Walrus Y Combinator-backed

First-of-its-kind platform in India offering a UPI ID and debit card without requiring the user to open a traditional bank account; described as "the Instagram version of a bank account."

App offers gamified budgeting and savings-goal features, transaction tracking, and rewards such as scratch cards that come with Bitcoin derivatives tied to the cryptocurrency's current value, plus "investment buckets" for saving toward a goal with rewards for regular savers.

India's first neobank to introduce a personalized signature-printed debit card for its age demographic, usable at retail stores and online merchants like Flipkart and Amazon, with in-app temporary lock/block controls.

Walrus launched as India's first exclusive payments app made for teenagers, aged 13-18, letting them manage pocket money without opening a traditional bank account.

Target audience later shifted to 18-24 year olds; described in a later profile as "a neobank for 16-25-year-olds" built for Gen Z's push toward early financial independence.

All transactions and account management happen through the Walrus mobile application, available on the Google Play Store (and iOS).

Users get access to 'Club Walrus,' a network for teenagers to connect with each other and with industry experts on topics like entrepreneurship, product building and digital marketing.

Walrus's prepaid debit card is issued by RBL Bank.

The Walrus prepaid card is powered by Mastercard's network.

Walrus collaborated with fintech company Zeta for its card program.

Walrus collaborated with IDEMIA, described as "the global leader in augmented identity and leading payment cards technology company," for its personalized signature card.

Co-founder Bhagaban Behera: "We wanted to build a high-engagement product and decided to focus on youth 16 and older. We could potentially sell education loans, forex cards, gaming credits, merchandise and credit cards, and help freelancers plan their finances."