Zinc, an education-focused financial startup set up by former PayU Finance India CEO Prashanth Ranganathan, has raised $25.5 million in a seed funding round led by Nexus Venture Partners, with additional investments from Quona Capital, EDBI, Global Ventures, and Credit Saison.

The company plans to use the funds to enhance product innovation and broaden its offerings, particularly in global investment tools, AI-driven university counseling, and cross-border payment solutions aimed at helping families secure their children's educational futures.

Zinc seeks to tackle the increasing costs of studying abroad by creating a financial framework specifically designed for this need.

Zinc's proprietary platform, Ada, acts as an AI-powered education counselor, providing support to young Indian students aspiring to study overseas. The startup also offers global investment tools that allow parents to diversify their savings into international markets, helping them create financial plans for their children's education while minimizing risks associated with currency fluctuations.

Additionally, Zinc has received approval for its Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) license from SEBI and has obtained in-principle approval for its Payment Service Provider (PSP) license. The company has applied for a brokerage license from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in GIFT City.

Ranganathan previously founded Paysense – which was acquired by PayU in 2020.