Intellend Technologies Advisors, a rising fintech startup focused on embedded lending, has raised $1.2 million (₹10.6 crore) in a seed funding round. The investment was led by Incubate Fund Asia, with participation from M Venture Partners, Atrium Angels, and prominent angel investor Dhananjay Tiwari.
The fresh capital is earmarked for team expansion, product enhancement, and the execution of the company’s ambitious go-to-market strategy.
Redefining MSME Lending via Embedded Ecosystems
Founded in May 2025 by banking veterans Brotish Das, Som Chatterjee, and Bodhisattwa Gupta, Intellend is tackling the massive $500 billion credit gap facing India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Unlike traditional lenders that require extensive paperwork and branch visits, Intellend operates a full-stack Lending-as-a-Service (LaaS) platform.
By integrating credit directly into digital merchant ecosystems, the platform allows small businesses to access capital at the exact point of need—such as during inventory procurement or payment processing.
Data-Driven Underwriting and Veteran Leadership
The strength of Intellend lies in its automated risk assessment. The platform uses AI-driven underwriting and real-time transaction data from merchant platforms to offer structured and affordable credit to “thin-file” borrowers who typically lack formal credit histories.
The founding team brings a wealth of experience from global and domestic financial giants:
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Brotish Das (CEO): Background in digital lending and strategic leadership.
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Som Chatterjee (COO): Expertise in operations and risk management.
- Bodhisattwa Gupta (CBO): Specialist in embedded finance and business development.
The trio previously held senior roles at Citi, Standard Chartered, HSBC, and Axis Bank, bringing institutional-grade risk management to the startup world.
Traction and Expansion Plans
Intellend has already made significant inroads, partnering with multiple merchant ecosystems that collectively serve over one lakh (100,000) merchants. These integrations allow for frictionless lending workflows that benefit both the merchant platform (through increased stickiness) and the small business owner (through timely capital).
Moving forward, the company plans to:
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Scale Partnerships: Onboard more merchant platforms and financial institutions.
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Broaden Product Suite: Introduce specialized lending products tailored to different industry verticals.
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Future Horizons: Explore underserved segments and potential international markets in the medium to long term.
“We are reimagining MSME credit by making it a seamless part of the digital commerce experience,” the founders stated. “Our mission is to ensure that no viable small business in India is held back by a lack of structured finance.”
By: Vanshika Tayal
