Empowering Entrepreneurs: An Interview with Subhash Chandra Acharya, Founder of Seeds Fincap

An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Subhash Chandra Acharya, Founder & Director at Seeds Fincap, an NBFC committed to empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

In this insightful interview, Mr. Subhash Chandra Acharya, Founder and Director of Seeds Fincap, shares his vision for driving financial inclusion and empowering small businesses across India.

His journey reflects determination, innovation, and a strong commitment to creating sustainable economic growth.

What was the driving force behind founding Seeds Fincap, and what gap did you aim to fill in the financial ecosystem?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : The idea for SEEDS Fincap came from observing a persistent problem in India’s MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) sector: large numbers of small businesses with real potential were struggling to access formal credit under terms that matched their needs.

Banks and larger financial institutions often require strong collateral, formal documentation, and operate from urban centres, which leaves out entrepreneurs in Tier-2/3/4 towns who may lack formal credit history or sufficient paperwork—even though their cash flows are solid.

We founded SEEDS (in early 2021) to bridge exactly that gap. With our experience in NBFCs and credit underwriting, we saw an opportunity to build a differentiated MSME lender that could do three things well:

Cash-flow driven underwriting — assess the real earning and business operations of small entrepreneurs rather than depending solely on formal financials or collateral.

Tech-enabled operations and local field presence — combining data, digital tools, and branches in underserved geographies so credit decisions are faster, service more accessible, and risk better managed.

Fair, affordable credit for smaller ticket sizes — offering unsecured or low-collateral business loans in the ₹1-5 lakh range (or even smaller in some products), so that first-time formal-credit users can get support without being shut out.

Our goal was not just business growth, but real inclusion — to reach MSMEs who were statistically underserved, to bring them into the formal credit system, improve livelihoods, support economic growth beyond big cities.

SEEDS seeks to fill the enormous MSME credit gap in India (estimates run into lakhs of crores) with a sustainable, scalable model that delivers both financial discipline and social impact.

What differentiates Seeds Fincap from other NBFCs operating in the same segments?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : When we started SEEDS, we were very clear — we didn’t want to become “just another NBFC.”

We focus on understanding how an entrepreneur truly runs their business—tracking daily collections, observing supplier and customer behavior, and monitoring operations firsthand. This hands-on approach, combined with frequent and regular field visits and customer interactions, gives us a distinct edge over others.

The second big difference is our branch-led, tech-enabled model. We are deeply present in Tier-2, 3 and 4 locations where credit access is limited, but we use technology to make underwriting and monitoring sharper. So, our field strength gives us local understanding, and our tech backbone gives us control and speed.

Third, our culture is different. We are building SEEDS with the mindset of inclusion and long-term relationships. Every borrower we serve is treated as a partner, not a ticket number. Our teams know that beyond credit, we are helping small entrepreneurs sustain their livelihoods — that purpose keeps us grounded.

In short, I’d say our differentiation is in mindset, method, and mission — mindset of inclusion, method of data-driven yet human underwriting, and mission to reach entrepreneurs others often overlook.

How is Seeds Fincap empowering underserved communities or small entrepreneurs through its products?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : Our products are designed around the real needs of small business owners — simple, quick, and flexible.

For example, we have our MSME Business Loan, which supports shopkeepers, traders, and small manufacturers who need working capital. A kirana store owner in Bhiwani or a small fabric unit in Ambala may need ₹2–3 lakh to buy seasonal stock — our unsecured business loan helps them do that without heavy paperwork.

Then we have Secured Business Loans for slightly larger enterprises — small workshops, dairy units, or service providers — who want to expand capacity or buy new equipment. These loans are backed by simple security, often property and structured around their cash flow so repayment stays comfortable.

We also offer Individual Loans for micro-entrepreneurs — like women running beauty parlours or tailoring units. These smaller-ticket loans (₹60,000 to ₹1 lakh) often mark their first step into formal credit.

Alongside that, we support borrowers with insurance, digital payment training, and credit awareness — because we want them to grow sustainably, not just borrow once.

So every SEEDS product — whether it’s ₹60,000 or ₹10 lakh — is built to empower small entrepreneurs with the right capital at the right time.

What challenges do you face in reaching financially excluded groups, and how do you overcome them?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : Honestly, the toughest part of working with financially excluded groups isn’t about money — it’s about trust.

When I visit our branches in smaller towns, I meet shopkeepers, small traders, women entrepreneurs — people who have been running their businesses for years without ever stepping into a bank. They’re not scared of repayment; they’re scared of being misunderstood.

They’ve seen paperwork, hidden charges, and rejection — so they hesitate to believe that someone like us could really understand them.

That’s the first challenge — winning their trust. And we do that the old-fashioned way — by being present. Our field teams sit with them, visit their shops, talk about their business, their daily cash flow, their dreams. Slowly, that hesitation turns into a relationship.

The second challenge is that most of them don’t have formal records — no ITR, no GST, sometimes not even a proper ledger. But that doesn’t mean they’re not creditworthy.

So, we built our own cash-flow based model — we look at how their business actually runs day to day, how money comes in and goes out. That gives us the real picture.

And of course, reaching deep rural and semi-urban areas isn’t easy — infrastructure, travel, connectivity — everything takes more effort. But honestly, that’s where the impact is the most visible.

Every time we disburse a small loan that helps someone expand a shop, buy stock, or send a child to college, it reminds me why SEEDS exists. These are not just customers — they’re partners in growth. That’s what keeps us going, despite all the challenges.

What innovations in the fintech ecosystem do you find most relevant to your business model?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : The fintech ecosystem is evolving fast, but what excites me most are innovations that make credit more human and inclusive.

For us at SEEDS, technology is not about replacing judgment — it’s about enhancing understanding. So, the innovations that matter most are the ones that help us read our customers better.

For example, AI-driven credit models and alternative data analytics are helping us refine risk assessment. We can now combine traditional field insights with digital footprints — creating a more accurate, fair, and faster lending decision.

Second, paperless onboarding and digital collections have been game-changers. With eKYC and mobile-based collection tools, we’ve reduced turnaround time and improved transparency for borrowers in even the remotest areas.

Additionally, the innovation I value most is the one that keeps empathy intact. Technology should never distance us from our customers; it should bring us closer by freeing our people from paperwork and letting them spend more time understanding the borrower’s story. That’s how we see fintech — as a bridge between data and human trust.

How do you see the NBFC sector evolving in the next five years amid regulatory and economic changes?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : I’ve spent most of my career in the NBFC space, and honestly, I’ve never been more optimistic than I am today.

The next five years are going to redefine what it means to be an NBFC in India. We’re moving from a phase of just “growth and reach” to one of responsible scale.

Regulators are rightly pushing for stronger governance, better transparency, and smarter risk controls — and that’s good for the ecosystem. It separates the serious, long-term players from the opportunistic ones.

What excites me is the blend of technology and empathy that’s coming in. NBFCs are now using data, digital journeys, and AI models — but at the same time, we’re closer to the customer than ever before.

We understand their realities, their challenges, their cash flows. That combination — tech plus human understanding — is what will define the leaders of tomorrow.

I also see more collaboration — between NBFCs, fintechs, and banks — rather than competition. Together, we’ll be able to serve credit-starved segments more efficiently.

So yes, the rules are changing, the bar is higher, but that’s exactly what will make the sector stronger. For SEEDS, this is not a challenge — it’s an opportunity to build a more trusted, transparent, and lasting institution.

What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who want to make an impact in financial services?

Subhash Chandra Acharya : If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that finance is not just about numbers — it’s about people.

My advice to anyone who wants to make a real impact in financial services would be simple: stay close to the ground. Spend time in the field, talk to customers, understand their fears, their struggles, and their dreams. That’s where real leadership begins.

Don’t get lost in presentations or algorithms — those matter, but empathy matters more. The best financial leaders I’ve met are the ones who can balance logic with compassion, data with intuition.

Also, be patient. Building trust — whether with customers, investors, or teams — takes time. But once you earn it, that trust becomes your biggest asset.

And finally, never lose sight of why you’re doing this. If your intent is pure — to create access, to empower, to make finance fair — success will follow naturally.

The industry doesn’t just need smart people; it needs good-hearted, grounded ones who believe inclusion and growth can go hand in hand.

Through his leadership, Seeds Fincap continues to inspire entrepreneurs and transform communities nationwide

Read more Success stories of Indian entrepreneurs, Women Entrepreneurs & startups stories at SugerMint. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn