Empowering the Everyday Investor and Reshaping Financial Freedom for Everyone!
Access to financial markets remains an illusion for most people, partly because of the complexity and high prices that create a stumbling block to accessing these markets. For many, investing seems to be in a class of its own, as if only a few chosen will ever catch a glimpse of all that is happening and where money is either made or lost. However, there are people looking to switch this narrative. One such entrepreneur is Ishant Ayadassen.
During a life-changing trip to Mauritius, Ishant witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by everyday investors. Inspired by the success of platforms like Robinhood in the United States, he resolved to create a solution that would empower individuals in his homeland and beyond. Thus, Zunko was born, a groundbreaking fintech platform designed to democratize trading and make investing accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial background.
As Founder and CEO of Zunko, Ishant has successfully built a community of over 3,700 eager customers on its waitlist and facilitated more than 10,000 trades through an innovative paper trading feature. His mission transcends mere profit; it’s about adopting financial literacy and creating sustainable wealth. By dismantling traditional barriers such as exorbitant fees and cumbersome processes, Ishant is paving the way for a new generation of retail investors in Mauritius and across Africa. With Zunko leading the charge, the dream of financial empowerment is no longer out of reach, it’s becoming a reality for many.
Here are some interview highlights:
Can you please introduce yourself and your motivation to embark on this sector?
Driven by a passion for innovation and problem-solving, I’ve always sought to tackle complex challenges. My journey into the financial sector began during a holiday in Mauritius, where I attended a conference that introduced me to the stock market.
While eager to invest, I was struck by the high fees and numerous barriers that prevented everyday people from participating. This experience opened my eyes to the need for more accessible trading solutions.
Upon returning to the USA, I discovered Robinhood, a platform that made trading simple and affordable. Inspired by this model, I became determined to bring a similar solution to Mauritius and Africa.
However, I knew I needed more skills and experience, so I dedicated myself to learning the market, eventually funding my final semester of university through trading. This journey solidified my mission to democratize capital ownership and give everyone, regardless of their financial standing, access to global markets.
Could you please give a brief introduction to your company and its inception story?
Zunko was born out of a desire to level the playing field for retail investors, particularly in Mauritius. Despite the country’s small size, we attracted over 3,700 users on our waitlist and have seen over 10,000 trades placed on our paper trading app, all achieved with a modest marketing budget, reflecting the strong demand for accessible financial tools in smaller markets.
The idea for Zunko took shape after my time in the USA, where I started trading with Robinhood. My experience funding my university studies through trading demonstrated the power of accessible financial tools. After returning to Mauritius, I realized the local market wasn’t ready, but the need was undeniable.
With a background in financial advisory, I decided to quit my job and fully commit to launching Zunko. Today, Zunko focuses on stock trading, with plans to potentially expand into crypto, bonds, and forex in the future. Our broader mission is to help people move beyond working solely for money and promote wealth creation through the concept of binary economics.
Can you elaborate on the unique features of Zunko’s trading platform that differentiate it from existing competitors?
In Mauritius, Zunko stands out by being the first app-based trading platform of its kind. Many local brokers still rely on manual processes like emails and phone calls to place trades, but Zunko eliminates this friction by allowing users to trade directly from the app, anytime, anywhere. Our platform also provides access to over 35,000 stocks across major international financial markets, including ETFs, with trading available 24/7.
We’ve made it easier for retail investors by lowering deposit minimums and removing unnecessary barriers. Our users can view individual stock charts, manage their portfolios, and place trades well beyond regular working hours directly on the app, something that was previously unheard of in Mauritius. Usually, people would have to call or email their brokers to request quotes and place trades, which often made the whole process cumbersome.
Zunko’s development follows a phased approach, with each phase designed to build upon the previous one and bring us closer to our ultimate goal. We started with Zunko Simulator, a paper trading app that allows users to practice trading in a risk-free environment. Phase 2, Zunko Pro, is the next step, targeting professional traders and retail investors with larger portfolios. Phase 3 will introduce a more accessible version of the platform, with lower fees and features that cater to a broader retail audience.
