The Rise of UPI Autopay and its Impact on Startups in India

The introduction of UPI Autopay by the National Payments Corporation of India has significantly impacted startups across sectors such as edtech, wellness, health tech, fintech, media, and entertainment. Startups like Speakx, Kharé Classes, and Wysa have embraced the subscription model enabled by Autopay, leading to a surge in funding. The ease of setting up recurring payments has attracted a large user base, with over 37 million Autopay mandate registrations recorded in a single month. This shift in payment behavior is reshaping business models and paving the way for new fintech and content solutions. The convenience and affordability of Autopay have made subscription-based services accessible to a wider audience, driving substantial revenue growth for companies like Seekho. While there are still challenges in managing Autopay mandates effectively, the overall trajectory is towards increased adoption and innovation in the Indian startup ecosystem.