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Aarohi crosses Rs 1,000 crore as women-led credit gathers pace
MUMBAI: Aarohi, Godrej Capital’s women-focused lending initiative, has swept past Rs 1,116 crore in loan bookings within its debut year, signalling strong appetite for credit products designed specifically for women. Launched in November 2024, the programme has already built a Rs 552 crore asset base and brought more than 1,600 customers on board, meeting its FY26 penetration target well ahead of schedule.
The early traction highlights the size of the gap Aarohi is tackling. Niti Aayog notes that only 3 per cent of loans availed by women nationwide are for business purposes, a striking reminder of how limited credit flow remains for women entrepreneurs. Aarohi aims to shift this by offering customised lending, skill-building support and collaboration avenues that help women participate more fully in the financial ecosystem. The initiative spans what Godrej calls the four Cs: customers, channel partners, colleagues and CSR programmes.
Godrej Capital MD and CEO Manish Shah, said the milestone reflects both demand and intent. “For India to unlock its full economic potential, our credit systems must be more inclusive, equitable and intentionally designed for women. Despite their pivotal role, women continue to face structural barriers across the financial ecosystem. Aarohi aims to bridge this gap by offering fair financial access and capability-building support. When women progress, businesses grow and communities thrive.”
Godrej Housing Finance Ltd contributed 56 per cent of total bookings, powered by more than Rs 600 crore from Prime Home Loans. Godrej Finance Ltd accounted for the remaining 44 per cent, supported by over Rs 220 crore from Prime LAP.
Aarohi’s customer base mirrors its widening appeal. Salaried women using Prime Home Loans make up 36 per cent of customers yet contribute half the booking value. Women entrepreneurs represent 55 per cent of the portfolio across business loan and Lap products. Karnataka leads with more than a quarter of total customers, followed by Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.
With momentum firmly on its side, Godrej Capital plans to deepen Aarohi’s impact. The company aims to lift penetration from 10 per cent in FY26 to 16 per cent in FY27 and 22 per cent in FY28, targeting more than 10,000 customers by FY28.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
