DPDzero Secures $7 Million to Transform Debt Recovery with AI
In a major push to modernize debt recovery in India, Bengaluru-based startup DPDzero has raised $7 million in Series A funding. The fintech company is making waves in the financial services world by using AI to help banks and lenders recover overdue loans faster and more ethically.
This fresh funding round was led by GMO Venture Partners, SMBC Asia Rising Fund, and Blume Ventures, with continued backing from existing investors India Quotient and new participants like the Sinarmas Group.
But what exactly does DPDzero do, and why is everyone betting big on it?
What is DPDzero?
Founded in 2022 by Ananth Shroff and Ranjith B. R., DPDzero is not your typical debt collection agency. Instead of relying on outdated methods and aggressive calls, the company uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence to make the debt recovery process smarter, faster, and more respectful.
Its AI platform helps financial institutions like banks, NBFCs, fintechs, and microfinance lenders track, manage, and collect overdue payments in a way that improves recovery rates without harming customer relationships.
Who’s Using DPDzero?
DPDzero already works with several major names in the Indian finance space, including:
- RBL Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- L&T Finance
- Manappuram Finance
- Tata Capital
- Moneyview
This growing list of clients is a strong indicator of the trust financial institutions are placing in DPDzero’s AI-first approach.
How Does DPDzero’s AI Help?
Traditionally, debt collection in India has been manual, stressful, and inefficient. Borrowers often receive repeated phone calls and even home visits, while lenders struggle to track repayments and defaults at scale.
DPDzero changes all that.
Here’s what their AI platform can do:
- Predict payment behavior: Their AI models can forecast when a borrower is likely to miss payments or repay.
- Segment borrowers: The system categorizes borrowers based on behavior, making it easier to tailor the approach.
- Automate communication: It sends timely and personalized reminders via SMS, WhatsApp, email, and phone calls.
- Field agent optimization: For in-person follow-ups, it helps dispatch the right agent to the right borrower at the right time.
This kind of automation not only boosts recovery rates but also reduces stress for borrowers and saves money for lenders.
What Will the $7 Million Be Used For?
According to the founders, the new capital will be used to:
1. Expand AI Capabilities
The company wants to deepen its tech stack by improving its AI engine, making its predictions even more accurate and adaptable for different types of lenders.
2. Build a Nationwide Network of Collection Agents
While digital outreach works for many borrowers, some still require in-person follow-ups. DPDzero plans to train and deploy a large network of professional field agents who can follow ethical practices, powered by AI-guided workflows.
This hybrid approach – combining digital nudges with human interaction – could be the secret sauce to unlocking better recovery rates while staying borrower-friendly.
Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture
India’s credit landscape is booming. More people are borrowing, thanks to the rise of digital lending apps, buy-now-pay-later schemes, and small business loans.
But as more money gets lent out, the risk of non-performing loans (NPAs) also grows. For banks and NBFCs, recovering these dues without damaging customer goodwill is a huge challenge.
That’s where startups like DPDzero come in. By helping lenders recover money ethically, efficiently, and at scale, they’re playing a key role in keeping the credit ecosystem healthy.
And investors have noticed.
The Investors Behind the Round
This funding round shows strong international interest in the Indian fintech space:
- GMO Venture Partners (Japan) and SMBC Asia Rising Fund led the round, signaling global confidence.
- Blume Ventures and India Quotient, who were early believers in the startup, doubled down on their bets.
- New players like Sinarmas Group, a major conglomerate from Indonesia, also joined in.
This diverse investor mix not only brings in capital but also opens doors for expansion across Asia.
What’s Next for DPDzero?
With funding secured, DPDzero is setting ambitious goals for the next 12–18 months:
- Scale operations across India
- Double its team of engineers, data scientists, and collection experts
- Partner with more Tier-1 banks and fintechs
- Expand its ethical field collection network to smaller cities and towns
The company is on a mission to become India’s go-to debt recovery partner – one that respects the borrower and empowers the lender.
Final Thoughts
DPDzero’s rise reflects a larger shift happening in Indian finance: a move toward tech-first, borrower-friendly solutions that make debt management smarter and less stressful.
As borrowing continues to rise and financial institutions look for scalable solutions, AI-driven platforms like DPDzero could become the backbone of modern lending infrastructure.
And with $7 million in fresh funding and a growing client list, this young startup is clearly on the right track.