Q] Paddy could you just walk us through the concept of SpendVesting?
Paddy: SpendVesting is a concept introduced by Multipl that bridges the gap between investment and consumption. While mutual fund investments have been growing in India, and consumer spending - on travel, gadgets, and luxury items - is rising, these two trends have largely remained separate. Multipl aims to integrate them by encouraging individuals to invest in mutual funds specifically for their planned expenses.
By doing so, consumers not only benefit from potential returns on their investments but also unlock exclusive discounts from top brands through Multipl’s partnerships. This dual advantage—investment growth plus brand savings—makes SpendVesting a smarter and more efficient way to manage spending while maximising financial gains.
Q] Revant, on Instagram, we know you as the Health Guru, someone who speaks about nutrition, health awareness, and health consciousness. So, how did this space, which is different from your Instagram persona, interest you?
Revant: On Instagram, people primarily know me for health, but what many don’t realise is that my background is actually in finance. I did my undergraduate studies in finance at NYU Stern, and later earned my MBA from Wharton, also specialising in finance. Throughout my career before entering the food and pharma space, I worked in investment banking and other finance-related roles. While health is a passion of mine, finance has always been a core part of my journey.
I often say in my videos that India struggles with health literacy, but just as importantly, we also face a significant gap in financial literacy. Many people, including my followers, fall into the EMI trap—purchasing things they can’t truly afford, whether it’s vacations, jewellery, or other big-ticket items, under the assumption that paying in small monthly installments makes it manageable. However, this mindset leads to poor financial decisions.
This is where Multipl comes in. It helps those who may not be as financially aware make smarter financial choices and avoid the pitfalls of unnecessary debt. Multipl empowers people to make better financial decisions, which is why I personally recommend it.
Q] With the recent SEBI crackdown on finfluencers and using stock tips for educational purposes, how difficult has it become to navigate this space where you are bringing awareness about finance to people?
Paddy: Revant’s alignment with Multipl makes perfect sense because, just as he simplifies health and promotes the right choices for consumers, Multipl does the same for finance. He is trusted for his honest, consumer-first approach, and that aligns with our mission—to help people spend and invest wisely. We fully acknowledge SEBI’s regulations for influencers and ensure we stay within ethical guidelines. Our focus is not on pushing specific stocks or mutual funds but on promoting the concept of smart financial planning. Just as ‘Mutual Funds Sahi Hai’ emphasises the benefits of investing, we extend that logic to spending—helping people invest for their expenses instead of falling into the EMI trap. This ensures a financially healthier life while staying aligned with regulatory standards.
Q] Revant, from an influencer perspective, how different is what you do now in comparison to your usual videos?
Revant: While I usually talk about health, this is a finance-related topic, making it a bit different from my usual content. However, I’m not offering stock market tips or financial advice. I’m not shifting into finance influencing or conducting finance-related classes, which is where many influencers run into trouble. This isn’t about me—it’s about highlighting a company that helps Indians build better investment and saving habits. I’m just supporting their mission by sharing their work.
Q] Paddy, what is one USP of your brand?
Paddy: Multipl is a true category creator—there’s no comparable product, not just in India but globally. While people invest and spend separately, no platform has integrated both to help users invest specifically for their planned expenses. As of today, we have no direct competitors in this space. Our core USP aligns with Revant’s point: helping people avoid the EMI trap while still enjoying life—whether it’s travel, gadgets, or shopping—at a 20% lower cost. What sets us apart is that we don’t require a major behavioural shift. Indians often make last-minute spending decisions, especially for travel, so we designed Multipl to work seamlessly. Users can invest in advance and redeem their investments when they’re ready to spend.
Q] Revant, moving back to you. What kind of engagement or response have you received from your audience regarding this partnership and Multipl?
Revant: Initially, my audience took some time to understand the concept, as no other company has done this before. There was some uncertainty about how it works. However, once they became more familiar with it, their response was very positive, and those who tried it had a great experience. The only challenge was the initial lack of clarity about how the company operates, which is why I created a few educational videos to explain it better.
Q] What do you think India lacks in terms of finance education?
Paddy: Revant highlighted a key issue in India—both health and financial illiteracy. Many people are unaware of the differences between distributors and advisors, or even the range of options within mutual funds. For example, there are debt funds, liquid funds, and various types of equity funds like small cap, mid cap, and flexi cap. This lack of understanding leads to two problems: either people avoid investing because it seems too complicated, or they enter without the right knowledge and make regrettable decisions. This is where financial guidance comes in.
Q] What do you think is the future of finance in India?
Revant: Until we start teaching finance in schools—not just to commerce students but to every student from a basic level starting in class 5 or 6—I don’t think financial literacy in India will improve. Students should learn the fundamentals of personal finance, like saving money, understanding fixed deposits, inflation, and the differences between various types of income. These concepts should be a part of the school curriculum, as important as subjects like history and geography. Without this foundational education, financial literacy in India will remain a challenge.
Q] Paddy, how do you think Multipl positions itself in this growing market?
Platforms like Multipl, along with regulatory bodies, play a key role in ensuring checks and balances to avoid scams. This ongoing battle, much like the virus-antivirus dynamic, helps maintain trust in the system. Trust is a big issue in finance, and overcoming it is essential for better decision-making. At Multipl, we don’t discourage aspirational goals like travelling or buying gadgets, but we encourage doing it the right way. Our goal is to help people make smarter financial decisions, avoid mis-selling, and contribute to building a healthier financial ecosystem. The more businesses and individuals think this way, the better it will be for everyone.
