Connecting global economies and making investing more accessible for Kiwis
A bold vision
When Jai Goradia and his co-founders started Indus, a New Zealand-based Fintech company, his vision was bold: to open India’s financial markets to the world. For the first time, investors outside India could easily access Indian equities and mutual funds without needing an Indian bank account or navigating complex infrastructure.
But, like many startup founders, Jai’s journey has been one of sharp highs, tough lows, and relentless learning. Through grit, community, and Creative HQ’s Fintech Lab, Indus has transformed from a small team with big ambitions into a fast-growing company with over 6,000 users and $1M raised in capital – all in less than a year.
Early Days and Challenges
When Jai and his co-founders applied for Fintech Lab, Indus was just a team of four working with an outsourced development agency. The product was in its infancy, and challenges came thick and fast. Jai recalls one particularly stressful moment early on:
“I remember a month into the accelerator, we had this amazing day… we crossed 50 sign-ups for the first time… and the next day, all the screens went blank. Every phone, every user. No one knew why.”
Acceleration and Access
Fintech Lab 2025 became a catalyst for Indus’ rapid growth. Beyond mentorship and workshops, Jai credits the programme with unlocking access to key players and networks:
“It was about speaking to the right people, partners like New Zealand Fintech Fund, BNZ, and the FMA. Having a forum where we could ask questions without judgement, get guidance, and build those relationships has been super helpful.”
The connections forged through the accelerator have continued to pay off. When Indus began planning expansion into Australia, Jai tapped into cohort relationships built during the programme to connect with the right banking partners and navigate regulatory challenges faster.
Building Resilience
Despite the momentum, Jai admits the journey hasn’t been without its lows. One of the toughest moments came just months after leaving the programme.
On the other side of those challenges came big wins. Indus has continued to grow, secured funding, and is now aggressively expanding across New Zealand, Australia, and soon into the UAE and USA.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Jai envisions Indus as more than a platform – he sees it as a bridge connecting economies. With remittance services and alternative investment products on the horizon, Indus aims to simplify the movement of capital in and out of India and make investing more accessible globally.
“We had three days to make payroll. There was $2,000 in the bank, and we’d just been hit with unexpected regulatory costs. We went scrambling, calling everyone we knew. Luckily, we pulled through, but we came close to dying a couple of times.”
“Indus has introduced India as a legitimate market to the world,” Jai says, and this is just the beginning.
