Ashneer Grover, the Co-founder of BharatPe and former Shark Tank India judge, is venturing back into the fintech sector with the launch of ZeroPe, a revolutionary app dedicated to providing medical loans. ZeroPe, currently in its testing phase, is a part of Third Unicorn, a venture initiated by Grover after his tenure at BharatPe.
In January 2023, Grover, along with his wife Madhuri Jain Grover and entrepreneur Aseem Ghavri, founded Third Unicorn. The company made its debut with CrickPe, a fantasy gaming platform aimed at challenging industry giants like Dream11 and Mobile Premier League (MPL), and subsequently secured a significant $3.5 million seed funding round.
So, what sets ZeroPe apart? The app’s primary objective is to address the pressing need for accessible medical financing by offering instant pre-approved loans of up to Rs 5 lakhs. In collaboration with Delhi-based NBFC Mukut Finvest, ZeroPe’s services are exclusively available at partnered hospitals.
ZeroPe’s entry into the market aligns with a growing trend of businesses aiming to simplify healthcare financing. Other players in this space include SaveIn, Qube Health, and Mykare Health, among others. With India’s digital healthcare landscape projected to reach a potential of $37 billion by 2030, and healthcare financing estimated to contribute $5 billion, ZeroPe is strategically positioned to make a significant impact.
The core strategy of startups like ZeroPe involves leveraging data-driven solutions to integrate hospital networks, health insurance providers, and government healthcare schemes. This approach aims to offer comprehensive care management across various healthcare needs, making healthcare financing more accessible and efficient for the masses.
In parallel news, a recent report by CyberMedia Research (CMR) sheds light on significant shifts in India’s mobile phone market. The study, which involved over 2,000 mobile phone users in major Indian cities, highlights a growing preference for affordable 4G and even 5G smartphones, signaling a trend towards digital acceleration.
Feature phone users, in particular, are seeking devices that offer long battery life, ease of use, affordability, and digital capabilities. This has led to a substantial interest among feature phone users in upgrading to smartphones, especially within the INR 6,000 to INR 8,000 price range.
itel, a prominent brand in the feature phone segment, has emerged as a leader, surpassing competitors like Samsung in overall satisfaction. With an 86% conversion rate from trial to current usage, itel attributes its success to user-friendly design and cutting-edge features tailored to a youthful audience.
The rise of smart feature phones signifies a transition towards more advanced devices that blend traditional simplicity with modern digital capabilities. Indians are spending an average of 3 hours daily on their phones, emphasizing the need for devices that offer a seamless user experience.
Overall, the future of mobile telephony in India looks promising, with a growing demand for feature-rich yet affordable smartphones. Brands like itel, with their focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, are well-positioned to capitalize on this evolving market dynamics.
Ashneer Grover’s ZeroPe and the evolving mobile phone market in India reflect a landscape of innovation, accessibility, and digital transformation, catering to the evolving needs of consumers in the digital age.
