Nuked 
Hello, tech lovers! Today, let’s dive into the exciting journey of two young entrepreneurs revolutionizing expense management for small businesses.
Meet Aaron Bai, aged 20, and Sahil Phadnis, aged 22, who have created a platform aimed at today’s main street businesses—think pharmacies, HVAC firms, and car dealerships. Their software provides personalized expense cards and tools similar to what startups like Brex and Ramp offer, but with an added twist.
Despite numerous options from giants like American Express and traditional banks, these founders believe their product, which they term ‘v3’ of fintech, stands out. Unlike earlier versions that offered basic banking services or improved user experiences, v3 aims to give comprehensive analytics and personalized advice—something small businesses often lack.
Recently, after just six months from an initial $11 million seed, the duo secured a $17 million Series A led by Signal Fire. This funding will help develop capabilities like banking features, bill payments, cash flow insights, and integrations with enterprise systems, taking their growth to new heights.
Currently, the platform offers features such as cashback rewards, direct QuickBooks file integration, and short-term loans based on invoices. Interestingly, these young entrepreneurs didn’t follow the traditional startup path through programs like Y Combinator; instead, they met at UC Berkeley, which helped them build a strong network in Silicon Valley. Their targeted approach—focusing on niche markets like independent pharmacies—has led to rapid growth, reaching about 1,800 customers and $20 million monthly in transactions within just over a year. The goal? To hit $1 billion in transactions by year’s end.
Most income is generated through transaction fees, complemented by SaaS sales and short-term loan interest. Their revenue skyrocketed by around ten times from a million dollars a year ago, underscoring their impressive trajectory.
