The Agritech Pavilion at this year’s Startup Mahakumbh, powered by Aavishkaar Group and led by Founder Vineet Rai, underscored the vibrant and collaborative spirit of agritech startup’s driving innovation and progress in the agricultural sector. Over the course of the 3 days, the Pavilion had transformed into a dynamic hub of agricultural innovation, bringing together policymakers, investors, and startups reimagining the future of farming in India.
Co-Chaired by CM Patil, CEO of KrishiKalpa Foundation, the Agritech Pavilion saw active participation by leading industry organizations such as NABARD, SBI Foundation, Next Bharat, Aavishkaar Capital’s Global Supply Chain Support Fund, Intellecap and Villgro India who all highlighted their commitment to advancing Agritech in India.
Member of the Organizing Committee of Startup Mahakumbh and Chair of the Agritech Pavilion, Vineet Rai, Founder and Vice Chairman, Aavishkaar Group said, “Startup Mahakumbh’s AgriTech Pavilion would like to attract indian and global startup with deep technology to create opportunity for the Indian farmer to be the solution for global food security.”
A key highlight was the visit by Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of India, who engaged with several pioneering agri-tech startups.
Key plenary highlights included an Inaugural Session on the Future of Agritech & Rural Commerce by Shaji KV, Chairman, NABARD, and Vikas Bali, CEO, Intellecap; Investor Pitch sessions from leading investors like Rema Subramanian, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Ankur Capital, Anisha Singh, Founding Partner, She Capital, Sunil K Goyal, MD and Fund Manager, YourNest Venture Capital, Abhishek Mittal, Partner, Aavishkaar Capital, and Arpit Agarwal, Investment Partner, Blume Ventures; Sessions from Agri Innovators like Anil Passary, MD, Urvarak Industries, Nidhi Pant, Co-founder, S4S Technologies, Srinivas Karavadi, President, Absolute AG, Lt Cdr Naveen Nehra (Retd.), Founder, zestleyorganics and Alekh Sanghera, Co-Founder and CEO of Farmart; a discussion on Tapping the Carbon Markets by Sanchayan Chakraborty, Partner & CEO, Aavishkaar Carbon Platform and Santosh Kumar Singh, Partner & MD, Intellecap, a strategic session on supporting startups by Aman Bhaiya, VP & Head of Strategy, SBI Foundation, a welcome address by Debasish Mishra, Chief GM, Delhi Circle, SBI, a session on “Bridging Capital for Agritech & Rural Innovation from Shashvat Rai, Partner, Aavishkaar Capital, CM Patil, CEO, Krishi Kalpa Foundation, and Debasish Mishra, a session on Krushak Odisha Unified Platform (KOUP) by Gaurav Goel, Founder & CEO, Samagra, and Anay Gogate, Program Lead, Samagra, illustrating how the Odisha Government is enabling startups to connect with farmers, a session by Ambassador Gurjit Singh, Board Chair at Intellecap, while Hemendra Mathur, Co-founder, ThinkAg and Venture Partner, Bharat Innovation Fund, took audiences through a knowledge-packed segment, followed by a talk on Open Network for Agriculture in UP by Dipika Prasad from Google India and Yuvraj Ahuja from IFC. Bharath Ganapathy, Sr. Program Manager, FIDE, made a presentation on the Unified Krishi Interface, a Masterclass on IPO readiness by Veenit Surana, Partner, EY India and a discussion on “The Liquidity Continuum: The Flywheel Unlocked” featuring Rohit Batra (Evolvence), Ishpreet Singh Gandhi (Stride Ventures), Vineet Rai (Aavishkaar Group), and Arvind Ganeshan (Axis Capital).
The Agritech Pavilion also witnessed the Aavishkaar Ultimate Agritech Pitch Award which recognized the best elevator pitches and the Aavishkaar Mahakumbh People’s Choice Award which recognized the best managed pods at the Agritech Pavilion. Both of these had prizes worth INR 20 lakhs. Across the two days 11 outstanding startups were rewarded.
The Aavishkaar Ultimate Agritech Pitch Award, for the best elevator pitches, was won across the 2 days by Everge Agroscience Pvt Ltd and Pravidhaan FPC, who each won a cash prize of 3 lakh rupees, while Agrolt Solutions Pvt Ltd and GramSe, emerged as the runner-up, receiving 2 lakh rupees. An Honourable Mention (₹1L) was awarded to BioFizz for its innovative approach.
The Aavishkaar Mahakumbh People’s Choice Award, for the best managed pods, went to Pravidhaan FPC Pvt Ltd (Winner – ₹3L) and Himfla Pvt Ltd (Runner-Up – ₹2L). The Aavishkaar Kisan Kranti Award of ₹1L each was conferred on four startups: Isaayu Agritech Pvt Ltd, Prishigo Food and Beverages, Ascription Technology, and Dhalava.
A few additional highlights from the Agritech Pavilion were the Innovator Showcase where 100+ Agritech innovators from across India who showcased their ground breaking solution at the Pavilion, and Aavishkaar Foundation led college, Govt. Polytechnic Deoria, whose idea Vayuputra-An AI enabled Agri drone, received a Certificate of Achievement, Special Jury Award for the Futurepreneurs Challenge, selected from over 2000+ applicants pan India and was the only Govt. college to be in the Top 10. It was a moment of pride for us at Aavishkaar Group as Minister Jayant Chaudhury, declared the winners.
Over the course of the three days, the Agritech Pavilion had transformed into a dynamic hub of agricultural innovation, bringing together policymakers, investors, and startups reimagining the future of farming in India.
About Aavishkaar Group:
Aavishkaar Group is a global pioneer in taking an entrepreneurship-based approach towards development. The Group‘s platforms are focused on developing the impact ecosystem in the continents of Asia and Africa and manages assets in excess of USD 1.45 Billion across Equity and Credit. With 9,800+ employees present across India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Kenya, the Group has so far disbursed capital in excess of USD 5.1 Billion and supported 144 Million underserved customers.
The Group’s ecosystems include Aavishkaar Capital – Impact fund manager focused on Global South, Arohan- One of India’s largest & most digitally advanced microfinance institution (MFI) targeting low income households, Ashv Finance- Phygital NBFC, offering unique cash flow based business loans to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Intellecap – Global Impact advisory firm providing Consulting, Investment banking and Inclusive networking platform.
Over the last two decades, the Group has taken an entrepreneurship approach towards development. By leveraging capital, knowledge and networks, the Group provides a strong differentiated capability as an Impact platform, with each business rooted in strong fundamental and common principles of access, inclusion and sustainability. The Group actively contributes to 14 out of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
