31/03/2026
EP 2 of Kota Startup Stories is now live!
In this episode, sits down with Nidhi Kasliwal, MD & Board Member at , to uncover the truth about microfinance in India.
This is a ₹3 lakh crore industry impacting over 11 crore women.
But beyond the numbers, there’s a much deeper story.
From small loans of ₹20,000–₹30,000…
to women in rural India building income, confidence, and independence…
This conversation breaks down what microfinance actually looks like on the ground.
In this episode, we cover:
• What microfinance really means
• How loans are given without collateral
• Why women are at the center of this system
• What changed when loans were given to men vs women
• How Nidhi entered and built her journey in microfinance
• Ground realities from rural India that most people don’t see
About the guest:
Nidhi Kasliwal is the MD & Board Member at Kamal Fincap.
With over 20 years of experience in finance, she has built a microfinance model that is helping thousands of women across regions access capital and grow.
Her journey started by understanding microfinance on the ground when she was 5 months pregnant, and today, she is playing a key role in driving financial inclusion at scale.
🎙️ Watch the full episode live on Bhargavi Rathi YouTube channel.
Follow for more such conversations with founders and leaders building real impact.
StartupStories FinancialInclusion