Led by Nexus Venture Partners, Zinc to use the capital to secure key financial licenses, expand product development, and launch custom investment solutions for Indian families

Bengaluru: In its mission to transform how Indian families save, invest, and plan for overseas education, Zinc, an edu-wealth startup, has raised $25.5 million in its seed round. Led by Nexus Venture Partners, with participation from Quona Capital, EDBI, Global Ventures, and Saison Capital, the round will enable Zinc to drive product innovation and expand its offerings. The capital will support the development of global investment tools, AI-powered university counseling, and cross-border payment solutions, all aimed at empowering families to secure their children’s futures.

India’s demand for global education is accelerating, with 2 million Indian students expected to study abroad by 2025. However, while 78% of Indian parents aspire to send their children overseas, many struggle to fund these dreams, as per a recent industry report. The costs of tuition, rent, and living expenses in foreign countries are steep, and the depreciating rupee – down 9.9% against the US Dollar (from ₹76.38 to ₹83.93 from 2020 to 2024) – only exacerbates the financial challenge.

Most families rely on general savings or take on debt, often without structured financial tools that would help them invest and save in the currencies where their expenses will be. The gap between saving in rupees and spending in dollars leaves families vulnerable to currency fluctuations and rising education costs, creating long-term financial stress.

Zinc’s core mission is to help families build what it calls “edu-wealth” – a financial foundation tailored specifically to meet the rising costs of overseas education. As a first step, the company has launched Zinc Honors, a holistic product suite that provides all-in-one support for your child’s education dream. Integrated into this platform is Ada, Zinc’s proprietary AI-powered edu-counselor, which is designed to provide comprehensive support and guidance to young aspirants in India.

Prashanth Ranganathan, Founder & CEO of Zinc, explained the company’s commitment to making global education financially accessible for Indian families. “At Zinc, we are addressing one of the most pressing challenges faced by Indian families—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’s about providing a comprehensive financial ecosystem that enables families to plan, save, and invest wisely across borders.”

Zinc’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. The company has obtained approval for the RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) license from SEBI and an in-principle approval for the PSP (Payment Service Provider). Additionally, the company 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 to global markets, all within a tax-efficient framework.Lucknow Investment

Prashanth further added, “We are building a future where families no longer have to worry about the complexities of managing cross-border payments and investment products. Our full suite of services is designed to empower Indian parents with the right tools to invest confidently in their children’s education while mitigating the financial pressures associated with studying abroad. We are excited to take the next big step in expanding our offerings, setting new industry standards for cross-border financial solutions.”New Delhi Wealth Management

Anup Gupta, Managing Director, Nexus Venture Partners said “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 global education goals in a planned and transparent manner with a best-in-class combination of education advisory and financial services platform.”

By enabling families to invest and save in foreign currencies like the USD, Zinc insulates them from rupee depreciation and ensures their savings grow in the currency of ultimate spending. The platform 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 fluctuationsIndore Investment. With these critical licenses in place, Zinc is set to provide a seamless, secure, and comprehensive solution for families planning overseas education.