Navigating financial complexity by democratising credit management
Like many entrepreneurs, Benley D’Cruz’s journey began by encountering a personal frustration. While trying to finance his first entrepreneurial venture, he found himself juggling multiple credit cards, each with differing interest rates, payment schedules, and online management systems. The complexity was not only overwhelming, it also highlighted a deeper issue: despite always paying his bills promptly, Benley struggled to access more beneficial, reward-based credit cards—illustrating a wider issue of financial inclusivity.
Identifying this clear gap in the market, Benley asked himself:
“How can I democratise access to credit cards in the UK?”
This question led him to found CAIRT—Gaelic for ‘card’—a fintech startup dedicated to simplifying credit management and expanding fair access to credit products.
Solution
CAIRT is designed as a single integrated platform that aggregates multiple credit card accounts, allowing users to manage their balances, payments, rewards, and terms efficiently in one central place. By providing this simplified financial management tool, Benley hopes to reduce financial stress, promote responsible borrowing, and enhance users’ access to better credit options.
Yet building a fintech solution in a highly regulated industry posed significant challenges, particularly around compliance, risk assessment, and industry standards—areas in which Benley sought targeted support.
Heriot-Watt Support
Recognising these complexities, Benley turned to Heriot-Watt University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for guidance. He joined Heriot-Watt’s Global Innovation Challenge (GIC), a comprehensive programme designed to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with essential skills in market research, product validation, financial management, compliance awareness, and investor pitching.
Over a focused ten-week training programme, Benley developed critical business capabilities, culminating in a successful pitch presentation. CAIRT was awarded ‘Best Proof-of-Concept 2023’, a significant milestone that validated the strength of his idea and boosted his confidence and market credibility.
Reflecting on the experience, Benley highlighted the personal and professional benefits of the support received:
Working with HWU’s Business & Enterprise directorate brings numerous benefits to a new business founder like myself. The support—from the guidance of Heriot-Watt’s business mentors, creative brainstorming sessions, to focused training—has been immeasurable. As a new business encountering challenges daily, the opportunity to speak to fellow founders and experienced mentors has helped me prioritise effectively and tackle urgent issues first.
Progress and Future Ambitions
Winning the Global Innovation Challenge opened important doors for CAIRT, sparking initial discussions with several banks and financial institutions. Additionally, the prize funding enabled CAIRT to develop and test a robust proof-of-concept, engaging over 100 users.
With continuous mentorship from Heriot-Watt’s entrepreneurial community, CAIRT has successfully navigated early compliance hurdles, refined its user experience, and is positioning itself strategically in preparation for future fundraising and growth stages. Benley’s goal remains clear: to transform CAIRT into a widely recognised, trusted platform that makes managing credit cards easier, fairer, and more transparent for everyone.
Benley concluded optimistically:
“It is hugely inspiring to be immersed in an environment with several other startups. Sharing ideas and learning what other businesses are striving to achieve motivates me to keep driving CAIRT forward. It is my hope to extend my residency at Heriot-Watt, continue to grow, and leverage the experience and dedication of the university’s exceptional business and enterprise team.”