Ashneer Grover Announces Third Unicorn Venture: ZeroPe in BNPL Space
Former BharatPe co-founder returns with a new fintech startup focused on buy-now-pay-later for small merchants.
Key Facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Deal size | ₹500 crore |
| Sector | Ashneer Grover |
| Coverage | Startup News |
Ashneer Grover, the controversial co-founder of BharatPe, has announced his new venture: ZeroPe, a buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform focused on small merchants and kirana stores.
The Comeback
After a dramatic exit from BharatPe in 2022, Grover spent two years away from the startup spotlight. Now he's back with a venture that targets the same small merchant segment but with a different approach.
"BharatPe was about payments. ZeroPe is about credit," Grover explained at the launch. "Every kirana store owner needs working capital, but banks won't touch them. We will."
How ZeroPe Works
The platform offers instant credit to merchants for inventory purchases:
Early Traction
ZeroPe claims to have onboarded 50,000 merchants in its pilot phase, with a disbursement run rate of ₹500 crore annually.
The Controversy Continues
Grover remains a polarizing figure. Critics point to governance issues at BharatPe, while supporters credit him with building a $3 billion company.
"I don't care about the noise," Grover says. "I care about building things that work."
Reported by Ananya Raghavan. Spotted an error in this story? Request a correction or email corrections@startupory.com. See our editorial policy.
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