Peak XV Partners-backed Freo to acquire IndiaLends

07 May 2026, 02:27 PM

The financial details of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.

Fintech platform Freo has agreed to acquire digital credit marketplace IndiaLends.

The move is aimed at combining Freo's consumer financial products with IndiaLends' lending marketplace to significantly expand the combined entity's reach and scale, a statement said.

The financial details of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.

The merged platform is expected to serve over 50 million users, with Freo looking to deepen its presence across payments, credit, insurance, and investments for India's middle-income segment.

Freo, originally launched as MoneyTap in 2015 by Kunal Varma, Anuj Kacker, and Bala Parthasarathy, is backed by investors including Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India), Prime Venture Partners, and MegaDelta. The company holds a TPAP licence for UPI, an NBFC licence, and an Insurance CA licence.

IndiaLends, founded by Gaurav Chopra, a London Business School and London School of Economics alumnus and former Capital One banker, operates one of India's largest digital marketplaces for loans and credit cards. The platform has integrations with over 80 banks and NBFCs and is backed by ACP Partners, DSG Consumer Partners, and American Express Ventures, among others.

The combined entity plans to raise a large round of capital to fund its next phase of growth. Integration across teams, products, and partner networks is expected to roll out in phases over the coming months.

"The platforms that win the next decade will combine the right licences, the right distribution, profitable discipline, and AI embedded across the stack. With IndiaLends, Freo now has all four at scale," said Kunal Varma, co-founder and CEO of Freo.

Gaurav Chopra, founder and CEO of IndiaLends, added that joining Freo would amplify the company's founding belief that every Indian deserves access to the right credit at the right time, calling the combined platform a full-stack offering with vast distribution and decades of experience.

Who Reads Us

I enjoy reading The Head and Tale for their coverage on the Fintech landscape. The reporting is incisive and honest,  and it demonstrates a sharp understanding of the industry and the issues that concern it. I'd like to extend my best wishes to Arti for her continued success.

Rahul Chari, Co-Founder and CTO, PhonePe
Rahul Chari Co-Founder And CTO, PhonePe

Well-researched, informative and analysis based reporting makes an interesting read. 'The Head and Tale' news portal has been demonstrating this quite well covering fintech and emerging tech sectors. Their timely updates, exclusive stories and different perspectives on these sectors help me stay informed. Kudos to Arti Singh for pursuing her passion and best wishes to the team.

Rishi Gupta, MD & CEO, Fino Payments Bank
Rishi Gupta MD & CEO, Fino Payments Bank

The Head and Tale stands out for its deep industry knowledge and impressive network of sources. I especially appreciate that the reporting remains independent, rarely resorting to paid puff pieces, making it a publication I can genuinely trust. Having followed Arti’s work for years, I’ve come to rely on The Head and Tale for its unparalleled insight and truly independent coverage. Arti’s long-standing presence in the sector means her reporting is always informed, with access few can match.

Lizzie Chapman, co-founder, ZestMoney
Lizzie Chapman Co-founder, ZestMoney

What I really appreciate about The Head and Tale is that it doesn’t just report the news, it interprets it. The stories are well-researched, comprehensive, and bold. Arti brings a fearless lens to reporting, often asking the uncomfortable but necessary questions. She makes you pause, reflect, and rethink what it all means for the payments and fintech ecosystem. It’s rare to find journalism that’s this sharp, timely, and relevant to the work we do every day.

Mohit Bedi, co-founder, Kiwi
Mohit Bedi Co-founder, Kiwi

I’ve always valued journalism that goes beyond surface-level headlines. The Head and Tale does exactly that - it connects the dots, asks the tough questions, and brings clarity to the shifts shaping our evolving industry. I’ve even encouraged my team members to subscribe, because staying informed through credible, deeply reported stories is as important as building products. For me, The Head and Tale has become part of essential reading.

Cofounder of IPO-bound leading fintech lending company
Cofounder of IPO-bound leading fintech lending company