The Immigrant Founder Who Paid Off $140K in Debt Is Now Building the App He Wished Existed
Debtzero is transforming financial wellness for Millennials and Gen Z with personalized, AI-powered debt solutions.
By
Nov 19, 2025
NATIONWIDE - NOVEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) In the world of personal finance, there’s often a big gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. For millions of young professionals burdened by debt, that gap can feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Anishek Kamal, the founder of Debtzero, understands this struggle better than most. He’s been there himself, buried under over $140,000 in personal debt.
But instead of relying on generic advice or vague budgeting charts that only made him feel more overwhelmed, Anishek took a different approach, one rooted in his own lived experience. Today, he’s on a mission to help others break free from debt through Debtzero, a consumer fintech platform that uses AI to create personalized, actionable debt payoff plans.
The Personal Pain Behind Debtzero
Anishek’s story isn’t just that of a founder; it’s a deeply personal one. As an immigrant, he arrived in the U.S. with big dreams, only to quickly fall into the trap of credit card debt, student loans, and unexpected life expenses. By the time he realized how much he owed, the total hit a staggering $140,000.
Despite trying various debt management tools on the market, Anishek found that none of them helped him take real action. “Most tools just showed me where I stood,” he says. “They gave me charts, pie graphs, and balances, but none of them told me what I should do next. I didn’t need a chart; I needed a plan that would guide me step-by-step.”
Anishek’s frustration with existing financial tools led him to one conclusion: there was a massive gap in the market for a platform that not only tracks debt but helps users take actionable steps toward financial freedom. He made it his mission to fill that gap.
Turning the Problem Into a Solution
Debtzero was born from Anishek’s own journey to financial freedom. Over the course of two years, he paid off his debt using strategies he developed for himself, strategies that combined data, behavioral insights, and a relentless focus on action. Today, Debtzero offers exactly what Anishek needed during his time in debt: a clear, AI-driven plan that shows users the fastest, safest path to becoming debt-free.
But Debtzero isn’t just another budgeting tool. “Most tools track,” Anishek says. “Debtzero guides. We don’t just show you your balances; we give you a personalized plan to pay them off and help you execute it right from the app.”
Debtzero stands out from its competitors in three major ways:
Closing the Knowing vs. Doing Gap: Most financial apps give users insights but don’t take them the next step. Debtzero provides both the knowledge and the ability to act. Users can link all their accounts, receive a tailored debt payoff plan, and even automate payments directly from the platform.
AI That Adapts to Real Life: Unlike static calculators, Debtzero’s AI adapts to changing financial situations. Whether a user’s income fluctuates or an unexpected expense arises, the app recalculates the plan in real-time, making it a true financial co-pilot.
Founder-Market Fit: Anishek’s lived experience with debt makes him uniquely qualified to create a solution that resonates deeply with his target audience, Gen Z and Millennials. He didn’t build Debtzero from the outside looking in; he built it from the inside, informed by his own challenges and triumphs.
The Widespread Crisis of Debt Among Millennials and Gen Z
Debt is a pervasive issue in the U.S., especially for younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z are facing mounting student loan debt, rising housing costs, and stagnant wages. Many of them find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, making only the minimum payments and never seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Anishek is keenly aware of this crisis. “Young people are overwhelmed and stressed by their debt. They know they need help, but traditional tools don’t help them take action,” he says. “They’re stuck in a system that makes it too easy to stay in debt. Debtzero changes that. We provide a plan that not only shows you what to do but also gives you the tools to make it happen.”
Debtzero’s mission is simple: to give young people the clarity, control, and support they need to take charge of their financial future. Whether it’s paying off credit card debt, student loans, or other obligations, Debtzero is designed to make the process as seamless and straightforward as possible.
Why Traditional Financial Tools Fall Short
The vast majority of personal finance tools on the market today fall into two categories: budgeting trackers and static debt calculators. These tools may provide useful information, but they don’t address the fundamental problem facing those in debt: taking action.
Debtzero fills this gap by giving users a clear, actionable plan. Instead of showing users their balances and telling them to make minimum payments, Debtzero uses AI to analyze the user’s financial situation and create a personalized roadmap to pay off debt faster. It’s a comprehensive solution that combines insight with action.
A Future of Financial Wellness
Debtzero isn’t just about getting out of debt; it’s about building a new, holistic approach to financial wellness. “We’re starting with debt, but we’re building a personal finance manager that adapts to real life,” says Anishek. “Debtzero is designed for how people actually behave, not how financial institutions expect them to behave.”
The ultimate goal is to create a platform that evolves alongside users, helping them not only manage debt but also build a sustainable financial future. In the long term, Debtzero aims to be the go-to platform for financial planning, one that guides users through all aspects of their financial lives, from budgeting and saving to investing and retirement planning.
Why Debtzero Is Different: The Road to Financial Freedom
Debtzero’s unique approach to debt repayment is catching the attention of both early users and industry professionals alike. By focusing on personalized, actionable plans powered by AI, Debtzero is helping young people get out of debt faster and with less stress.
For Anishek Kamal, Debtzero is more than just a business; it’s a way to give back and help others avoid the struggles he faced. “When I was $140K in debt, I didn’t need another budgeting chart. I needed a plan I could trust and a way to take the next step. That’s exactly what we’re building at Debtzero.”
Debtzero is not just another financial app. It’s a revolution in the way we think about debt and personal finance.
Ready to take control of your debt?
We’re now live with beta testers! Try it out today and take the first step toward financial freedom. Sign up today to create your personalized debt payoff plan with Debtzero.
Follow Debtzero on Social Media
Stay updated and connected with Debtzero on our social media platforms:
