Senior Meraj Husen and two of his friends and classmates, Camilly Shrestha and Dikshya Upadhyaya, let their curiosity about credit cards lead them to development of an app that helps credit card users shop smarter. As international students, they had never experienced credit cards until they came to the U.S. Read about how they brought their idea to reality.
As international students, the idea of a credit card was completely new to Camilly Shrestha, Dikshya Upadhyaya, and myself, and the thought of getting money back after spending was even more surprising and exciting. Like everyone else, we loved the idea of “free money” through cashback and rewards. Our curiosity led us to dive deeper into how credit cards work, and that’s where the journey of Smart Credit began.
It all started at an idea jam session hosted by the WNE FinTech & AI Incubator, a program at Western New England University designed to support innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the fields of financial technology (FinTech) and artificial intelligence (AI). During a discussion, one of the Finance professors spoke about how much potential there is in financial technology to simplify people’s lives. That conversation sparked something in us. We started researching, brainstorming, and ultimately built a concept to help everyday credit card users make smarter financial decisions. When we presented our idea at the Pitch Competition in April 2025, hosted by Western New England University's College of Business, we won first place! That moment was the birth of Smart Credit. (I serve as COO, Camilly as CTO, and Dikshya as CMO/CFO.)
Managing multiple credit cards can get confusing. Most people don’t know which card offers the highest cashback or the best rewards for different types of purchases. Whether you’re buying coffee, booking a flight, or shopping online, chances are you’re leaving money on the table without realizing it. Smart Credit AI is a fintech app designed to make credit card use simpler, smarter, and more rewarding. The app uses AI and geo-location technology to help users choose the best credit card for every transaction in real time. When you’re about to make a purchase, Smart Credit sends a push notification recommending which of your existing credit cards will give you the maximum cashback, points, or rewards at that location. It’s instant, effortless, and ensures you never miss out on potential savings.
Since launching the free version, Smart Credit AI has gained more than 100 active users who are already saving money every day. From morning coffee runs to weekend shopping trips, users are now maximizing their rewards without the hassle of comparing credit card benefits manually. Our goal is to help people make the most of what they already have. You don’t need to be a financial expert to earn rewards—you just need Smart Credit. The upcoming premium version of Smart Credit AI will go beyond just real-time recommendations. By analyzing spending habits, it will suggest new credit cards that better fit your lifestyle—helping users maximize long-term financial benefits and rewards. Think of it as your personal finance assistant, right in your pocket.
Smart Credit AI is now available for free download on the Apple App Store:
👉 Smart Credit AI on the App Store
Learn more at our official website: smartcredit.tech
About the author
My name is Meraj Husen, and I’m a senior majoring in Computer Science and Business Management and a member of the Honors Program. I am the co-founder and COO of Smart Credit and the host of the @Letsgrowofficials podcast. Currently, I serve as the president of the Computer Science Club and the Muslim Students Association. I’m passionate about meeting new people, building meaningful connections, and engaging in thoughtful conversations.
