MobiKwik

{{Infobox company

| name = MobiKwik

| logo = MobiKwik logo.svg

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{NSE|MOBIKWIK}}
{{BSE|544305}}

| foundation = {{Start date and age|2009|04}}

| dissolved =

| location = Gurgaon, Haryana, India

| area_served = India

| founders = {{ubl|Bipin Preet Singh|Upasana Taku}}

| industry = Financial technology

| products = {{plainlist|

| services =

| revenue = {{up}} {{INRconvert|875|c}} (FY24)

| net_income = {{up}} {{INRconvert|14|c}} (FY24){{cite news |title=Mobikwik reports net profit of Rs 14 crore in FY24, revenue up 62% |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/mobikwik-reports-net-profit-of-rs-14-crore-in-fy24-revenue-up-62/articleshow/112655568.cms?from=mdr |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=20 August 2024}}

| assets =

| equity =

| parent = One MobiKwik Systems Limited

| owners = {{ubl|Bipin Preet Singh (20.21%)|Upasana Taku (14.31%)|Sequoia Capital India (17.25%)|Bajaj Finance (13.86%)|Net1 Applied Technologies (10.79%)|Others (24.58%){{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Digbijay |last2=Manikandan |first2=Ashwin |title=Mobikwik files DRHP to raise Rs 1,900 crore via IPO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobikwik-files-drhp-to-raise-rs-1900-crore-via-ipo/articleshow/84348430.cms |website=The Economic Times |access-date=24 November 2021}}}}

| divisions =

| subsid =

| website = {{URL|mobikwik.com}}

| footnotes =

}}

MobiKwik is an Indian financial technology company, founded in 2009 that provides a mobile phone-based payment system and digital wallet.{{cite magazine|last=Hussain|first=Shabana|title=Mobikwik's journey and the path ahead|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/work-in-progress/mobikwiks-journey-and-the-path-ahead/39905/1|magazine=Forbes India|access-date=6 April 2015}} In 2013 the Reserve Bank of India authorized the company's use of the MobiKwik wallet,{{Cite web|title=Reserve Bank of India - Publications|url=https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/publicationsview.aspx?id=12043|access-date=2020-07-19|website=www.rbi.org.in}} and in May 2016 the company began providing small loans to consumers as part of its service.{{cite news |title=5 digital payment platforms you can use during Coronavirus Lockdown |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/5-digital-payment-platforms-you-can-use-to-make-payment-during-coronavirus-lockdown-1668921-2020-04-20 |work=India Today |date=20 April 2020 |language=en}}

In November 2016, the company reported having 1.5 million merchants using its service and a user base of 55 million customers.{{cite web|last=Srivastav|first=Taruka|date=8 June 2017|title=Digital Payments, AI and VR will power the Indian economy in future|url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/06/08/digital-payments-ai-and-vr-will-power-the-indian-economy-future|access-date=8 June 2017|website=The Drum}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/mobikwik-to-invest-300-cr-to-expand-user-base/article17355735.ece|title=MobiKwik to invest Rs 300 cr to expand user base|website=The Hindu|date=23 February 2017|access-date=23 February 2017}} The company employs over 325 people, operating in three segments including consumer payments, fintech, and payment gateway.{{Cite news|title=MobiKwik net revenue surges 134% to Rs 379 crore in FY20; eyes profits this fiscal|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/mobikwik-net-revenue-surges-134-to-rs-379-crore-in-fy20-eyes-profits-this-fiscal/articleshow/76979802.cms|access-date=2020-07-19}}

