Introduction
In an exclusive interaction with The Indian Startup Times, we engaged with Mr. Aditya Sahai and Mr. Yash Wardhan, the Managing Partners at SilverMile Capital, to gain insight into their investment banking philosophy, key deals, and the broader fintech landscape in India. The duo offered a compelling view into SilverMile’s vision, how they’re navigating the capital markets, and the kind of startups they believe will define the next decade.

Founded with a mission to support high-impact growth stage companies, SilverMile Capital has swiftly positioned itself as a leading investment bank in the financial services and fintech sectors. Their most notable recent deal—facilitating a $250 million fundraising round for Zolve, a cross-border fintech platform—speaks volumes about their capabilities in executing complex, global transactions. The deal included $200 million in debt from US-based credit fund CIM and $50 million in equity from international investors, reflecting strong institutional confidence in Indian fintechs.

Fintech in India: “Structured Chaos” with Enormous Opportunity
Mr. Aditya Sahai described the Indian fintech market as a “robust, competitive and agile ecosystem”—evolving rapidly amidst regulatory changes, digital adoption, and shifting consumer behavior. According to him, India’s robust tech stack, growing digital literacy, and an aspirational, community-driven population form the backbone of long-term fintech opportunity.

SilverMile is sharply focused on financial services and fintech businesses that demonstrate strong fundamentals. Their investment banking origination and execution playbook is based on stringent criteria.

“We don’t compromise on governance and compliance,” Aditya stressed. “We look for resilience in market performance, strong customer engagement metrics, and experienced teams.

Our institutional clients serve as a transformational capital provider to teams that have an unwavering drive, going after massive problems/needs at the right time with innovative solutions and business models in an endeavor to methodically construct portfolios primed for uncommon value creation in private markets.

For balance sheet-heavy companies, capital market access and sustainability are key evaluation parameters. For tech-driven ventures, the focus is on product differentiation, scalability and the founding team’s execution capability.

Strategic Expansion and Ecosystem Influence
SilverMile’s vision goes beyond transactional deal-making. The firm recently expanded its physical presence with a new office in New Delhi and is exploring Bangalore as its next strategic hub. Their practice includes capital raising, cross-border M&A, and asset management—supported by plans to build a strong internal research team.

The firm is also enhancing its investment team by onboarding senior professionals to drive their emerging markets equity strategy. This not only deepens their institutional knowledge but strengthens their ability to provide nuanced, research-backed insights to portfolio companies and clients.

“Our job isn’t just to secure funding,” explained Aditya. “We often serve as a market mirror for founders—helping them understand how their business is truly perceived by the market which includes capital allocators and customers.”

Advice for Founders: Focus on Sustainable Growth
Mr. Yash and Mr. Aditya offered practical advice to founders: focus less on chasing investors and more on building products and services that customers love and recommend to their network.

“Investor capital can get you started, but customer capital is what sustains you,” Aditya emphasized. “Founders should choose partners who bring more than just a cheque—partners who add strategic value and honest feedback.”

SilverMile is also proactive about ecosystem collaboration. The firm is in discussions with Rohit Martin, founder of Pluto’s One, underscoring their commitment to mentorship and supporting promising ventures beyond just funding.

Looking Ahead: Building Enduring Businesses in a Transforming Sector
As India’s fintech sector matures, the role of firms like SilverMile Capital becomes increasingly critical. Their deep capital markets experience, international relationships, and founder-first philosophy make them more than financiers—they are strategic partners in a rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Their ongoing expansion, commitment to research-led advisory, and clear focus on governance reflect a long-term approach that balances ambition with realism.

Conclusion
India’s fintech landscape is entering a transformative phase, characterized by regulatory shifts, increased global investor interest, and a sharper focus on sustainable growth. In this environment, SilverMile Capital stands out for its clarity of purpose, operational discipline, and partnership-oriented mindset.

From facilitating landmark deals like Zolve’s $250 million round to mentoring next-gen founders, SilverMile’s contribution is not just financial—it’s strategic, grounded, and enduring. For entrepreneurs navigating today’s complex capital environment, the message from SilverMile is clear: focus on fundamentals, build customer-first businesses, and partner with those who understand both ambition and execution.

-Interview conducted by Sandhya Bharti, Deputy Editor, The Indian Startup Times