Valyu.ai is a Gurugram-based fintech startup that enables working professionals draw an advance on their salaries, giving them access to easy credit.

When the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many people lost their jobs and their sources of income due to the nationwide lockdown. And one of Gaurav Kumar’s ex-colleagues too was laid off, leaving his wife to deal with all the expenses by herself with her paycheck, which was not enough to cover all the essential expenses. 

When the colleague asked for financial help, no one would help him. “When left with no other alternative, his wife turned to her employer to advance her salary but wasn’t granted the request given the economic scenario. The sheer stress that this family was facing made us think about a solution, and then the idea for Valyu dawned upon us,” explains Gaurav. 

Along with Priyam Bhargava, Purna Chandra, Pramod Lamba, and Anil Siwatch, Gaurav started Valyu in June 2020 in Gurugram. Rashoo Kame, who had co-founded the company, is no longer a part of the team. 

It focuses on financial wellness for salaried employees by providing an array of financial products and services.