THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Spice Money, India’s leading rural fintech company and a subsidiary of
Digispice Technologies Limited, announced a series of strategic initiatives at
the Black Swan Summit Odisha, a Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
initiative held under the Bharat Netra programme of the Government of Odisha.
The participation reinforces the company’s commitment to advancing financial
inclusion, nurturing fintech talent, and strengthening women-led
entrepreneurship through technology-driven last-mile solutions.
As part of the summit, GFTN, in collaboration with the National
University of Singapore (NUS), launched a Certification Course in FinTech &
InsurTech, with an inaugural cohort of 195 students aimed at building a
globally competitive digital finance workforce. Demonstrating its commitment to
developing emerging talent, Spice Money recruited 29 students from this first
batch during the summit’s job fair, offering industry exposure and supporting
Odisha’s expanding fintech ecosystem.
During the summit, Spice Money signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with GFTN and the Government of Odisha’s Electronics & Information
Technology Department to explore collaborative initiatives under the Bharat
Netra project. The MoU establishes a framework to jointly advance financial
inclusion, digital literacy, and livelihood opportunities across the state
through technology-led interventions, particularly at the grassroots level.
The partnership introduces digital savings and payment solutions, including
a UPI-based wallet designed specifically for women who are new to digital
financial services in Odisha. The initiative aims to simplify access to formal
financial systems while building confidence among first-time users through
assisted fintech models.
As part of its broader innovation roadmap, Spice Money has also proposed
the use of programmable Central Bank Digital Currency (pCBDC) to the Government
of Odisha to support Mission Shakti by enabling targeted, outcome-linked
financial disbursements and enhancing transparency in welfare delivery. The
proposal highlights the potential of emerging digital public infrastructure to
strengthen governance and ensure efficient fund utilisation.
Leveraging its extensive rural network of digital entrepreneurs, known as
Spice Money Adhikaris, the company plans to digitise the entire Self-Help Group
lifecycle, from onboarding and savings to credit access and repayments. The
approach is expected to enhance financial autonomy, improve transparency, and
promote secure money management practices among women-led collectives.
Collectively, these initiatives are designed to transform traditional welfare delivery into outcome-driven empowerment by combining fintech innovation with on-ground execution capabilities, as outlined in the strategic collaboration framework.
Dilip Modi, Founder and CEO, Spice Money, said: “Our participation at the Black Swan Summit Odisha reflects Spice Money’s long-term commitment to building an inclusive digital economy where technology reaches the last mile. By partnering with GFTN and the Government of Odisha, we aim to empower Self-Help Groups, create sustainable livelihoods, and enable entrepreneurship through assisted fintech innovation. Hiring graduates from the inaugural FinTech & InsurTech program further demonstrates our belief that talent development and inclusion must progress together.”
