Fibe raises $35m from IFC to scale responsible lending

Fibe has raised $35 million in equity financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), marking a Series F round designed to strengthen its balance sheet and enable disciplined expansion of its lending portfolio. The investment reflects IFC’s focus on widening access to affordable, purpose-driven credit in India, particularly among middle-income and underserved borrowers.

The funding comes amid rising demand for short-term and needs-based credit solutions, as consumers continue to seek digital channels for emergency medical expenses, education payments, and other essential household needs. Founded in 2015, Pune-based Fibe has disbursed more than 9 million loans to date and has increasingly positioned itself as a lender for healthcare and education-linked financing.

“IFC’s investment is a meaningful milestone in our journey to make impact-led financial solutions accessible and affordable for millions,” said Akshay Mehrotra, MD & Group CEO of Fibe. He added that the capital will support product diversification across borrowing, savings, investments, and payments while maintaining focus on responsible credit outcomes.

IFC said its participation aims to strengthen responsible finance standards among digital lenders and expand access to credit—particularly for women borrowers. “FinTech companies like Fibe are at the forefront of India’s financial inclusion efforts,” said Imad N Fakhoury, IFC Regional Division Director for South Asia, noting that the partnership is intended to help households manage healthcare needs, invest in education, and build financial resilience.

Fibe has raised more than $266 million in equity to date, backed by investors such as TPG’s The Rise Fund, Norwest Venture Partners, Eight Roads Ventures, TR Capital, Piramal Finance, and Chiratae Ventures. The company has remained profitable for four consecutive years and continues to increase geographic and distribution reach, now spanning more than 940 cities through digital and partner-led channels.

The firm’s growth aligns with broader shifts in India’s consumer lending landscape, where FinTech-enabled underwriting and alternative data are reshaping access to formal credit. Fibe’s impact-linked lending portfolio also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals focused on healthcare affordability and education access, positioning the platform as part of a growing segment of socially oriented digital lenders.