Hardika Shah is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kinara Capital, a pioneering fintech company dedicated to advancing financial inclusion for small business entrepreneurs in India. Established in 2011 and headquartered in Bangalore, Kinara Capital addresses the significant MSME credit gap by providing swift, collateral-free business loans through a blend of digital processes and doorstep customer service. The company’s innovative approach includes AI/ML-based data-driven credit decisioning and the multilingual myKinara App, which offers a 1-minute eligibility check and a fully digital process, enabling loan decisioning to disbursement within 24 hours.
A champion of gender parity, Hardika leads Kinara Capital with a women-majority management team and has incorporated inclusivity as a core value in the company’s culture. Under her leadership, Kinara welcomes professionals of varied backgrounds and identities, including persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Kinara’s also undertakes various CSR initiatives aimed at empowering women micro-entrepreneurs. To support women entrepreneurs, Hardika launched Kinara’s unique HerVikas program, which empowers women-owned MSMEs with easy access to formal credit, along with additional benefits like an upfront discount and repayment holiday.
Prior to founding Kinara Capital, Hardika spent nearly two decades as a management consultant, leading projects for global companies across the USA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Her nearly xx-year professional career is marked by impactful roles at Accenture driving major projects for international clients. During her tenure at the company, she held various leadership positions, including Pricing Architect/Deal Shaper, Global Product Marketing Lead for Embedded Software Services, and Offshore Development Center Lead. She led initiatives that significantly increased profitability, scaled operations, and enhanced client satisfaction. Her tenure at Accenture also included roles as Brand Management Program Manager and Customer Insight Program Lead, where she drove critical projects and generated substantial revenue growth for clients.
As a Social Impact Business Mentor at Santa Clara University and a Business Mentor for Acumen Fund, Hardika guided numerous social enterprises, contributing to their growth and sustainability. She also dedicated almost a decade to mentoring emerging social entrepreneurs at institutions like Santa Clara University, Stanford University, Accenture Development Partnerships, the Acumen Fund, and Columbia Business School.Hardika holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Knox College in Illinois, USA. She earned her MBA through a joint program between Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
Hardika is also deeply committed to conservation and giving back to the community. Beyond her professional endeavours, she is passionate about environmental stewardship and actively engage in community initiatives, working directly in the field to ensure the well-being of local animals. Her commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her work at Kinara Capital, reflecting her holistic approach to leadership and community care.
