ENA Sectors 2025-01-09 15:55:03 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Mumbai, Jan 9 (KNN)</strong> In a significant push to foster gender-focused financial innovation, the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), the innovation arm of the Reserve Bank of India, has teamed up with IIM Ahmedabads startup incubator, IIMA Ventures, to launch the third cohort of its Swanari TechSprint 3.0 programme.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This initiative aims to empower fintech startups to develop solutions that advance womens financial inclusion across India.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The programme offers startups an opportunity to conceptualise, refine, and scale their gender-inclusive financial solutions through expert mentorship, funding grants, and additional support.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Speaking on the initiative, Aakarsh Naidu, Head of Fintech &amp; Startups at RBIH, emphasised its importance, stating, Financial inclusion is a fundamental pillar of Indias growth story, and Swanari TechSprint serves as a platform to identify and support innovators dedicated to addressing the unique financial needs of women.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Swanari programme has been pivotal in addressing the financial challenges faced by women in India, where over 556 million women (aged 15 64, according to World Bank data) remain underserved.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The focus includes women-owned MSMEs, self-help groups, and street vendors, targeting hurdles like inactive bank accounts, limited access to savings products, and difficulty securing credit.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Despite strides in financial inclusion, women in India still face systemic barriers to accessing tailored financial services, said Supriya Sharma, Partner Insights at IIMA Ventures. The Swanari TechSprint is a call to action for fintech innovators to bridge these gaps.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The programme is currently accepting applications from startups with gender-focused financial solutions. Eligible participants must demonstrate a minimum viable product and either have pre-seed to pre-Series A funding or show measurable traction.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Previous cohorts of the Swanari programme have spotlighted promising startups like Kaleidofin, Haqdarshak, and Sampatti Card, showcasing innovative solutions that drive financial empowerment for women.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, RBIH is committed to leveraging technology to ensure easy access to finance, with Swanari TechSprint standing out as a flagship initiative in this mission.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 40582 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/rbi-innovation-hub-with-iim-a-to-launch-swanari-techsprint-30-for-womens-financial-inclusion 2025-01-09 15:55:03 knnindia.co.in