Bizom, an Indian retail intelligence company, has announced a partnership with Accion, a global nonprofit, and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the philanthropic branch of Mastercard. This collaboration is set to expand Bizom’s digital Consumer Packaged Goods (CPGs) marketplace and help over 4 million small retailers access embedded credit to support their businesses.
India is home to over 63 million MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), including 13 million kirana stores that make up nearly 75% of the consumer goods market. These small retailers often face challenges such as supply chain issues, payment delays, poor inventory management, and limited access to financing. The overall credit gap for India’s MSME sector is estimated at $230 billion.
Bizom already works with more than 8 million retailers, 200,000 distributors, and over 600 brands in the CPG market, using its SaaS platform to automate operations and provide real-time insights on product demand and sales. Distiman, Bizom’s marketplace, connects small retailers with reliable distributors and sellers, helping them source inventory effectively.
India leads in digital transformation, but small business owners must not be left behind.
Victoria White, Managing Director of Accion Advisory
Support from Accion and Mastercard
Accion provides strategic advice and investment to partners who create financial solutions for small business owners. Through this partnership, Accion Advisory will help Bizom scale its network using its Distiman app and develop credit solutions that give small retailers access to affordable financial services. This support will make it easier for retailers to buy inventory and manage their working capital needs.
Lalit Bhise, CEO of Bizom, expressed excitement about the partnership: “We believe in empowering small shops with digital tools to serve customers online. Partnering with Accion helps us reach more retailers with the right strategies and market channels.”
Victoria White, Managing Director of Accion Advisory, noted, “India leads in digital transformation, but small business owners must not be left behind. Our goal is to use Bizom’s technology and Accion’s experience to link millions of micro businesses with the digital finance ecosystem for sustainable growth.”
Vikas Varma, Chief Operating Officer at Mastercard South Asia, added, “Small retailers are vital for job creation and economic growth. They need digital tools and solutions to overcome challenges and grow. This partnership reflects Mastercard’s commitment to supporting small businesses with technology and credit access.”
Looking Ahead
This initiative is part of Accion’s collaboration with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, aiming to help over 10.5 million people, including women entrepreneurs, use digital financial services to improve their economic situation by 2026.
