Welcome to the
Fintech Founders' Playbook
About the Speakers
The Fintech Founders Playbook by RBIH is designed as a comprehensive guide to help fintech entrepreneurs navigate every stage of their journey—from idea validation to scaling in the market. It brings together expert insights, real-world case studies, and regulatory perspectives to provide founders with practical, actionable strategies. The playbook covers critical areas such as product development, compliance, investor readiness, market access, and networking, while also highlighting opportunities through RBIH’s FAST (Fintech and Startup Acceleration) framework. By combining knowledge, mentorship, and ecosystem connections, it serves as a roadmap for startups to innovate responsibly and grow sustainably in India’s evolving financial landscape.
Featured Speakers :
Mr. Rajesh Bansal
Former CEO, RBIH
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
Ms. Somya Singh
Ex-Chief of Staff to the CEO, RBIH
Prof. MS Sriram
Chairperson - Public Policy, IIM Bangalore
Ms. Paroma Chatterjee
CEO - Revolut India
Mr. Akash Sinha
Co-founder & CEO - Cashfree Payments
Mr. Harshvardha Lunia
Founder - LendingKart
Mr. Saurabh Arora
Co-founder & CTO - Plum
Mr. V.R. Govindarajan
Co-founder & Director - Perfios
Mr. Dinesh Pai
VP - Zerodha
Dr. Debarag Banerjee
Chief AI & Data Officer - L&T Finance
Dr. Parul Naib
Head of AI & Data Science - RBIH
Mr. Vipul Saini
Asst. VP (Startups) - HDFC Bank
Ms. Smita Jha,
Partner Banking and Finance, Khaitan & Co
Mr. Sanjay Khan Nagra
Partner - Khaitan & Co
Mr. Ashish Fafadia
Partner - Blume Ventures
Mr. Vikram Vaidyanathan
Partner - Z47
Ms. Sushma Kaushik
Partner - 108 Capital
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The Future of Finance with Mr. Rajesh Bansal
About the module :-
In this module, we set the stage for your fintech journey. Understand what financial technology really means beyond the jargon, why it matters in today’s world, and how it’s creating new opportunities across banking, payments, lending, insurance, and investments. Learn from seasoned experts who have shaped policy and innovation in India’s financial ecosystem, and get a bird’s eye view of where fintech is headed next.
1: Foundations of Fintech
The Future of Finance with Mr. Rajesh Bansal
In this module, we set the stage for your fintech journey. Understand what financial technology really means beyond the jargon, why it matters in today’s world, and how it’s creating new opportunities across banking, payments, lending, insurance, and investments. Learn from seasoned experts who have shaped policy and innovation in India’s financial ecosystem, and get a bird’s eye view of where fintech is headed next.
Instructor:
Mr. Rajesh Bansal
Former CEO, RBIH
Understanding Fintech with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
In this module, we set the stage for your fintech journey. Understand what financial technology really means beyond the jargon, why it matters in today’s world, and how it’s creating new opportunities across banking, payments, lending, insurance, and investments. Learn from seasoned experts who have shaped policy and innovation in India’s financial ecosystem, and get a bird’s eye view of where fintech is headed next.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
2: FinTech for Financial Inclusion
Enabling Access through Fintech with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Fintech is not just about disruption; it’s about democratization.
This module explores how technology can be a tool for deepening financial access, reaching
underserved populations,
and building more inclusive economies. Hear insights from leaders who have worked at the
intersection of
finance, policy, and academia — and discover how you can design solutions that don’t just
scale, but uplift.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
Building an Inclusive Financial System with Mr. Rajesh Bansal
Fintech is not just about disruption; it’s about democratization.
This module explores how technology can be a tool for deepening financial access, reaching
underserved populations,
and building more inclusive economies. Hear insights from leaders who have worked at the
intersection of
finance, policy, and academia — and discover how you can design solutions that don’t just
scale, but uplift.
Instructor:
Mr. Rajesh Bansal
Former CEO of RBIH
Challenges and Opportunities in Financial Inclusion with Prof. MS
Sriram
Fintech is not just about disruption; it’s about democratization.
This module
explores how technology can be a tool for deepening financial access, reaching underserved
populations,
and building more inclusive economies. Hear insights from leaders who have worked at the
intersection of
finance, policy, and academia — and discover how you can design solutions that don’t just
scale, but
uplift.
Instructor:
Prof. MS Sriram
Chairperson - Public Policy, IIM Bangalore
3: Subsectors of Fintech
Mapping the Fintech Landscape with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these
power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different
subsectors like
payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer
expectations, and
growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could
take shape.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
Consumer Centric Innovation in Payments with Ms. Paroma Chatterjee
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these
power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different
subsectors like
payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer
expectations, and
growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could
take shape.