History

File:2016 Rise Conference-1.jpg

MobiKwik was founded in 2009{{Cite news|date=2019-06-10|title=MobiKwik fund transfer business grows 400%|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/mobikwik-fund-transfer-business-grows-400/articleshow/69722269.cms|access-date=2020-05-05}} by the husband and wife duo, Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku.{{cite web|author=Raghunathan, Anu | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anuraghunathan/2016/04/15/mobikwiks-upasana-taku-wants-her-payments-co-to-touch-one-billion-in-2017/#32cda4961c90 |title=India's MobiKwik Aims To Hit $1 Billion In Revenue, Says Cofounder Upasana Taku |website=Forbes.com |date=15 April 2016 |access-date=23 February 2017}} Singh, a 2002 graduate of IIT Delhi, seeded the company, developed the website and payment options, and rented office space in Dwarka, Delhi.{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/biz-entrepreneurship/seven-successful-enterprises-by-iit-graduates/bipin-preet-singhs-mobikwik/slideshow/19911445.cms |title=Seven successful enterprises by IIT graduates |website=The Economic Times |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=23 February 2017}} The initial service was a website with a closed wallet facility, but over the years, MobiKwik extended their service to mobile apps.{{cite web|url=http://www.forbesindia.com/article/work-in-progress/mobikwiks-journey-and-the-path-ahead/39905/1 |title=Mobikwik's journey and the path ahead |website=Forbes India |date=6 April 2015 |access-date=23 February 2017}} The company initially partnered with online merchants to make their wallet available as a payment option on e-commerce sites.{{cite web|last=Balanarayan |first=B T |url=http://www.medianama.com/2014/06/223-mobikwik-integrates-wallet-to-e-commerce-sites-but-skips-rbi-cashout-pilot/|title=Mobikwik integrates wallet to e-commerce sites |date=4 June 2014 |publisher=MediaNama |access-date=4 June 2014}}

MobiKwik launched a digital wallet system in 2012 that enabled users to deposit money online to use for bill payments and other features. MobiKwik's semi-closed wallet was authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2013.{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rbi-to-now-open-up-upi-for-digital-wallets-like-paytm-and-mobikwik/articleshow/57622078.cms|title=RBI to now open up UPI for digital wallets like Paytm and MobiKwik|first1=Mugdha|last1=Variyar|first2=Pratik|last2=Bhakta|date=14 March 2017|access-date=8 June 2017|newspaper=The Economic Times}}{{cite web|url=http://www.medianama.com/2013/08/223-paytm-mobikwik-allocated-prepaid-wallets-by-rbi-flipkart/ |title=Paytm, Mobikwik Allocated Prepaid Wallet Licenses By RBI; Flipkart? |first=Nikhil |last=Pahwa |publisher=MediaNama |date=12 August 2013 |access-date=29 October 2014}} They also introduced the feature of sending and receiving money via a mobile app.{{cite web|url=http://businessworld.in/article/Recharge-Pay-Through-E-Wallet/08-11-2014-69877/|title=Recharge, Pay Through E-Wallet MobiKwik's Android app is the highest rated Recharge app on Google Play |publisher=Business World |date= 8 November 2004|access-date=23 February 2017}} In September 2014, Express Computer reported that MobiKwik was partnering with GoDaddy and other international companies to help them comply with Indian payment regulations.{{cite web|last=Chakraborty |first=Sayan |url=http://computer.expressbpd.com/features/local-mobile-wallets-mobikwik-paytm-find-many-a-taker-in-global-names/ |title=Local mobile wallets MobiKwik, Paytm find many a taker in global names |work=Express Computer |publisher=Express Computer |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=23 February 2017}} In April 2015, MobiKwik claimed to have 15 million users, according to Forbes India magazine.

