Bridging Advice Gap Key to Mutual Fund Success in India, Says PowerUp Money CEO

With India’s mutual fund investor base crossing 55 million, fintech startup PowerUp Money sees a massive opportunity in bridging the “advice gap” that persists among retail investors. Founder and CEO Prateek Jindal believes the future of wealth management in India lies in providing smart, simple, and personalised advisory—powered by data, empathy, and design.

“Access is no longer the challenge. The real need is for high-quality, actionable advice that doesn’t overwhelm everyday investors,” Jindal said in an interview. “With the right mix of data, design, and empathy, we can make mutual fund investing truly effortless for every Indian.”

Focusing on Advice, Not Just Access

PowerUp Money is reimagining investment advisory with an app-first, do-it-yourself (DIY) platform designed specifically for mutual fund investors. Moving away from traditional asset-under-management (AUM) based models, the platform offers affordable and commission-free guidance under its SEBI-registered RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) framework.

Its key offerings include:

• Power Mutual Funds: A free portfolio analysis tool that delivers insights in under 30 seconds.
• PowerUp Elite: A ₹999-a-year premium membership offering personalised fund recommendations, quarterly rebalancing plans, and tax-efficient strategies—without hidden fees.

“Most investors don’t need more products. They need more clarity,” Jindal noted. “Our platform helps them understand whether their current portfolio is on-track, off-track, or underperforming—without jargon.”

Data-Driven Tools for Smarter Investing

The platform’s proprietary fund rating system categorises schemes based on 20+ years of performance data, and provides simplified performance trends. It also includes tools like Portfolio vs Market, which benchmarks individual portfolios against key indices, and rolling return comparisons for deeper insights.

According to PowerUp Money, early users who followed its advice saw 3–7% higher returns than category averages, based on internal backtesting.

Mutual Funds: The Chosen Path to Long-Term Wealth

While many fintech platforms are diversifying into equities, crypto, and alternatives, PowerUp Money has taken a deliberate decision to focus solely on mutual funds—India’s most regulated and accessible investment avenue.

“Mutual funds offer professional management, diversification, and SEBI oversight. With SIP inflows hitting a record ₹27,269 crore in June 2025, it’s clear that Indian investors are serious about long-term wealth creation,” Jindal said.

Building for Scale with AI and Personalisation

By leveraging AI models to simulate real-world investment scenarios—taking into account SIPs, redemptions, and user behavior—the platform aims to deliver personalised recommendations at scale, something traditional advisors have struggled to do.

PowerUp Money plans to soon enable mutual fund transactions directly within the app and will offer managed services for investors who prefer a more hands-off approach.

Aiming for 10 Million Users by 2028

With the Indian mutual fund industry projected to double to ₹150 lakh crore AUM by 2030 and investor base expected to cross 10 crore, PowerUp Money wants to become the default advisory platform for millions of Indians.

“Our goal is to serve 10 million users in the next three years,” said Jindal. “We want every investor—whether beginner or seasoned—to feel as confident and empowered as the top one per cent.”