Instructor:
Ms. Paroma Chatterjee
CEO - Revolut India
Building Payment Infrastructure with Mr. Akash Sinha
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these
power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different
subsectors like
payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer
expectations, and
growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could
take shape.
Instructor:
Mr. Akash Sinha
Co-founder & CEO - Cashfree Payments
Lending Innovation for MSMEs with Mr. Harshvardhan Lunia
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these
power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different
subsectors like
payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer
expectations, and
growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could
take shape.
Instructor:
Mr. Harshvardha Lunia
Founder - LendingKart
The Rise of Insurtech with Mr. Saurabh Arora
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these
power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different
subsectors like
payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer
expectations, and
growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could
take shape.
Instructor:
Mr. Saurabh Arora
Co-founder & CTO - Plum
Building Data-Driven Platforms with Mr. V.R. Govindarajan
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different subsectors like payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer expectations, and growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could take shape.
Instructor:
Mr. V.R. Govindarajan
Co-founder & Director - Perfios
Building WealthTech at Scale with Mr. Dinesh Pai
Fintech is not one industry — it’s a universe of innovation. In these power-packed sessions, founders and operators from top startups break down different subsectors like payments, lending, insurtech and wealthtech. Understand the unique challenges, customer expectations, and growth opportunities in each area, and start identifying where your own fintech idea could take shape.
Instructor:
Mr. Dinesh Pai
VP - Zerodha
4: Emerging Technologies in FinTech
Understanding Tech in FinTech with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
From AI-driven underwriting to blockchain-powered remittances,
technology is
fundamentally reshaping financial services. In this session, get a deep-dive into the latest
innovations
transforming fintech today, and a glimpse into what’s coming next. Learn how to think about
emerging
technologies not just as trends, but as powerful tools to solve real customer problems.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
The Role of AI and Data in Fintech with Dr. Debarag Banerjee
From AI-driven underwriting to blockchain-powered remittances,
technology is
fundamentally reshaping financial services. In this session, get a deep-dive into the latest
innovations
transforming fintech today, and a glimpse into what’s coming next. Learn how to think about
emerging
technologies not just as trends, but as powerful tools to solve real customer problems.
Instructor:
Dr. Debarag Banerjee
Chief AI & Data Officer - L&T Finance
Exploring emerging technologies with Dr. Parul Naib
From AI-driven underwriting to blockchain-powered remittances,
technology is
fundamentally reshaping financial services. In this session, get a deep-dive into the latest
innovations
transforming fintech today, and a glimpse into what’s coming next. Learn how to think about
emerging
technologies not just as trends, but as powerful tools to solve real customer problems.
Instructor:
Dr. Parul Naib
Head of AI & Data Science - RBIH
5: Integrating with Banks
Innovation through Collaboration with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Building a fintech product often means working hand-in-hand with
banks. But
navigating partnerships, integrations, and compliance requirements can feel overwhelming. In
this session,
understand how to approach banks strategically, what they expect from startups, and how to
craft
partnerships that accelerate your go-to-market.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
How Startups Can Work with Banks with Mr. Vipul Saini
Building a fintech product often means working hand-in-hand with
banks. But
navigating partnerships, integrations, and compliance requirements can feel overwhelming. In
this session,
understand how to approach banks strategically, what they expect from startups, and how to
craft
partnerships that accelerate your go-to-market.
Instructor:
Mr. Vipul Saini
Asst. Vice President (Startups) - HDFC Bank
Fintech collaborations with an NBFC with Ms. Mehekka Oberoi
Building a fintech product often means working hand-in-hand with
banks. But
navigating partnerships, integrations, and compliance requirements can feel overwhelming. In
this session,
understand how to approach banks strategically, what they expect from startups, and how to
craft
partnerships that accelerate your go-to-market.
Instructor:
Ms. Mehekka Oberoi
Fund Manager - IIFL Fintech Fund
6: Essential Regulatory Understanding
Building Regulatory Mindfulness with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
In fintech, understanding regulations is a competitive advantage. In
this
session, dive into the basics of regulatory frameworks that govern payments, lending, and
more. Learn how
to stay compliant without stifling innovation, and how smart startups build regulatory
readiness into
their DNA from Day One.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
Navigating RBI Regulations with Mr. Shrimohan Yadav
In fintech, understanding regulations is a competitive advantage. In
this
session, dive into the basics of regulatory frameworks that govern payments, lending, and
more. Learn how
to stay compliant without stifling innovation, and how smart startups build regulatory
readiness into
their DNA from Day One.
