According to government statistics, there are more than 5 million registered micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country with almost all states and union territories contributing to this huge number. These companies also need capital to grow but mostly have to be dependent on either banks or some opaque funding route. While loans from banks could be time consuming with a lot of paperwork and collateral, other avenues charge a high rate of interest and are much riskier in nature.

Vishal Devanath identified this lacuna and started his firm Smergers -- a play on the words SME and mergers -- in 2013, and today the platform boasts of more than 70,000 pre-screened businesses along with investors from over 170 countries. SMERGERS is a platform that brings together investors -- both individuals and corporates -- and SMEs that are in need of funding or even open to an outright sale.

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