Drip Capital Crosses Dollar 9 Billion in Cross-Border Trade Finance for MSMEs in India

Mumbai, Apr 27: Drip Capital, a global financial technology company building infrastructure for trade finance and B2B commerce, has crossed $9 billion in cumulative MSME trade finance transactions since its founding in 2016. The milestone highlights the company’s expanding role in supporting small businesses as they navigate global trade complexities.

As per findings by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), India’s MSME sector faces a credit gap of nearly ₹30 lakh crore, limiting its ability to scale and participate effectively in global trade. At the same time, shifting global supply chains are adding to uncertainties around logistics, payments, and buyer reliability. Drip Capital is addressing these challenges by offering integrated trade support solutions that help MSMEs manage risks and access global markets with greater confidence.

The company has facilitated $2+ billion in trade transactions in FY25-26 alone and with MSMEs contributing a significant share of this volume, Drip Capital is now targeting $11+ billion in cumulative transactions by 2027.

Sharing views on the achievement, Pushkar Mukewar, Co-Founder and CEO, Drip Capital said “Global trade today demands more than just access to capital  MSMEs need a reliable partner to navigate uncertainty, unlock the right opportunities, and manage risk effectively. At Drip Capital, we are focused on building solutions that simplify cross–border trade and enable businesses to grow sustainably despite external disruptions. Crossing the $9 billion milestone reflects the trust that MSMEs worldwide have placed in us. As India sharpens its focus on boosting exports, we remain committed to supporting their global ambitions.” 

Technology has been central to Drip Capital‘s growth. Nearly a decade of cross–border trade data, built up across 100+ countries, now powers proprietary AI and machine learning models that underwrite risk, verify trade documents, and assess buyer and supplier reliability in real time. This has allowed the company to approve financing in as little as 24 to 48 hours, a process that typically takes weeks, and to scale transaction volume without a proportional increase in operational cost. The same data and AI infrastructure also powers buyer-supplier matching on its B2B commerce platform. 

Beyond financing, Drip Capital also runs a B2B commerce platform that connects growing businesses with verified global buyers and suppliers. The platform helps businesses identify trade partners, manage cross–border transactions, and participate in international supply chains. Together with financing, this gives businesses a single entry point to both find and fund their trade, reflecting Drip Capital‘s broader role in building modern infrastructure for trade finance and B2B commerce. 

Escrow-Backed Commissions Signal Shift Toward a More Structured and Trust-Driven Real Estate Market

Bengaluru, April, 2026: In a move that could influence how brokerage transactions are structured in India’s real estate sector, Bengaluru-based developer SJR Primecorp has placed ₹2 crore in an escrow account to secure commission payouts for realtors associated with the Confederation of Real Estate Associates (India) (CREA (I)).The announcement was made on at an industry event held at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru, in the presence of senior leadership from CREA (I) and the National Association of Realtors India.

Under the arrangement, the escrow account will be jointly operated by SJR Primecorp and CREA (I). The funds are earmarked exclusively for brokerage payouts to CREA (I) members closing transactions on the developer’s projects. The amount will be replenished before depletion, ensuring continuity of payouts.

The development comes against the backdrop of a long-standing industry concern around delayed or uncertain broker commissions. By securing funds upfront, the model introduces a level of predictability and financial discipline that is not widely practiced in the sector.

Industry observers note that brokerage transactions in India have largely operated through informal arrangements, with limited safeguards. The use of escrow mechanisms—common in other financial transactions—could signal a shift toward more formal and auditable practices in real estate.

The initiative was formalised through an MoU signed between Samir Arora and Vijay Reddy, CMD of SJR Primecorp. The concept was initiated by Pradeep Joe, Chairman Emeritus, CREA (I).

More than 300 CREA (I) realtors were present at the event, along with senior NAR India leadership including Ravi Varma, Tarun Bhatia, Chandresh Vithalani, Ashish Mehta, Chetan Chopra, Ramkumar, Sivalingam, Rahul Koparwar and Ekta Jain.

“This initiative was conceived to address a long-standing gap in our industry. By securing commissions upfront, we are not just solving a payment issue — we are laying the foundation for a more disciplined, transparent, and future-ready real estate ecosystem,” said Mr. Pradeep Joe – Chairman Emeritus CREA (I).

