TransBnk Raises $25M to Bridge India’s Corporate Banking and Fintech Divide
Evolving landscape of India’s financial sector, where consumer fintech has surged ahead with seamless digital experiences, corporate banking has often lagged behind, mired in outdated processes and fragmented systems. Enter TransBnk, a Mumbai-based startup that’s poised to change this narrative. On August 28, 2025, TransBnk announced a significant milestone: securing $25 million in Series B funding to accelerate its mission of modernizing transaction banking infrastructure and bridging the divide between traditional corporate banking and innovative fintech solutions. This funding round, led by Bessemer Venture Partners and supported by a consortium of investors including Arkam Ventures, Fundamentum Partnership, 8i Ventures, Accion Venture Lab, and GMO Venture Partners, underscores the growing confidence in TransBnk’s ability to transform India’s financial ecosystem.
Founded in 2022 by a team of seasoned banking professionals—Vaibhav Tambe (CEO), Lavin Kotian, Sachin Gupta, and Pulak Jain—TransBnk emerged from the founders’ firsthand experiences in the trenches of traditional banking. Vaibhav Tambe, with his background in corporate banking at institutions like HSBC and YES Bank, recognized the inefficiencies plaguing enterprise transactions. “During our banking days, we saw how outdated systems hindered efficiency,” Tambe reflected in a recent statement, highlighting the inspiration behind TransBnk. Similarly, co-founders Kotian, Gupta, and Jain brought expertise from roles in operations, technology, and finance, pooling their knowledge to create a platform that addresses these pain points head-on.
At its core, TransBnk operates as an API-led transaction banking infrastructure provider, offering a “single-window” platform that connects fintechs, corporations, and banks seamlessly. This model allows for efficient onboarding, automated payments, reconciliations, and escrow management, all through modular, opex-led solutions that reduce the need for heavy capital investments. Unlike traditional banks that rely on legacy systems, TransBnk’s infrastructure is designed for the digital age, enabling faster, more transparent, and compliant operations. For instance, its escrow-as-a-service, partnered with banks, has enabled startups and lenders to onboard clients in days rather than months, fostering innovation in sectors like lending, wealth-tech, and cross-border payments.
The divide between corporate banking and fintech in India is stark and well-documented. While consumer fintech has exploded—think UPI transactions surpassing 10 billion per month and apps like PhonePe and Paytm revolutionizing retail payments—corporate banking remains bogged down by manual processes, siloed data, and regulatory hurdles. According to industry reports, India’s fintech sector attracted over $35 billion in investments by 2022, yet corporate segments lag due to inadequate infrastructure and digital literacy gaps. Challenges include financial exclusion in rural areas, gender disparities in access, and risks associated with integrating new technologies into established banking frameworks. TransBnk steps in as a bridge, providing the missing link: a robust API ecosystem that allows traditional banks to adopt fintech agility without overhauling their entire operations.
Since its inception, TransBnk has demonstrated impressive traction. The company has integrated with over 40 leading banks, including private, public, multinational, and small finance institutions. It now serves more than 220 clients, who collectively access nearly 1,500 APIs monthly. This adoption has translated into strong financial performance; TransBnk reported revenues of ₹2.68 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2024 and claims to have achieved double-digit million-dollar annual revenue within just 24 months of launch. Remarkably, the startup is already capital-efficient and profitable, a rarity in the high-burn world of fintech. These metrics highlight TransBnk’s value proposition: delivering scalable solutions that drive efficiency and reduce fragmentation in corporate banking.
The $25 million Series B round builds on previous investments, including a $4 million Series A in August 2024 led by 8i Ventures and a $1 million seed round in June 2023. With 8i Ventures remaining the largest external stakeholder and the founding team holding significant equity, the company’s governance reflects a commitment to long-term vision. Investors are bullish on TransBnk’s potential. Vishal Gupta, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, stated, “Their deep industry expertise makes them best placed to disrupt corporate banking and transaction banking in India, making it more seamless and reducing fragmentation. We are confident that TransBnk will bring the same transformative spirit and user delight to the corporate and transaction banking ecosystem.” This endorsement from Bessemer, which invested from its $350 million India-focused fund, signals strong belief in TransBnk’s role in reshaping the market.
Looking ahead, TransBnk plans to deploy the fresh capital strategically. A key focus is geographical expansion, targeting Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where similar gaps in corporate banking exist. Vaibhav Tambe elaborated, “Series B is a massive growth catalyst—fueling our roadmap to scale, innovate, and set new benchmarks in global transaction banking. Our proprietary tech Infra is already powering leading NBFCs, Fintech players, Banks, Corporates and we are now expanding this across BFSI, Mid-Corporate & SMEs.” Additionally, the funds will bolster technology and product teams, enhancing capabilities in AI-driven reconciliations, advanced escrow features, and compliance tools to meet evolving regulatory demands.
The broader implications of this funding extend beyond TransBnk. India’s fintech ecosystem is at a pivotal juncture, with the government pushing initiatives like Digital India and the RBI’s regulatory sandbox fostering innovation. However, risks such as cybersecurity threats and integration challenges persist, as noted in recent studies on fintech-bank relationships. By addressing these, TransBnk not only aids enterprises but also contributes to financial inclusion, particularly for SMEs and mid-corporates that have been underserved.
Social media buzz around the announcement has been positive, with industry watchers hailing it as a step toward making India’s corporate banking “digital-first.” Posts on X (formerly Twitter) emphasize the potential for global export of Indian fintech infrastructure, with comments like “Fintech infra is quietly becoming India’s next big export.” This sentiment echoes the startup’s ambition to position itself as an operating system for corporate banking tech.
TransBnk’s $25 million raise is more than just capital—it’s a catalyst for bridging a long-standing divide in India’s financial sector. By leveraging API-driven innovation, the company is set to modernize corporate banking, empowering fintechs and enterprises alike. As India cements its place as a global fintech hub, startups like TransBnk will play a crucial role in ensuring that corporate banking catches up to the consumer revolution. With strong investor backing and a clear roadmap, TransBnk is well-positioned to lead this transformation, potentially setting new standards not just in India, but across emerging markets.
