Vizag-based ‘Payzo’ offers instant cashback on purchases from local stores

A Visakhapatnam-based commerce platform called ‘Payzo’ has been launched with an objective of delivering instant rewards on local purchases.

It has been built to strengthen neighbourhood businesses by combining digital discovery with instant cashback rewards. The mobile application enables users to discover nearby stores, make payments directly through the app, and earn cashback on everyday purchases — making local shopping more rewarding, say founders Shankar D, an entrepreneur from Visakhapatnam, and Vyshnavi Chenna from Hyderabad.

“The founding team brings together strong local market understanding and execution expertise. While Mr. Shankar leads marketing strategies, growth initiatives, and brand development, I oversee technology, product execution, and overall operations,” Ms. Vyshnavi told The Hindu.

“Our aim is to make local shopping more rewarding, while supporting neighbourhood businesses. We have launched it in July 2025,” says Mr. Shankar.

“We want Payzo to create a strong and sustainable ecosystem for local commerce through reliable technology and seamless experience. For any other app, the reward points are definitely a promotion strategy. For us, cashback is our USP (unique selling proposition). And is guaranteed for next 100 years,” adds Ms. Vyshnavi.

Using location-based technology, Payzo allows users to browse local businesses based on category, distance, and discount percentage. Once a payment is completed, cashback is credited to the user’s Payzo balance and can be redeemed on future purchases at partner stores.

For merchants, Payzo offers free onboarding through a dedicated vendor mobile application. Store owners can list their businesses, manage discounts, and access transaction insights without paying any onboarding fee or commission. All discounts offered on the platform are fully merchant-funded, positioning Payzo as a low-risk customer engagement and retention tool for small and medium enterprises, the founders assert.

Looking ahead, Payzo plans to expand its offerings with features such as bill payments and product-based bookings, further strengthening its role in everyday local commerce, they conclude.