In 2015, MobiKwik raised $25 million in Series B funding from Chinese investment firm Tree Line Asia, Sequoia Capital, Cisco Systems and American Express.{{cite news|last=Aggarwal|first=Varun|title=Cisco, Amex & Treeline invest $ 25 million in Mobikwik|newspaper=The Economic Times|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/cisco-amex-treeline-invest-25-million-in-mobikwik/articleshow/46844029.cms|access-date=8 April 2015}} In May 2016, the company announced a $50 million Series C round, led by GMO Internet and MediaTek, along with existing investors including Sequoia and Treeline Asia.{{cite web|author=Russell, Jon|date=3 May 2016|title=India's MobiKwik raises $50M for its mobile wallet service|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/03/indias-mobikwik-raises-50m-for-its-mobile-wallet-service/|access-date=23 February 2017|publisher=Techcrunch}}

In a partnership with CashCare, MobiKwik began providing small loans between ₹500–₹2,500 to customers in May 2016.{{cite news|date=20 May 2016|title=Mobikwik wants to add financial services and offline food companies to its wallet|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/mobikwik-wants-to-add-financial-services-and-offline-food-companies-to-its-wallet/articleshow/52353042.cms|access-date=8 June 2017|newspaper=The Economic Times}} The company launched its MobiKwik Lite mobile app in November 2016, designed for users of older 2G mobile networks and for those in areas with poor internet connectivity.{{Cite web|last=Srivats|first=K. R.|title=MobiKwik launches MobiKwik 'Lite'|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/mobikwik-launches-mobikwik-lite/article9395115.ece|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Business Line|date=28 November 2016 |language=en}} In the same month, MobiKwik had over 1.5 million merchants using its service and 55 million users. Following the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation in November 2016, MobiKwik witnessed a 400% increase in financial transactions using the service by late December 2016.{{cite web | title=MobiKwik sees 400% rise in transactions post demonetisation | website=The Indian Express | date=27 December 2016 | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/mobikwik-sees-400-rise-in-transactions-post-demonetisation/ | access-date=8 June 2017}}

In August 2017, Bajaj Finance picked up 10.83% stake in MobiKwik for {{INR}}225 crore.{{Cite news|date=3 August 2017|title=Bajaj Finance Picks Up 10.83% Stakes in MobiKwik for Rs. 225 crores - TechStory|language=en-US|work=TechStory|url=http://techstory.in/bajaj-finance-mobikwik-2017/|access-date=3 August 2017}}

In 2019, MobiKwik announced a new partnership with DT One to expand their service internationally.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/17/mobikwik-international-mobile-recharges/|title=India's payments firm MobiKwik kick-starts its international ambitions with cross-border mobile top-ups|website=TechCrunch|date=17 June 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-28}} In 2019, the company began offering loans, insurance and investment advice.

In May 2020, Mobikwik was briefly removed from the Google Play Store for violation of Google's advertisement policy.{{cite news |title=Aarogya Setu link: Google Play Store removes MobiKwik, reinstates later |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/aarogya-setu-link-google-play-store-removes-mobikwik-reinstates-later-259646-2020-05-29 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Business Today |date=29 May 2020 |language=en}}

On 25 February 2021, an Indian security researcher named Rajshekhar Rajaharia claimed that a hacker group called Jordandaven stole the KYC details of nearly 100 million MobiKwik users from a company server and put them up for sale on the dark web.{{cite news|date=30 March 2021|title=Data of 10 crore Mobikwik users for sale on dark web, say cybersecurity experts|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobikwik-data-breach-personal-data-of-over-10-crore-users-allegedly-available-on-sale/articleshow/81756544.cms|access-date=31 March 2021}} On 4 March 2021, company denied the claim and said it would take legal action against the researcher. Later, multiple independent researchers and users confirmed that their Mobikwik data was available online,{{cite news|title=MobiKwik Denies Alleged User Data Leak on Dark Web|language=en|work=NDTV|issue=30 March 2021|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/mobikwik-data-leak-breach-hack-company-deny-security-researchers-update-2402351|access-date=31 March 2021}} and on 30 March 2021, TechCrunch reported that company was hiring a third-party to conduct a forensic data security audit.{{cite news|title=MobiKwik investigating data breach after 100M user records found online|work=TechCrunch|issue=30 March 2021|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/30/mobikwik-investigating-data-breach-after-100m-user-records-found-online/|access-date=31 March 2021}}