Mr. Samir Arora, Chairman, CREA (I) and CEO, NAR India, said the move reflects evolving alignment between developers and organised realtor bodies. “When commissions are secured upfront under a jointly governed structure, it changes the nature of engagement. It moves from transactional to institutional.”

“This is a structural intervention, not a symbolic one,” said Mr. Sumanth Reddy, Chairman, NAR India. “For years, commission uncertainty has been a friction point. Locking funds in escrow brings accountability into the system and sets a benchmark others can evaluate.”

Mr. Chandresh Vithalani, President, NAR India, said the model could have wider implications if adopted more broadly. “The industry has been working toward greater transparency and professionalism. Mechanisms like escrow-backed commissions create a framework where trust is supported by process, not assumption.”

The Bengaluru market, which has seen increasing institutional participation in recent years, may provide a testing ground for such models. Whether this approach sees wider adoption across cities and developers remains to be seen.

For CREA (I), whose members are also part of NAR India, the development underscores growing institutional influence in shaping industry practices. For developers, it raises a strategic question: whether upfront financial commitments can improve channel partner confidence and sales velocity.

As the sector continues to evolve, the escrow-backed commission model may emerge as a reference point in discussions around standardising broker-developer relationships in India’s real estate market.

Crompton Launches Ameo Pro 5.5L Air Fryer with Even Heating Technology for Consistent Cooking

Hyderabad, Apr 27: The promise of healthier, oil-free cooking has made air fryers a kitchen essential, yet achieving evenly cooked, consistent results often continues to remain a challenge. Recognising this gap, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., India’s trusted name in home innovation, introduces the Ameo Pro 5.5L Air Fryer, designed to deliver a more consistent and reliable cooking experience for modern kitchens.

Air fryers have steadily found their way into Indian kitchens as a smarter, healthier alternative to traditional cooking but the experience hasn’t always matched the expectation. Uneven cooking remains the most common frustration, with users having to repeatedly pause mid-cook to check and rearrange food just to get consistent results. Add to that the noise during operation and the effort of cleaning up afterwards, and the convenience air fryers promise doesn’t always come through in practice.

The Ameo Pro 5.5L is built to change that. At its heart is Crompton’s Pro Heating Bowl – a uniquely designed structure with louvre-based airflow that enables optimised 360-degree heat circulation, ensuring food cooks evenly from all sides without the need for manual intervention. This not only enhances consistency but also reduces cooking time by up to 30%, while features such as low-noise operation and easy-to-clean components further simplify everyday use.

Key Features of the Crompton Ameo Pro 5.5L Air Fryer

The Ameo Pro 5.5L comes equipped with thoughtfully designed features that support a more convenient and consistent cooking experience:

• Even Heating with Pro Heating Bowl (Up to 30% Faster Cooking): A uniquely designed bowl structure enables optimised airflow for uniform heat distribution, ensuring consistent cooking results without the need to rearrange food
• Nutriguard Technology: Designed to support better nutrient retention while enabling low-oil cooking for everyday meals
• SilentPro Technology: Enables quieter operation at under 52 dB, making it suitable for use at any time of the day
• Instapeek Window with Integrated Lamp: Allows users to monitor the cooking process in real time without opening the appliance, helping maintain consistent results
• Easy Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe basket and tray enable hassle-free maintenance
• 11 Pre-Set Menus with Interactive Display: Offers ease of use through intuitive controls and preset cooking options

Speaking about the new launch, Ketan Chaudhari, Head – Small Domestic Appliances, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., said,

“Air fryers have seen tremendous adoption in Indian homes over the past few years, but the category has largely moved on volume rather than solving the core experience gaps. At Crompton, we felt it was time to go deeper. The Ameo Pro isn’t just another air fryer — it’s our answer to what consumers have actually been asking for: food that cooks right the first time, without the constant monitoring. The Pro Heating Bowl is the result of that thinking. Beyond performance, we’ve also been deliberate about the details that matter in daily use — the noise levels, the cleaning, the ease of operation. These may seem like smaller considerations, but they’re what determine whether a product actually stays on the kitchen counter or gets pushed to the back of a cabinet. We’re confident the Ameo Pro earns its place.”

The Crompton Ameo Pro 5.5L Air Fryer will be available at all major retail outlets (MOR/GT). Designed for busy families and working professionals aged 25–40 who prioritise health, convenience, and consistent results, the appliance brings together efficient performance, ease of use, and dependable cooking, making it a valuable addition to modern kitchens.