Introduction
Imagine a credit card that doesn’t just help you spend money but helps you travel more. That’s the idea behind Scapia, one of India’s most exciting fintech startups, founded in 2022.
In a financial world crowded with cashback offers and confusing reward systems, Scapia has carved out a new category: a travel-first financial ecosystem that allows young Indians to convert every rupee they spend into Scapia Coins, redeemable for flights, hotels, and experiences.
Through its co-branded Visa credit card in partnership with Federal Bank and a sleek mobile app, Scapia isn’t just another credit product, it’s a gateway to smarter, more rewarding travel.
Founder & Origin Story
- Founder: Anil Goteti
- Founded: 2022
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, India
Before founding Scapia, Anil Goteti was a key leader at Flipkart, where he served as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Marketplace. At Flipkart, he led major initiatives in seller growth and category management, giving him a deep understanding of consumer behavior and loyalty economics.
After nearly a decade at Flipkart and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business Goteti identified a gap in the financial ecosystem:
India’s young professionals love to travel, but their financial systems never truly reward that passion. Scapia changes that by turning spending into an experience.
That belief, the idea of combining finance, travel, and simplicity became the seed for Scapia.
Vision and Mission
Scapia’s mission is simple yet powerful:
To make travel accessible, aspirational, and rewarding for every Indian.
While traditional banks built loyalty programs around confusing points and restrictions, Scapia envisioned a transparent, mobile-first, and emotionally engaging experience for India’s Gen Z and millennial travelers.
Vision: To empower every Indian traveler to explore the world through the power of financial technology.
The Product Ecosystem
Scapia’s ecosystem blends credit, rewards, and travel all unified within one digital platform.
1. Scapia Federal Bank Credit Card
A lifetime-free Visa credit card tailored for travel enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- 10% Scapia Coins on travel bookings
- 5% Scapia Coins on all other spends
- Zero forex markup on international transactions
- Complimentary airport lounge access
- Instant digital onboarding through the Scapia app
2. Scapia App
The all-in-one hub for Scapia users, allowing them to:
- Apply for the card digitally
- Track spending and rewards in real time
- Book flights and hotels directly
- Redeem Scapia Coins instantly for travel
3. Scapia Coins
Scapia’s loyalty currency is designed to be simple, transparent, and flexible removing the confusion common in other reward programs.
| Feature | Detail |
| Value | Fixed redemption rate (no hidden rules) |
| Usage | FliXXghts, hotels, and travel experiences |
| Validity | No expiry confusion |
| Redemption | Instant redemption via the Scapia app |
Business Model
Scapia operates at the intersection of fintech and travel, combining the margins of financial products with the scale of the travel economy.
| Revenue Stream | Description |
| Interchange Fees | Earned from Visa transactions on every card swipe |
| Merchant Commissions | From hotels, airlines, and OTAs booked through the Scapia app |
| Interest Income | From EMIs and deferred payments |
| Partner Revenue Share | With Federal Bank and travel partners |
| Add-on Services | Insurance, travel upgrades, and premium memberships |
This model ensures sustainable profitability throughout the spend → earn → redeem journey while keeping the product free for users.
Funding and Investors
Scapia raised $9 million in seed funding from:
- Matrix Partners India
- Elevation Capital
Both firms have invested in leading fintech players such as Razorpay, Uni, and Fi Money, giving Scapia strong industry backing and access to deep fintech expertise.
Growth (as of 2025)
| Metric | Value |
| Users | 1 million+ |
| Annualized Card Spends | ₹2,000+ crore |
| Cities Covered | 200+ |
| Major Partners | Federal Bank, Visa, and leading online travel agencies |
Marketing & Growth Strategy
Scapia’s growth playbook mirrors the lifestyle of its audience: young, mobile, and travel-hungry.
1. Digital-First Branding
Scapia’s campaigns on Instagram, YouTube, and X (Twitter) present credit not as a burden, but as an enabler of exploration.
2. Influencer Collaborations
Travel creators showcase how Scapia Coins turn everyday spending into real travel, creating authentic engagement.
3. Referral Engine
Gamified referral programs reward users with bonus Scapia Coins for every successful invite.
4. App Gamification
Leaderboards, milestones, and achievement badges keep users emotionally invested in earning and redeeming rewards.
5. Transparent Communication
Scapia’s core brand promises “No hidden fees. No expiry. No gimmicks.” directly addresses long-standing consumer frustration with credit products.
Competitive Landscape
| Company | Core Focus | Key Differentiator |
| OneCard | Premium digital credit | Cashback-driven |
| Fi Money | Neobank | Savings-focused |
| Uni Cards | Pay-later flexibility | EMI-driven |
| Scapia | Travel-first fintech | Seamless earn-redeem travel model |
While others compete on cashback or interest rates, Scapia dominates the travel rewards niche, where spending translates directly into experiences.
Challenges
- Regulatory Adjustments – RBI’s evolving guidelines on co-branded cards require constant compliance and adaptation.
- High CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) – Attracting young users in a competitive fintech landscape is expensive.
- User Retention – Sustaining post-redemption engagement beyond the first travel booking.
- Bank Competition – Traditional banks beginning to replicate the travel rewards model.
Future Roadmap
- Expansion into international travel and cross-border redemptions
- Launch of premium tiers with higher travel privileges
- AI-based personalization for recommendations and offers
- Potential partnerships with BNPL and global loyalty ecosystems
Ultimately, Scapia aims to evolve from a credit product into a full-fledged travel financial super app.
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
- Niche Before Scale – Scapia started by serving a clearly defined audience: Indian travelers.
- Emotional Utility Wins – Connecting financial behavior to travel aspirations created strong engagement.
- Trust Is a Feature – Transparent rewards and zero fees foster lasting loyalty.
- Partnerships Over Reinvention – Collaborating with Federal Bank and Visa accelerated credibility and growth.
- Design-Led Finance – Great UX and visual design are now as vital as interest rates in fintech success.
Conclusion
Scapia isn’t trying to become the next traditional bank, it’s redefining what credit means to a new generation. By turning everyday spending into memorable travel experiences, the startup aligns perfectly with the dreams and lifestyle of India’s young professionals.
Under Anil Goteti’s leadership, Scapia stands as a symbol of how design, trust, and partnerships can reinvent an old industry in a modern, emotionally resonant way.
If it continues on this trajectory, Scapia is poised to become India’s most beloved travel finance brand and a global case study in emotional fintech innovation.
READ MORE STARTUP CASE STUDY HERE.
