Inverting the Pyramid: The Changing Face of Indian Microfinance

The Inverting the Pyramid publications present an outlook on market trends and the future growth potential of the Indian microfinance industry, supported by sample growth and financial data from the largest 70 MFIs in the country. A collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, the series caters to the growing information needs of MFIs, investors, and other microfinance industry stakeholders.

Through the first Inverting the Pyramid report in 2007, Inverting the Pyramid: The Changing Face of Indian Microfinance, Intellecap explored the status and attractiveness of Indian microfinance from an investor’s point of view. It looked into market dynamics such as demand and supply side factors and the key players – their past performance and their future potential.

Encouraged by the positive response from a wide spectrum of industry players, Intellecap published Inverting the Pyramid – Indian Microfinance: Scaling Against the Odds in 2008. This sequel captures Indian microfinance as a resilient industry, growing despite macroeconomic and operational challenges, pressure on their profitability, and the risks that come with rapid growth.

Intellecap’s Business Consulting Group helped the NGO outline the business strategy and the operational guidelines to transition to a more robust and financially viable business structure. Towards arriving at the business and operational plan, the team interacted and collected inputs from all key stakeholders including the cotton farmers, NGO staff members, ginners, spinners, and international brands purchasing the cotton.