Edu-wealth startup Zinc raises $25.5 million in seed funding led by Nexus VP, others

Edu-wealth startup Zinc, dedicated to helping families financially prepare for their children’s overseas education, has raised $25.5 million in a seed funding round.

This funding round was led by Nexus Venture Partners and saw participation from investors including Quona Capital, EDBI, Global Ventures, and Saison Capital.

Funds to drive innovation and expand offerings

Founded by former PayU Credit Chief Executive and PaySense founder Prashanth Ranganathan, Zinc plans to use the newly acquired funds to accelerate product innovation and expand its service portfolio. 

With a focus on providing financial support for education, the startup will develop tools to facilitate global investments, AI-powered university counseling, and secure cross-border payments.

It aims to empower families by building what it calls "edu-wealth," a financial foundation specifically for managing the rising costs of international education.

Launch of Zinc honors and AI-driven counselor, Ada

One of Zinc's flagship products is Zinc Honors, a comprehensive support platform for families aiming to send their children abroad for studies. Integrated within this suite is "Ada," an AI-powered counselor designed to guide students and families through the complexities of international education planning.

Ada is available online and through partnered counselors in various cities, providing extensive support that includes personalized advice and financial planning tools. 

Zinc also offers global investment options that allow parents to save in foreign currencies, shielding their savings from rupee depreciation and offering the security of investing in the currency they will ultimately spend.

"At Zinc, we are addressing one of the most pressing challenges faced by Indian families—navigating the rising costs of international education. In today’s rapidly changing financial landscape, it’s crucial to move beyond traditional rupee-based savings and adopt global strategies that protect against currency fluctuations and inflation. Zinc is not just about connecting students to the right universities; it’s about providing a comprehensive financial ecosystem that enables families to plan, save, and invest wisely across borders," Ranganathan said. 

Regulatory approvals for financial services expansion

To further strengthen its platform, Zinc has obtained a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) license from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and an in-principle approval to operate as a Payment Service Provider (PSP).

Additionally, the startup has applied for a brokerage license from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in GIFT City.

These licenses will enable Zinc to offer specialized investment advisory services, facilitate cross-border payments, and grant access to global financial markets.

Investor comments

Anup Gupta, Managing Director of Nexus Venture Partners, said, "India is emerging as a key geography for students pursuing global education opportunities. Nexus is delighted to partner with Prashanth and Team Zinc in their vision to support parents and students in realizing their global education goals in a planned and transparent manner with a best-in-class combination of education advisory and financial services platform.”