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority purchased a 2.7% stake in MobiKwik for $20 million in June 2021.{{Cite news|title=Mobikwik raises $20 million from ADIA at over $700 million valuation|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/adia-picks-up-minority-stake-in-mobikwik-at-valuation-of-700-million/articleshow/83893227.cms|access-date=2021-11-24}} The Economic Times reported that MobiKwik had reached a valuation of $1 billion in October 2021, following a secondary employee stock ownership sale led by former Blackstone India chief Mathew Cyriac.{{Cite news|title=MobiKwik turns unicorn ahead of IPO|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobikwik-turns-unicorn-ahead-of-ipo/articleshow/86967119.cms|access-date=2021-11-24}} The same year, MobiKwik filed for an initial public offering (IPO) to raise {{INRConvert|1900|c|mode=historical|year=2021}},{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Digbijay |last2=Manikandan |first2=Ashwin |title=Mobikwik files DRHP to raise Rs 1,900 crore via IPO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobikwik-files-drhp-to-raise-rs-1900-crore-via-ipo/articleshow/84348430.cms |website=The Economic Times|date=13 July 2021 }} but later deferred its IPO plans.{{cite news |title=MobiKwik to delay planned IPO following Paytm's dismal market debut: CEO |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/markets/ipo-corner/story/mobikwik-to-delay-planned-ipo-following-paytms-dismal-market-debut-ceo-313098-2021-11-23 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Business Today |date=23 November 2021 |language=en}}

In 2022, Mobikiwik suspended transactions from its e-wallet services to all major crypto exchanges in India.{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Harsh |date=2022-04-09 |title=MobiKwik Withdraws E-Wallet Services From Crypto Exchanges, Say Industry Executives |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/business/mobikwik-withdraws-e-wallet-services-from-crypto-exchanges-say-industry-executives--news-190869 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.outlookindia.com/ |language=en}}

In September 2024, MobiKwik received criticism after it suspended "anytime withdrawals" on its Xtra peer-to-peer lending platform. Investors complained that their money was being reinvested in new borrowers without their consent.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Ritu |date=2024-09-09 |title=MobiKwik Xtra suspends 'anytime withdrawals' following RBI's recent directions on P2P lending - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/business/finance/mobikwik-xtra-suspends-anytime-withdrawals-rbi-p2p-lending-new-rules-nbfc-19473020.htm |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=CNBC TV18 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Bhakta |first=Pratik |date=2024-09-05 |title=P2P investors take to social media to vent against new RBI rules |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/p2p-investors-grapple-with-amended-rbi-rules-vent-ire-on-social-media/articleshow/113068953.cms |access-date=2024-09-15 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} MobiKwik stated that the withdrawal policy was changed by its P2P partner Lendbox and that users will not be able to withdraw their money as per previous terms.{{Cite web |last=Upadhyay |first=Harsh |date=2024-09-09 |title=MobiKwik Xtra suspends 'anytime withdrawals'; draws flak from users |url=https://entrackr.com/2024/09/mobikwik-xtra-suspends-anytime-withdrawals-draws-flak-from-users/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Entrackr |language=en-US}}

In December 2024, the company launched its initial public offering and raised {{INR}}572 crore.{{cite news |title=Mobikwik IPO fully subscribed: Retail investors drive demand on Day 1 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/markets/news/mobikwik-ipo-fully-subscribed-retail-investors-drive-demand-on-day-1-124121100337_1.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Business Standard}}

