e-commerce
Paisabazaar registers a big move as new services boost self-employed access
MUMBAI: Some revolutions begin with a signature Paisabazaar begins with a registration. In its latest push to make finance less frightening and more accessible, the fintech marketplace has rolled out Udyam registration, GST registration, and GST filing services across its expanding network of retail stores. And in doing so, it is directly targeting one of India’s most credit-challenged segments, the self-employed.
For millions of small shopkeepers, freelancers, micro-entrepreneurs, and gig workers, the biggest hurdle isn’t ambition, it’s paperwork. Missing documents, patchy financial records, and low familiarity with digital processes often mean they struggle to secure loans and other financial products. Paisabazaar’s new on-ground push attempts to close this gap through a model that blends physical presence with digital ease or as the company calls it, “phygital.”
At these walk-in stores, trained experts now help consumers with documentation, advice, financial guidance, and tailored recommendations across multiple business needs. The goal is simple: to make everything from registrations to credit-linked decisions less intimidating and far more accessible.
“For self-employed consumers and small business owners, access to credit and financial products has traditionally been challenging and complex,” said Paisabazaar CEO Santosh Agarwal. “Through our phygital model, we aim to empower small businesses. This initiative aligns with our purpose Har Sapna Hoga Sach helping every Indian make smart financial decisions.”
The stores primarily cater to small business owners and shopkeepers, offering support not just for Udyam or GST-related needs but also for a wide spread of credit products. Visitors can explore business loans, personal loans, and home loans, receiving end-to-end guidance to identify the right option.
Consumers visiting these outlets can also check their free credit score, evaluate the best loan or card offers, and receive personalised advice on improving their credit health often the deciding factor in unlocking future financial opportunities.
Currently, Paisabazaar’s retail stores are operational at:
● Gurugram (Jail Road)
● Noida (Sector 15)
● New Delhi (Lajpat Nagar)
Here, consumers can avail Udyam, Aadhaar, GST registration, and get expert support for GST filing.
But this is only the beginning. With credit demand rising sharply in India’s Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, Paisabazaar plans a significant expansion into these high-growth regions. The company says the number of retail stores will increase steadily as the initiative continues to deliver positive impact among small entrepreneurs.
By turning registrations into stepping stones and consultations into clarity, Paisabazaar isn’t merely helping people fill forms, it is helping them move forward. In a country where the self-employed form the backbone of local commerce, making financial access easier isn’t just a service; it’s an economic necessity.
And as the company doubles down on its brick-and-mortar presence, one thing is clear: for many small businesses, the journey toward growth might just begin with a visit to the nearest Paisabazaar store and a little paperwork done right.
e-commerce
American Express to acquire AI startup Hyper to boost automation
Deal targets expense management as AI reshapes corporate spending tools.
MUMBAI: From receipts to robots, the expense sheet is getting a brain upgrade as American Express moves to bring artificial intelligence into the heart of corporate spending. The company has announced plans to acquire Hyper, a relatively young but fast-rising startup founded in 2022 that builds AI-powered agents capable of organising expenses, generating reports, verifying compliance with budgets and policies, and nudging users with timely reminders. The deal, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, underscores a growing shift among financial institutions to automate traditionally manual, time-heavy workflows.
Hyper counts Sam Altman among its backers, adding a layer of Silicon Valley credibility to the acquisition. While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: deepen automation capabilities and sharpen American Express’s position in the competitive corporate spending ecosystem.
The two companies are not strangers. They previously collaborated in 2024 on a co-branded credit card product, suggesting that the acquisition is less a cold buy and more an extension of an existing relationship. With this move, American Express is effectively bringing that capability in-house, aiming to embed AI directly into its commercial services stack.
Chief executive Stephen Squeri had already signalled the direction of travel in a recent shareholder letter, describing AI as a “structural shift” in how businesses operate. The Hyper acquisition appears to be a direct response to that shift, particularly in expense management, where processes such as approvals, compliance checks and reporting remain ripe for automation.
Alongside the acquisition, the company is also expanding its product suite. A recently launched business credit card offers cashback and benefits at an annual fee of $295, with another card expected later this year moves that complement its broader push into commercial services.
Taken together, the strategy points to a future where managing expenses may require fewer spreadsheets and more algorithms. For American Express, the bet is simple, if businesses are rethinking how work gets done, the tools that power that work need to evolve just as quickly.
