Upstox allows opening demat accounts, IPO applications through WhatsApp

Recently turned unicorn Upstox has said that it will now allow investors to invest in initial public offerings (IPOs) and open demat account through WhatsApp. The company claims that it will be an industry-first initiative. These services are open to all registered Upstox users as well as non-registered users who have accounts with other brokers.
 
Upstox provides end-to-end support for IPO applications via WhatsApp, empowering customers by easing the process of account opening. Upstox had grown its customer base by 1 million in October 2021 alone, taking the total customer base to over 7 million. The company aims to increase its customer base to 10 million by the end of FY2022.
 
The startup introduced its new service on WhatsApp after launching a brand-new platform with user-friendly features and an intuitive design that makes investments effortless. Backed by extensive research, the new Upstox platform equips investors with an easy-to-use interface, handpicked market insights, and a wide range of investment choices, as per an official handout.
 
The key highlight of the latest feature is that all investors, whether they are registered with Upstox or not, can now subscribe to any IPO, without moving out of the WhatsApp chat window at any point during the application journey. With this integration, Upstox aims to achieve a five-fold growth in IPO applications.
 
The entire journey of account opening has also been made quick, easy and accessible. It takes just a few minutes now to open an account with Upstox via WhatsApp. Tabs such as ‘Upstox Resources’ and ‘Get Support’ provide customers with direct access to FAQs and all the necessary information about Upstox in real time with just a click.
 
“Today consumers want on-the-go access to investments and we at Upstox strive to offer superior technology-enabled investment solutions to customers. With an aim to further strengthen our customer base in deep India and encourage more millennials to invest, we have integrated with WhatsApp, which is being widely used by users across the country.
This integration would serve as an enabler for novice investors and make investing an easy, accessible and effortless experience. With a huge uptick in IPOs and investors rushing to invest in IPOs, we see this as an opportunity to encourage more investors to open an account and invest through Upstox. We are optimistic that we will close FY2022 with 10 million customers, from the current customer base of over 7 million,” Shrini Viswanath, co-founder, Upstox, said.
 
How to start transacting on Upstox via WhatsApp:

The customer needs to connect with Upstox’s verified WhatsApp profile number, 9321261098, to his/her ‘contacts’ on the mobile phone and send to this number from his/her mobile number
 
Steps for investing in an IPO with Upstox through WhatsApp

1. Say ‘Hi’ to WhatsApp Chat BOT ‘Uva’ on the official Upstox Whatsapp number - 9321261098
2. Using WhatsApp Chat BOT ‘Uva’, click on ‘IPO Application’
3. Enter the registered mobile number and OTP (One-time password (OTP) generated)
4. Click on ‘Apply for IPO’
5. Select the IPO which you want to subscribe

Steps for account opening with Upstox through WhatsApp

1. Using WhatsApp click on ‘Open an Account’
2. Enter mobile number (OTP generated)
3. Enter email address (OTP generated)
4. Enter Date of Birth
5. Enter your PAN details and the bot will direct you to the Upstox page for a few basic formalities and the process is complete!

It must be kept in mind that no documents will be uploaded over WhatsApp and no documents will be sent as an attachment over chat.
 
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