Zinc, an edu-wealth startup aiming to transform how Indian families save, invest, and plan for overseas education, has recently raised $25.5 million in its seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners, with participation from Quona Capital, EDBI, Global Ventures, and Saison Capital. With this funding round, the company plans to enable it to drive product innovation and expand its offerings. The capital will also support the development of global investment tools, AI-powered university counselling, and cross-border payment solutions, all aimed at empowering families to secure their children’s futures.
Founded by Prashanth Ranganathan, Zinc believes that with the proper planning and resources, families can unlock boundless opportunities for their children, bridging the gap between aspiration and access. The platform enables families to invest and save in foreign currencies like the USD and insulates them from rupee depreciation. It ensures their savings grow in the currency of ultimate spending. It provides global investment tools that diversify savings into international markets, helping parents build robust financial plans to support their children’s education without the risk of currency fluctuations. With these critical licenses in place, the firm is set to provide a seamless, secure, and comprehensive solution for families planning overseas education.
Prashanth Ranganathan, Founder & CEO of Zinc, shared the company’s commitment to making global education financially accessible for Indian families:
At Zinc, we are addressing one of the most pressing challenges Indian families face—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 provides a comprehensive financial ecosystem that enables families to plan, save, and invest wisely across borders.
With solutions like Zinc Honors, offering USD-denominated investment tools and tailored financial products, and Ada, an AI-powered university counselling platform, Zinc helps families navigate currency risks and rising education costs. The company’s long-term vision is to become a full-stack cross-border financial services platform for Indian families, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions that address the financial complexities of global education.
Anup Gupta, Managing Director, Nexus Venture Partners, added:
India is emerging as a key geography for students pursuing global education opportunities. Nexus is delighted to partner again with Prashanth and Team Zinc in their vision to support parents and students in realizing their international education goals in a planned and transparent manner with a best-in-class combination of education advisory and financial services platform.
Zinc has also applied for a brokerage license from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in GIFT City. These licenses empower Zinc to offer personalized investment advice, secure cross-border payment services, and access global markets, all within a tax-efficient framework.
