A week of phone calls that turned into a venture
Within a week of setting out on my own, businesses started calling me about payment gateways. How passing on leads for free became The Harsmit Ventures.
Key takeaways
- I founded The Harsmit Ventures on 1 September 2025, starting with my phone ringing, not a pitch deck.
- Within a week, businesses called about payment gateways, and I was passing those leads on for free.
- THV began as an affiliate model with Cashfree and Razorpay, then added insurance, loans and services businesses asked for.
- As of November 2026, THV works with 70+ partners and has hosted events in Ahmedabad.
I founded The Harsmit Ventures on 1 September 2025. I didn’t start with a pitch deck or a five-year plan. I started with my phone ringing.
Within a week, I had several calls from businesses asking about payment gateways. People knew me as an ex-FinTech person, so they came to me with their questions. I did what felt natural: I passed every one of those leads to former colleagues and CEOs at the companies I had worked with.
The moment it clicked
After a few of these, I stopped and thought about it. I was already creating value for other people, and taking nothing back. If businesses were coming to me anyway, I could help them properly, and build something of my own at the same time.
I was already passing the leads on for free. I thought, I should build something out of this.
Starting small, with what I knew
I began with the two payment gateway companies I knew best, Cashfree and Razorpay. It was a pure affiliate model: I brought merchants to them and earned a commission. Small and simple, but real.
Insurance and loans came next, because they were close to me personally. After that, each new service was added for one reason: businesses kept asking for it.
Where THV is today
THV started operating full-time in early 2026, and revenue has come in since then. As of November 2026 we work with 70+ partners, we’ve hosted events in Ahmedabad, and we’re recognised in the city’s startup ecosystem. We aren’t where we want to be yet, but we’re growing steadily.
If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone thinking about starting something: look at what people already ask you for. That’s often the business.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How did The Harsmit Ventures start?
I founded The Harsmit Ventures on 1 September 2025, and it started with my phone ringing rather than a pitch deck. Within a week, businesses were calling me about payment gateways because they knew me as an ex-FinTech person. I passed every lead to former colleagues for free, then realised I could help those businesses properly and build something of my own.
What does The Harsmit Ventures do?
The Harsmit Ventures helps businesses with payment gateways, insurance, loans and other services they ask for. It began with payment gateways through an affiliate model with Cashfree and Razorpay, where I brought merchants to them and earned a commission. Insurance and loans came next, and each new service after that was added because businesses kept asking for it.
How big is The Harsmit Ventures today?
As of November 2026, The Harsmit Ventures works with 70+ partners, has hosted events in Ahmedabad and is recognised in the city's startup ecosystem. THV started operating full-time in early 2026, and revenue has come in since then. We aren't where we want to be yet, but we're growing steadily.