We are Nivasa Finance, on a mission to make affordable housing finance accessible to everyone. We’re not just about providing loans but empowering individuals and families to build their dreams, one home at a time.
Our foundation is the belief that simplicity, trust, and empathy can transform the housing finance industry and the lives of millions.
The Foundation Team
Samit Shetty
Founder and CEO
Samit Shetty, the Founder and CEO of Nivāsa Finance, is at the forefront of driving innovative solutions in housing finance. With a wealth of experience, he has successfully led various ventures, including Vice President of Strategy and M&A at Navi Technologies and as CEO of Navi Finserv, where he pioneered digital personal and housing loans.
During his tenure at Chaitanya India Micro Finance, Samit was pivotal in transforming the company from a startup to a prominent industry player, eventually guiding its acquisition by Navi Technologies. His leadership extends beyond finance, with previous roles at Olam International showcasing his diverse skill set.
Samit's educational background includes a PGP from IIM Ahmedabad and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from Bangalore University.
Nayan Ambali
Co-founder, Design | Technology | Product
Nayan Ambali is the Co-Founder of Nivasa Finance and a pioneer in fintech innovation, with over a decade of experience building transformative financial platforms. As the co-creator of Mifos X and Apache Fineract, the world’s most popular open-source core banking and lending systems, Nayan has redefined financial inclusion on a global scale. He later founded Finflux, an API-first lending platform that has powered India’s leading fintechs, NBFCs, and digital-first products in major banks, serving over 25 million borrowers across 15 countries before being acquired by M2P Fintech in 2022.
With a proven history of building and scaling companies like Rupai Finance, a digital-first fintech acquired within 18 months. A passionate advocate for open-source collaboration, he continues to contribute actively to global open tech communities. At Nivāsa Finance, he leads product and technology strategy, ensuring innovative solutions that make housing finance simple, accessible, and transformative.
Vishwanath Bhat
Co-Founder and COO
Vishwanath Bhat co-founded Nivāsa Finance, and leads business strategy and growth at Nivasa Finance, driving customer-centric solutions and partnerships to make housing finance more accessible. Previously, he held the position of Head of Micro Mortgage HL&LAP at Suryoday Small Finance Bank, overseeing product development and strategic planning.
Prior to his role at Suryoday, Vishwanath served as Head of Retail Finance at CreditAccess Grameen Limited for five years, where he demonstrated expertise in market research and distribution strategies. His leadership experience also includes positions at Axis Bank, where he played key roles such as Head of Affordable and Rural Housing and Head of New geographies, driving significant growth in new markets for the bank.
Vishwanath holds a B Tech from the National Institute of Technology Calicut.
I V Swaroop Somanna
Technology Evangelist
Swaroop Somanna is a Technology Evangelist with a strong background in designing and developing products for Core Lending Suite (CLS) and API-driven fintech solutions. At M2P Fintech, he played a key role in the design and development of the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) Loan Management System and successfully led its implementation across multiple financial institutions. Swaroop's expertise in bridging technology with business needs, along with his experience in scaling fintech solutions, makes him a valuable addition as we drive innovation in affordable housing finance.
Emmanuel Sebastian
Design and Content Alchemist
Emmanuel is a design and content alchemist who approaches problems with the precision of a craftsman and the insight of a strategist. Rooted in a design-first philosophy, he brings a rare blend of creativity and method, driven by a purpose to solve real problems. Emmanuel’s work is where art meets analytics—combining market research, user experience insight, and data-driven approaches to create designs that don’t just look good but work brilliantly. He’s the kind of designer who doesn’t just sketch solutions; he architects them, ensuring every pixel and word serves a purpose.
Sowmya K
Culture, People & Purpose
Champion
Sowmya is a Culture, People, and Purpose champion who brings 15 years of experience in building processes, managing people, and ensuring seamless compliance. With a knack for balancing structure and empathy, she creates systems that empower teams while fostering a strong sense of purpose and belonging. Sowmya’s expertise lies in translating organizational goals into actionable frameworks, ensuring that people and processes align harmoniously to drive results. She’s not just about keeping things running smoothly—she’s about creating a culture where people thrive.
Clarity Over Complexity
Financial solutions should be easy to understand and access.
Empathy at Every Step
We put people at the centre of every decision.
Integrity Without Compromise
Trust and transparency are the foundation of everything we do.
Innovation as a Way of Life
We constantly embrace technology to improve and evolve.
Collaboration for Impact
We put people at the centre of every decision.
Our Culture
Outcome-Driven
We focus on results, not excuses.
Transparent
We value honesty and welcome feedback.
Supportive
We build people as much as we build systems.
Explorative
We encourage experimentation, creativity, and bold thinking.
