s fintech landscape (if possible, post Paytm)?

Looking ahead, we anticipate significant shifts in India’s fintech landscape, driven by evolving regulatory frameworks and technological advancements. Increased consolidation among smaller players and larger entities is expected as regulatory requirements become more stringent. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies like AI Metaverse is poised to enhance the user experience and security standards across fintech solutions, thereby revolutionizing the way financial services are accessed and utilized by consumers and businesses in India.

Interface Ventures stands as a beacon of innovation and transformation within the digital BFSI investment realm, leveraging its extensive operational expertise and well-established network to drive meaningful impact. Through successful financial facilitation for SMEs, strategic partnerships, and the launch of cutting-edge fintech platforms, Interface Ventures continues to shape the financial services landscape in India and beyond. With a forward-looking approach, the company remains poised to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and harness emerging technologies to enhance accessibility, security, and efficiency in financial services. As India’s fintech ecosystem evolves post-Paytm, Interface Ventures remains committed to fostering innovation, driving positive change, and empowering businesses and consumers alike through its unique blend of experience, expertise, and entrepreneurial vision.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by the author are his own and do not reflect the views of Fintech Watch.