Godrej Capital Empowering MSMEs Through Collaborative Platforms and Tailored Support

Pankaj Gupta

As a late entrant in the NBFC space, Godrej Capital knew they had to stand out,
focusing on innovative features that make a difference for their customers, shared Pankaj Gupta, Chief Business Officer, Godrej Capital in an exclusive interaction with Srajan Agarwal of Elets News Network (ENN).

With a digital-first approach becoming more critical in today’s market, how is Godrej Capital leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency?

Godrej Capital is growing fast— we’ve just crossed INR 13,600 crore AUM, and our customer base has doubled in a year. We’re present in 40+ cities and expanding geographically and in terms of product offerings. A big part of our success comes from our digital- first approach. We’ve built our operations around agile technology that quickly adapts to market demands.

We’re proud to be early adopters of GenAI, which we’ve already implemented in our customer service to offer faster, more personalised support. And we’re not stopping there—GenAI will soon play a role in our credit management and other operational areas, helping us streamline processes and deliver an even better customer experience. Our loans are
designed to be fair, fast, and flexible, with minimal documentation needed, so customers can get what they need without any hassle.

Being backed by Godrej Industries Group’s 127-year legacy, trust and reliability are always at the forefront of our work. This blend of tradition and innovation makes us a dependable lender while keeping us ahead of digital solutions.

Godrej Capital offers a range of products for home loans and MSMEs. What differentiates your offerings from others in the market, and how do you see these products evolving?

As a late entrant in the NBFC space, we knew we had to stand out, so we’ve focused on innovative features that make a difference for our customers. For example, we offer flexible loan repayment plans called ‘Design Your EMI’ that let customers customise their payment schedules to fit their needs. We also have ‘Flexi Funds,’ which is like an overdraft facility—customers can withdraw and repay instantly, making it easy for business owners to manage their cash flow.

For our unsecured Business Loans, we’ve introduced ‘BizRewards,’ which rewards customers for paying their EMIs on time. This not only rewards them but also supports their credit score, creating a positive cycle that enhances the overall experience. When it comes to secured loans like Loan Against Property or Udyog Loan Against Property, we accept a wide range of collateral types and offer high loan-to- value ratios and long tenures, giving customers more flexibility and support. On the home loan front, we’re proud to be pioneers in offering loans for same-sex partners. We also provide features like ‘parallel funding’ to help ease the burden of down payments for underconstruction properties. Our digital platforms are designed to be comprehensive and user-friendly, enhancing the overall experience and making the journey as seamless as possible.

Ultimately, we’re all about creating solutions that genuinely benefit our customers, and are consistently evolving and improving our products to stay ahead.

Could you elaborate on the long- termgrowth vision for Godrej Capital? How do you see the company positioned in the industry five years from now?

In the next five years, we have some big ambitions for Godrej Capital. First and foremost, we want to establish ourselves as a trusted and preferred lending partner across the country. We’re focused on reaching underserved segments, which aligns with our broader mission of bridging the credit gap in India. Expanding our presence into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets is a key part of that vision.

On the numbers side, we’re aiming to close this year with an AUM of INR 17,000 crores and have a target of reaching INR 50,000 crores by FY28. We’re not just stopping there—we’re also diversifying our product offerings. Our goals are deeply tied to our nation-building philosophy. At Godrej, we believe that what’s good for the country is good for business. We want to grow while making a real impact, ensuring our offerings genuinely support India’s progress.

The Nirmaan initiative has been pivotal in supporting MSMEs. Can you discuss how this initiative has impacted the sector and Godrej Capital’s role in it?

The Godrej Nirmaan platform is designed to make a real difference in the MSME sector by providing essential tools and services that support growth and sustainability. It’s a one-stop platform accessible to all MSMEs across the country, with no registration fees, making it easy for businesses to get on board.

Through Godrej Nirmaan, MSMEs can connect with industry leaders like Amazon, DBS India, and Visa, among others, gaining access to discounted business solutions that help them manage & scale operations, boost employee productivity, and expand their customer base. By improving creditworthiness and offering tailored support, we’re mpowering these businesses to become more competitive and efficient.

Could you share some insights into the future business and expansion plans for Godrej Capital? What are your main priorities in the coming years?

At Godrej Capital, we’re enthusiastic about what lies ahead. Our key focus is on diversifying our product offerings while expanding our geographical footprint to achieve our ambitious goals. We recognise the vital role of the MSME sector as the backbone of the Indian economy, so enhancing our MSME loan book is a top priority for us. To that end, this year, we’ve launched dairy farm loans in select states to support the agrarian economy, marking a significant milestone. Additionally, we’re gearing up to introduce affordable housing loans in alignment with the government’s ‘Housing for All’ initiative.

Also Read | NBFCs and new-age lenders empowering MSMEs with flexibility and forecasting

On top of that, we’re diving into supply chain finance, which we believe will open up new opportunities. Our co-lending business is also picking up well, and it’s only going to grow from here. We’re seeing a significant uptick and the business is on track to achieve AUM of INR 17,000 crore this FY.

Looking ahead, we’re even planning to foray into personal loans, which will further broaden our portfolio. Our goal is to ensure that we’re not just meeting market demands but also making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

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