ABOUT US

Catalyst is an initiative that sprung from a collaboration between U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of India to increase adoption of digital payments in India, using a targeted ecosystem approach.

Our vision is to realize an inclusive digital economy that meets the needs of all Indians.

CATALYST IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO PUSH THE NEEDLE

Catalyst brings a highly relevant and timely vantage point. It uses data-driven experimentation in real-life geo-economic contexts to comprehensively test, iterate, validate and scale new technologies, business models and institutional innovations that in turn can accelerate digital payment adoption among mass segments.

Phase 1

Build digital payment labs in urban and rural geographies to test and to demonstrate workable cash-light systems for consumers, merchants and suppliers, targeting a 10x boost in payment digitization rates.

Phase 2

Institutionalize and scale successful initiatives in close partnership with public and private sector stakeholders, thus crystallizing replicable models for implementation.

Catalyst is investing in three capabilities that can help scale the benefits of its Digital Payment Labs

1. Fintech for the Bottom 80
As an incubator that helps visionary entrepreneurs to build new products, processes and interfaces that address the unique needs of hundreds of millions strong as yet underserved segments

2. Data Sharing/Data Vault
As a public utility platform to ease data gathering for regulatory purposes and more efficient data exchange between front-end (e.g., points of sale) and back-end (e.g., digital lenders) players to deliver new and appropriate services (e.g., access to credit) to end users

3. Regulatory Sandbox
As a mechanism for policymakers and regulators to more effectively engage with innovators in a controlled environment, simulate and study new policy environments, develop customer protection systems, and promote policy design based on proof

CRACKING THE PAYMENTS CODE

Define

Distinct economic geographies (cities, rural clusters or small towns) where local networks of merchants, consumers, distributors  financial services providers, and governments transact with each other

Test

Technology and business models by rolling out initiatives and experiments that combine technologies, business models and institutional innovations to drive large-scale digital payments penetration

Support

Policies and regulations that enable digital payments through analyses and recommendations based on success on the ground

Scale

Successful digital payment initiatives across the country by leveraging strategic partnerships and government programs to inform and institutionalize

OUR ROLE - BOTH THAT OF A SPEEDBOAT AND TUGBOAT

Thought Leadership

Design project portfolios, partnerships, end-to-end solutions, enhanced interfaces and hypotheses to be tested on the ground

Targeted Funding

Incubation grants and USAID credit guarantees to promote entrepreneurial efforts to solve market failures

Project Delivery

On-the-ground Project Management Unit to track progress and coordinate stakeholders

Knowledge Management

Collaborative, multi-dimensional research on adoption and use of digital finance, and its long term impact

Advocacy Platform

Multisector partnerships to address key challenges, disseminate learnings, scale successful initiatives, and advocate enabling policies

EVOLUTION OF CATALYST

INITIAL LEARNINGS

BEYOND CASH

CATALYST LAUNCH

PARTNERSHIPS FOR ACTION

CASH-LIGHT JAIPUR

MERCHANT LITERACY

WATAL COMMITTEE REPORT

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