Products and services

MobiKwik provides financial services including loan, accident insurance, life insurance, fire insurance, IMPS money transfer, credit card bill payment, mutual funds, and DTH recharge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/from-loans-to-mutual-funds-to-insurance-mobikwik-aims-to-tap-new-markets-1562568771357.html|title=From loans to mutual funds to insurance, MobiKwik aims to tap new markets|date=2019-07-08|website=Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-12-09}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/mobikwik-crosses-one-lakh-users-for-its-auto-recharge-feature/articleshow/54544770.cms|title=Mobikwik crosses one lakh users for its Auto Recharge feature|last=Bhakta|first=Pratik|date=2016-09-27|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-09}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/personal-finance-news/rbi-to-introduce-new-prepaid-payment-instrument-to-make-for-digital-transactions-up-to-rs-10000/articleshow/72379968.cms|title=RBI to introduce new prepaid payment instrument for digital transactions up to Rs 10,000|last=Dubey|first=Navneet|date=2019-12-06|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-09}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/business/mobikwik-max-bupa-launch-pocket-sized-insurance-products-starting-at-rs-20-2204407.html|title=Mobikwik, Max Bupa Launch Pocket-Sized Insurance Products Starting at Rs 20|website=News18|date=26 June 2019 |access-date=2019-12-09}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/imps-transaction-in-may-rises-5x-yoy-to-rs-362cr-mobikwik-4079151.html|title=IMPS transaction in May rises 5x YoY to Rs 362cr: MobiKwik|website=Moneycontrol|access-date=2019-12-09}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/mobikwikaditya-birla-health-insurance-introduce-cancer-protect-cover-starting-rs-125/articleshow/72328294.cms|title=MobiKwik, Aditya Birla Health Insurance introduce Cancer Protect Cover starting Rs 125|date=2019-12-02|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-09}}{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/mobikwiks-boostto-offer-instant-loan-in-90-seconds/articleshow/66053630.cms|title=MobiKwik's 'Boost' to offer instant loan in 90 seconds|date=2018-10-03|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-09}}{{excessive citations inline|date=December 2024}}

MobiKwik introduced a buy now, pay later (BNPL) and line of credit service named Zip partnering with Lendbox and Cashfree.{{Cite web |last=Computer |first=Express |date=2023-08-31 |title=MobiKwik collaborates with Cashfree Payments to offer its ZIP payment option to over 20,000 online retailers |url=https://www.expresscomputer.in/news/mobikwik-collaborates-with-cashfree-payments-to-offer-its-zip-payment-option-to-over-20000-online-retailers/102953/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Express Computer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-20 |title=Where can one use ZIP Pay Later by MobiKwik? |url=https://www.apnnews.com/where-can-one-use-zip-pay-later-by-mobikwik/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=APN News |language=en-US}} Its peer-to-peer lending platform called Xtra was started in partnership with Lendbox.{{Cite news |last=Bhalla |first=Tarush |date=2022-09-19 |title=MobiKwik launches investment product Xtra, scales AUM to over Rs 100 crore |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/mobikwik-launches-investment-product-xtra-scales-aum-to-over-rs-100-crore/articleshow/94287134.cms |access-date=2024-09-15 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}

References

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web | author=Das, Goutam | title=Shrinking wallets | website=Business Today | date=4 June 2017 | url=http://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/features/shrinking-wallets/story/252037.html | access-date=8 June 2017}}

{{cite web | last=Nair | first=Vishwanath | title=Is Mobikwik treading on thin ice with 'annual profit' offer? | website=Mint | date=2 June 2016 | url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/Fp8QQPcumTeY4KYKp4IgqK/Is-Mobikwik-treading-on-thin-ice-with-annual-profit-offer.html | access-date=8 June 2017}}

{{cite news | last=Kulkarni | first=Srinivas | title=Mobikwik aims to be India's top mobile wallet | work=ZDNet | date=19 August 2013 | url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/mobikwik-aims-to-be-indias-top-mobile-wallet/ | access-date=8 June 2017}}

{{cite web | last=Srivastava | first=Moulishree | title=Mobikwik launches new version of its mobile wallet app | website=Business Standard | date=12 July 2016 | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/mobikwik-launches-new-version-of-its-mobile-wallet-app-116071201295_1.html | access-date=8 June 2017}}

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