Publications

Digitisation of Self-Help Groups in India

Anisha Singh, Jithin Jose, Kriti Chouhan, Parul Agarwal, Vinith Kurian | March 4, 2019

Digitisation in the processes followed by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can have significant streamlining effects. This report highlights the current initiatives undertaken within the technology space and maps the trajectory of digitisation that various promoting agencies have followed. It further identifies … Read More

Women In Business: The Many Shades Of Grit And Perseverance

In this compendium, we feature journeys of entrepreneurs from diverse sections of society and highlight the role of grit and perseverance in enabling their success.

Making Digital Finance Work for Women: Insights from an Innovative Training Program for MFI Clients

Smitha Cunigal | March 2, 2019

This brief captures insights from an awareness generation and training program for MFI clients. The publication was developed as part of a multi-year capacity building program undertaken by LEAD and Sa-Dhan (Association of Community Development Finance Institutions), with assistance from … Read More

Digital is Good for Business, Adds Value for Consumers

Catalyst | December 20, 2018

This field story captures insights from a small merchant’s experience of running an e-Mitra centre in Jaipur, and highlights the barriers in nudging customers to pay digitally at the point of sale.

Tuning into the Sound of Digital Transactions

Catalyst | December 19, 2018

This field story captures insights from a small merchant’s experience of running an e-Mitra centre in Jaipur, and highlights the potential for digitising P2B and P2G payments.

Opportunity and Growth for Small Merchants with e-Mitras

Catalyst | December 18, 2018

Catalyst engaged with select e-Mitra merchants for a pilot project to promote card payments at these centers. This field story captures insights on the opportunities for digitising payments at e-Mitra centres.

Trust in mPoS Machines is the Biggest Concern Among Merchants in Jaipur

Catalyst | December 17, 2018

This field story highlights barriers to the adoption of mobile point-of-sale machines by small merchants, drawing insights from Catalyst’s feet-on-street drive to promote PoS adoption in Jaipur.

Can Hunger for Growth Lead to Early Adoption of Digital Payment Solutions?

Catalyst | December 16, 2018

This field story highlights barriers to digital payments adoption by micro and small merchants and identifies potential use cases, drawing from the experience of a merchant in Jaipur.

Merchant Perspectives on the BHIM Experience

Mandar Kagade, Janak Priyani, Diksha Singh, Raghav Katyal | December 15, 2018

This note discusses learnings and insights from Catalyst’s pilot UPI awareness and activation campaign, followed by insights from a feedback survey that was conducted in March 2018. It provides an analytical perspective on the features that work in favour of … Read More

Digital Lending for Small Merchants: The Missing Road to the Last Mile

John Arun, Shubhranka Mondal | December 14, 2018

Lack of affordable credit from formal sources is a key factor hindering the growth of MSMEs in India. This learning note presents insights from Catalyst’s ‘Credit as a Hook’ pilot project. The pilot tested a digital payment and loan product … Read More