Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has made a strategic investment in LEO1, an edu-fintech startup formerly known as Financepeer. The announcement came on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for LEO1 as it aims to address long-standing cash-flow issues in educational institutions and provide innovative financial solutions for students across India.
Founded in 2018, LEO1 has been at the forefront of integrating financial technology with education. The company plans to use Sharma’s investment to drive further innovation, enhance its technology, and expand its services.
In a statement, Rohit Sharma expressed his excitement about partnering with LEO1. “I am thrilled to support LEO1 in its mission to revolutionize learning and make quality education accessible to everyone,” said Sharma. “Their approach, unwavering commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit are truly inspiring as they work to positively impact the lives of aspiring students and their parents. This partnership presents an incredible opportunity for me to back initiatives that can make a significant difference for an entire generation.”
LEO1 has successfully raised $35 million (approximately ₹291 crore) through two investment rounds over the past three years. The company’s latest product, ‘Financial SAAS,’ offers a comprehensive solution to streamline financial transactions in the education sector.
Rohit Gajbhiye, founder and CEO of LEO1, highlighted the impact of Sharma’s endorsement on the team. “We aim to instill a crucial discipline within the education sector. Irregular cash flow often leads to excessive efforts focused solely on fee recovery over other important developments,” said Gajbhiye. “This is an ancient problem for institutes across the country. Given that education constitutes a significant portion — 15-20 percent — of household earnings, parents and students often lack sufficient motivation to make timely payments. LEO1 addresses these challenges through our ‘Financial SAAS’ model that encourages responsible financial behavior.”
Gajbhiye also expressed gratitude towards Sharma, stating, “Rohit Sharma’s endorsement has infused our teams with tremendous enthusiasm to deliver outstanding work. We draw inspiration from many of Rohit Sharma’s qualities. With his support as our brand ambassador and now as a valued investor, I am confident that we will become even more efficient and motivated. I foresee a promising future for LEO1. I express gratitude to all our investors and extend a warm welcome to Rohit into our community.”
