Entrepreneur with Roots in Kurukshetra Pankaj Bajaj Feted by Haryana Cabinet Minister Rao Narbir Singh

Chandigarh, June 28, 2025: In a remarkable show of encouragement towards emerging startups, Haryana's Cabinet Minister of Commerce and Industry, Rao Narbir Singh, has awarded a Letter of Appreciation to Pankaj Bajaj, CEO of ReFinserv, for his outstanding contribution and innovation in the automotive lending sector, particularly in Haryana's Tier 2 & 3 cities.

In a proud moment for the innovative start-up, Rao Narbir Singh handed over the letter of recognition in person — a gesture that reflects the state government’s proactive approach towards uplifting home-grown innovation. Rao Narbir Singh praised not only the leadership but also the entire team and board of directors at ReFinserv. He highlighted how the start-up’s model is an excellent example of “for Bharat, by Bharat” innovation — one that is both scalable and socially impactful. The Minister acknowledged ReFinserv’s deep understanding of Bharat’s ground realities and its commitment to bridging financial inclusion gaps.

After receiving the honour, Pankaj Bajaj who hails from a humble background gave credit to his parents for this achievement. Commenting further, he said, "This indeed is a proud moment for Kurukshetra - my home town. This recognition from Haryana's Commerce and Industry Ministry is a testament to the efforts of start-ups like ReFinserv that are solving real-world problems with home-grown technology, domain expertise, and a deep passion for change. By appreciating and encouraging such ventures, the Haryana Government is setting a precedent in building a robust, inclusive, and growth-oriented startup ecosystem."

Pankaj shared his entrepreneurial journey with the Minister. He said that he was deeply rooted in his connection to the region and that after a successful and decorated corporate career in Bengaluru, he took a bold step by leaving behind the metro life to return to his roots — determined to build something meaningful for the people of his home state and beyond. 

Notably, ReFinserv, a bootstrapped fintech start-up headquartered in Chandigarh, has rapidly made a name for itself in the auto finance enablement space, especially across Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural India. The company has been instrumental in making car loans, refinancing, and top-up loans more accessible and transparent for the underserved segments of the country.