Instructor:
Mr. Shrimohan Yadav
Ex- Chief General Manager - Reserve Bank of India
Legal Foundations for Fintechs with Ms. Smita Jha
In fintech, understanding regulations is a competitive advantage. In
this
session, dive into the basics of regulatory frameworks that govern payments, lending, and
more. Learn how
to stay compliant without stifling innovation, and how smart startups build regulatory
readiness into
their DNA from Day One.
Instructor:
Ms. Smita Jha,
Partner Banking and Finance, Khaitan & Co
7: 35 FinTech Ideas
35 Ideas for 2035 (PDF)
At the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub, we believe that fintech, when grounded in
empathy and scaled with intent, can bridge the deepest economic divides. From
enabling a small merchant in Manipur to accept digital payments, to designing
credit models that serve migrant workers, the future of finance lies in ideas that are
inclusive by design. And 35 Ideas for 2035 is a reflection of that future.
This report brings together the foresight of founders, CEOs, investors, policymakers, regulatory experts, and banking leaders. It captures where they believe the next big leap in fintech will emerge, from public infrastructure to embedded finance, from cross-border innovation to AI-powered compliance.
This report brings together the foresight of founders, CEOs, investors, policymakers, regulatory experts, and banking leaders. It captures where they believe the next big leap in fintech will emerge, from public infrastructure to embedded finance, from cross-border innovation to AI-powered compliance.
8: Thinking like an entrepreneur
Entrepreneurial Thinking with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Founding a startup isn’t just about skills — it’s about mindset. This
session
dives into what it really means to think like an entrepreneur: from embracing failure and
managing
uncertainty, to staying customer-obsessed and execution-focused. Discover how successful
founders develop
resilience and creativity that fuel their journeys, no matter what challenges come their
way.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
Design Thinking for Fintech Founders with Ms. Somya Singh
Founding a startup isn’t just about skills — it’s about mindset. This
session
dives into what it really means to think like an entrepreneur: from embracing failure and
managing
uncertainty, to staying customer-obsessed and execution-focused. Discover how successful
founders develop
resilience and creativity that fuel their journeys, no matter what challenges come their
way.
Instructor:
Ms. Somya Singh
Ex-Chief of Staff to the CEO, RBIH
9: Creating a venture
Structuring Your Startup Right with Mr. Sanjay Khan Nagra
Turning an idea into a company takes more than passion — it takes smart structuring, the
right legal
foundation, and strategic clarity. In this session, learn how to choose the right legal
structure, protect
your intellectual property, manage early equity, and navigate the real-world issues that
come with
building a fintech startup from scratch.
Instructor:
Mr. Sanjay Khan Nagra
Partner - Khaitan & Co
10: Raising a Cheque
Fundraising Fundamentals with Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
In this module, top investors across stages share exactly what they
look for in a
fintech founder, how to prepare for your fundraise, how to pitch better, and how to build
relationships
with investors that go beyond just capital. If you’re thinking of raising your first cheque,
these
sessions are a must-watch.
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH
Inside a VC's Mind with Mr. Ashish Fafadia
In this module, top investors across stages share exactly what they
look for in a
fintech founder, how to prepare for your fundraise, how to pitch better, and how to build
relationships
with investors that go beyond just capital. If you’re thinking of raising your first cheque,
these
sessions are a must-watch.
Instructor:
Mr. Ashish Fafadia
Partner - Blume Ventures
Scaling Up with an Investor with Mr. Vikram Vaidyanathan
In this module, top investors across stages share exactly what they
look for in a
fintech founder, how to prepare for your fundraise, how to pitch better, and how to build
relationships
with investors that go beyond just capital. If you’re thinking of raising your first cheque,
these
sessions are a must-watch.
Instructor:
Mr. Vikram Vaidyanathan
Partner - Z47
Smart Fundraising Strategies with Ms. Sushma Kaushik
In this module, top investors across stages share exactly what they look for in a fintech founder, how to prepare for your fundraise, how to pitch better, and how to build relationships with investors that go beyond just capital. If you’re thinking of raising your first cheque, these sessions are a must-watch.
Instructor:
Ms. Sushma Kaushik
Partner - 108 Capital
11: Conclusion
The Fintech Journey Ahead Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
As you complete the Playbook, this session leaves you with final
thoughts,
encouragement, and practical next steps. Building in fintech is not easy, but it is one of
the most
rewarding journeys you can embark upon. Stay focused, stay curious, and most importantly,
keep building!
Instructor:
Mr. Aakarsh Naidu
Head of Fintech & Startups - RBIH