CBV Ventures Private Limited, in collaboration with Capital Trust Limited (CTL), has launched Unaati, a new digital platform aimed at improving access to micro-credit and digital tools for small-format retailers. The initiative, which will be piloted in the National Capital Region (NCR) by June-end, targets over 2,000 kirana stores in its first phase.
Integrated model with overdraft support and analytics
Unaati is designed to address the credit constraints of micro-retailers operating in low-margin environments. The platform integrates credit access, logistics support, and real-time analytics to support the operational needs of kirana stores.
As part of the collaboration, Capital Trust Limited will introduce an overdraft facility tailored for retailers onboarded through Unaati. The product is expected to offer flexible working capital with a faster turnaround time and simplified paperwork, leveraging CTL’s three-decade experience in rural and semi-urban lending.
The pilot will cover 25 distribution hubs and is projected to enhance supply chain efficiency by 40%, according to internal projections by CBV Ventures. The partners also anticipate a three- to fivefold increase in embedded fintech adoption within 90 days of rollout.
Push to formalise informal retail networks
The move comes at a time when India’s informal retail sector continues to face challenges in accessing formal credit systems. Kirana stores, which account for a significant share of FMCG sales in India, often rely on informal borrowing and operate without digital visibility.
Unaati is being positioned as a step toward formalising the micro-retail ecosystem, particularly in urban and peri-urban regions. Both companies have indicated plans to scale the platform to additional states following the pilot’s completion and evaluation.
CBV Ventures is focused on driving retail transformation through fintech-led platforms that bridge gaps in infrastructure, credit, and digital enablement across underserved markets. Capital Trust Limited, a publicly listed NBFC, brings decades of expertise in last-mile credit delivery and financial innovation, supporting a shared vision of inclusive growth for India’s micro-retail ecosystem.