To better explain this phased approach, I would like to draw a parallel with Tesla’s strategy. Tesla initially launched the Model S, a high-end, premium electric car. While Tesla’s ultimate goal was to release a more affordable model (the Model 3), they first needed to prove the viability of their vision. The Model S allowed them to generate capital and showcase the technology needed to make electric cars attractive to the market and investors. If Tesla had tried to launch the Model 3 right away, they likely wouldn’t have been able to scale or secure the investment needed to bring that vision to life.
In the same way, Zunko Simulator and Zunko Pro are critical steps for us. They allow us to demonstrate the platform’s potential, attract users, and build a solid foundation. Zunko Pro, like the Model S, caters to a more professional audience and provides the advanced features needed to prove our model.
Once we’ve established that foundation, we’ll move on to Phase 3, which will bring a more accessible and affordable version of the platform to a wider retail audience, similar to how Tesla eventually launched the Model 3 for the mass market.
How do you envision the user experience on both the mobile and web app and what feedback have you received from users of the paper trading version?
Zunko Pro is designed for both retail and professional investors, although those at the very entry level may find our minimum deposit requirements a bit higher. However, user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many of our users have been eagerly awaiting the full launch, and while some have experienced frustration due to delays, they appreciate the value of the Zunko Simulator, which is available for free.
Our vision is to create a super user-friendly app, making it easy even for those with no financial background to navigate. The feedback has confirmed that we’re on the right path—users have found the app intuitive and are excited to trade seamlessly in global markets once we launch fully. We aim to combine simplicity and accessibility with the power of professional-grade tools.
What challenges did you face when developing the platform, and how did you overcome them?
Developing Zunko came with significant challenges. Raising funds was particularly difficult, as investors often saw the project as risky and philanthropic, rather than purely profit-driven. Building the right tech team was another major hurdle, but finding non-tech partners to help with operations, marketing, and compliance was just as challenging.
I ended up shouldering much of the responsibility myself, funneling profits from my other ventures to keep Zunko moving forward. Attempting to secure licenses from regulators and partnering with brokers willing to take a chance on our model were tough tasks. Many brokers were hesitant due to the costs involved in achieving this vision and especially the risks of doing that by entering a small market like Mauritius.
Despite these obstacles, my belief in Zunko’s potential to democratize trading in Mauritius and beyond kept me going, and I’ve been fortunate to see the project evolve into what it is today.
With the low trading fees and no minimum balance requirement, what strategies do you have in place to ensure the sustainability and profitability of Zunko?
Currently, we are in Phase 2 of our roadmap. This phase is easier to execute and more sustainable because our fees are not as low as they will be in Phase 3, and our costs are lower. We will be generating enough revenue from trades at this stage to sustain the platform as we prepare for the full launch of Phase 3.
The long-term strategy is to build momentum in Phase 2 and ensure we have a solid user base before transitioning to Phase 3, where fees will be reduced significantly. We are also considering raising additional funds between these phases to support the growth of Zunko. Each phase is designed to build on the success of the previous one, setting the foundation for a profitable and scalable model.
Can you discuss your plans for expanding Zunko beyond Mauritius and into other African countries?
Initially, we focused on expanding into Africa, but our vision has since evolved. For now, we’re not considering direct B2C expansion beyond Mauritius during Phase 2. However, our B2B strategy could lead to indirect expansion as early as Phase 2 through partnerships. While Africa remains a key focus, we are no longer limiting our scope solely to the continent.
Our long-term plans remain confidential, and we’re keeping details about Phase 4 a secret for the time being. When the time is right, we’ll reveal our next steps, but for now, the specifics of our expansion will remain under wraps.
How do you plan to educate potential users about trading, especially those who may be new to investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies?
In addition to the Zunko Academy, which will offer online courses on stock trading, we’ll run workshops and webinars where I will personally teach users how to trade and invest. Our goal is to ensure that new investors feel confident in navigating the markets.
We’ll also continue our efforts to promote financial literacy by running competitions with universities, as we’ve already done. These initiatives are designed to provide users with the education they need to make informed, strategic decisions when investing.
