Aarush Patel, a 17-year-old student entrepreneur from Vadodara, Gujarat, is redefining financial inclusivity with his venture, Pehla Khata. Developed during The Tomorrow School’s Fall 2025 cohort, Aarush’s mission is to provide India’s millions of blue-collar workers—drivers, cooks, and security guards—with their "first chance" at financial recognition.

The Problem: Financial Exclusion of the Informal Indian Workforce

Millions of blue-collar and service workers in India—including housekeepers, drivers, and security guards—operate entirely outside the formal economy. Despite years of consistent work and the deep trust of their employers, these individuals lack a credit history or CIBIL score. This "financial invisibility" leaves them unable to obtain reasonable loans, forcing them to rely on informal lenders with predatory interest rates. As Aarush identified, the current system is unable to gauge their level of trust, creating a gap between hardworking citizens and the capital they need.

"Millions of blue-collar workers in India don't have a system in which they are recognized."

The Solution: The SaakhScore

Aarush’s innovation is the SaakhScore, a straightforward yet effective 0–100 trust-based score. Unlike traditional banking models, SaakhScore converts "regular dependability into official credit". The platform aggregates non-traditional data points to build a comprehensive financial identity:

1. Reliable Behavioral Indicators: The score tracks on-time bill payments, savings habits, and job stability.

2. Employer Verification: To ensure credibility, employers provide feedback on performance and salary consistency, accounting for 30% of the total score.

3. Direct Impact: High scores allow workers to qualify for lower-interest microloans through partner finance corporations.

"It's about giving people their first chance to be seen and understood by the financial system."

Through the Tomorrow School's guided workshops, Aarush moved from discovery to a functional MVP in just ten days. Today, Pehla Khata stands as a testament to what is possible when young innovators use design thinking to turn purpose into profit.

Aarush has already validated his model through interviews with over 25 service staff and developed a digital platform that includes employer verification to ensure data integrity.

Aarush's ambitious vision for Pehla Khata is to create a system where that works for India's often ignored informal labor force, enabling fair access to microloans and fostering long-term financial respect. Aarush’s journey exemplifies the core mission of The Tomorrow School: turning ambitious ideas into impactful, market-ready solutions.

Watch Aarush Patel's Demo Day Pitch: